Family and gender-based violence
Mount Alexander Shire Council fully supports the right of every person to live without fear of, or actual, violence and is actively working to increase safety for family and gendered violence community members by working on prevention activities and advocating for appropriate, inclusive and timely services.
Family violence is when your partner, ex-partner, carer family member, or someone you have a ‘family-like’ or intimate relationship with uses threatening, controlling or violent behaviour.
Family violence can include verbal, emotional, psychological, financial, physical, sexual, and elder abuse, as well as intimidation and threats. It’s used to maintain power and control in relationships. Although family violence is most often a crime committed by men against women, it also occurs when women use violence against men and in LGBTIQA+ relationships.
In Victoria, gender-based violence is any physical or non-physical harm directed at a person or group based on their gender. It is deeply rooted in gender inequality, power imbalances, and harmful stereotypes. While it affects people of all genders, it disproportionately impacts women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.” (from Respect Victoria).
No matter what form it takes, violence is never acceptable.
We are actively working with the community to reduce family and gender-based violence in the following ways:
Council's commitment to preventing family and gender-based violence
Mount Alexander Shire Council fully support the right of every person to live without fear of or actual violence and is actively working to increase safety for family and gendered violence community members by working on prevention activities and advocating for appropriate, inclusive and timely services.
Council is committed to:
- Implementing initiatives aligned with the Gender Equality Act 2020 (Council Plan 2021-2025)
- Advocating for more place-based services to respond to the complex needs of our community including alcohol and other drugs, family violence, homelessness, mental health and allied health services. (Council Plan 2025-2029)
- Preventing violence and promoting gender equity (Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-2029)
Mount Alexander Family Violence Prevention Network
Mount Alexander Shire Council is committed to changing behaviours and attitudes that contribute to family violence in its community through promotion of gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence.
Council coordinates and co-chairs two family and gendered violence networks with a diverse range of stakeholders to provide advocacy and strategic support to address primary prevention of violence. These networks are delivered in partnership with the Centre for Non-Violence and LMPHU. Network one focuses on systems and strategy and network two focuses on community and prevention.
By working together and sharing expertise and skills, council strives to reduce family violence so that everyone can live in a community free from violence and feel safe and included.
To find out more contact Council's Community Project Officer in the Community Partnerships team on 03 5471 1700 or email info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
16 Days of Activism Against Gender based Violence
Each year, from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December, World Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism campaign calls for action against one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights – violence against women.
Find out more on our 16 Days of Activism page.
Are You Safe At Home? Day
10 May is Are You Safe at Home? Day. It’s an opportunity to ask someone in your life, ‘are you safe at home?’ This year, start a conversation to end family violence.
If you’re worried someone you know might be experiencing family violence, it can be hard to know what to do. But you don’t need to be an expert. By just asking, listening and believing, you can make a huge difference.
To find out more visit Safe and Equal Are you Safe at Home?
If you're experiencing family and gender-based violence, you're not alone.
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