- Published:
- Sunday 3 October 2021
A new Chairperson and six board members are being appointed today to the Respect Victoria board as it continues its important work to change the attitudes and behaviours that lead to family violence and violence against women.
The appointments coincide with the third anniversary of Respect Victoria, a statutory authority established as Australia’s first dedicated primary prevention agency under the Prevention of Family Violence Act 2018, fulfilling a key recommendation of Victoria’s nation-leading Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Dr Kate Fitz-Gibbon will serve as the board’s Chair for the next three years and brings a range of skills and professional expertise to the role, including extensive experience within the prevention of family violence sector.
Dr Fitz-Gibbon is the Director of the Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre and has previously served as the Chair of the Barwon Centre against Sexual Assault Governance Board and as a board member for Respect Victoria.
The board is also joined by Maxine McKew, Hang Vo, Claudia Fatone and Karinda Taylor, alongside Rodney Jackson and Liana Papoutsis, who have been reappointed for a second term. They will join ongoing board director, Dr Wei Leng Kwok.
The new board brings together a strong combination of leadership experience, expertise in the prevention of family violence, and a range of different perspectives and lived experiences that will drive forward Respect Victoria’s mission to build a Victoria free from violence.
Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams thanked outgoing Chair Melanie Eagle and inaugural board members Dr Andi Diamond, Julia Mason and Steve Walsh, for their valuable contributions and dedication, and congratulated Ms Eagle on her appointment to the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Trust board.
Respect Victoria delivers important research to build the evidence base of what works, as well as community campaigns and activities to change the culture of gender inequality that allows family violence to happen in the first place.
Over the past year, Respect Victoria has delivered a number of impactful campaigns such as Pride, Respect, Equality, continued to build the evidence base of the drivers of family violence, and led two pillars of the Victorian Government's Free from Violence strategy to prevent family violence.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams
“I welcome the new board members and look forward to working with them to create lasting change for a future free from family violence - where all Victorians are safe, empowered and respected.”
“I thank the outgoing chair and board members for their critical contributions to Respect Victoria’s achievements over its first three years.
“The work to change the attitudes, behaviours, social norms and inequalities that give rise to violence remains as vital as ever.”