Family and gender-based violence prevention

Family and gender-based violence is when your partner, ex-partner, carer family member or someone you have a ‘family-like’ relationship with uses threatening, controlling or violent behaviour.

Family and gender-based violence can include a range of abusive behaviours: 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.

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

Council is committed to:

  • implementing initiatives aligned with the Gender Equality Act 2020 (Council Plan 2021-2025)
  • developing a gender equity policy and action plan (Council Plan 2021-2025)
  • incorporating family and gender-based violence strategies into our emergency management responsibilities (Council Plan 2021-2025)
  • preventing family and gender-based violence (6.1 Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025)
  • facilitating effective referral mechanisms between key stakeholders (6.2 Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025)
  • raising the profile of the prevention of violence at events and facilities to ensure safety, access and inclusion for all (6.3 Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025)
  • ensuring the Emergency Management team works towards best practice to prevent family and gender-based violence (6.4 Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025).

Mount Alexander Family Violence Prevention Network

The Mount Alexander Family Violence Prevention Network (MAFVPN) is a broad collaborative partnership to provide advocacy and strategic support to address primary prevention of violence against women.

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.

Key stakeholders came together to meet during 16 Days of Activism in November 2024 to discuss the re-establishment of this network. The membership consists of organisations that provide services within the Mount Alexander Shire and/or those that are committed to reducing family violence in Mount Alexander.

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?

 

Gender Equality Act 2020

Council understands that gender equality is a fundamental human right and that gender inequality is a driving factor of family violence, violence against women and gender based violence.

Workplaces can play an important role in addressing and changing behaviour by challenging existing societal norms, such as gender inequalities, violence towards women and the role of women in society. Addressing stereotypical attitudes, gendered norms and gendered structures in the workplace can have a broader flow on effect that supports gender equality in society and ultimately working towards ending family violence and violence against women.

In 2020, the Victorian Government enacted the Gender Equality Act. The Act is recognised as an important opportunity for council to deepen and extend our commitment to gender equality and to continue to build upon our foundational work.

The Act requires local councils, to take positive action towards achieving workplace gender equality by:

  1. promoting gender equality
  2. conducting gender impact assessments
  3. undertaking a workplace gender audit
  4. creating a Gender Equality Action Plan
  5. reporting on progress.

Other Family Violence Networks

Council Officers sit on a number of family violence committees, networks and communities of practices in order to work collaboratively and stay up to date with best practice in our region on primary prevention initiatives to end gender based and family violence.

Council is a member of the Women's Health Loddon Mallee Collective Action for Respect and Gender Equality Act (CARE) Partnership which aims to connect, align and support organisations, clubs and community groups in their commitment to forwarding gender equality in their communities and preventing violence against women. To find out more or to join the regional CARE partnership please visit Women's Health Loddon Mallee CARE Partnership/

Council is also represented on the:

  • Women’s Health Loddon Mallee Prevention of Violence Against Women Community of Practice (CoP)
  • Women’s Health Loddon Mallee Gender Equity CoP
  • Municipal Association of Victoria Gender Equality & Prevention of Violence Against Women and Gender Based Violence Network

If you're experiencing family and gender-based violence, you're not alone.

Access support services

If you are in immediate danger call 000

 

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