People in Ballarat are being asked to share their thoughts and ideas for what’s needed to prevent gendered violence.
The Ballarat Community Saturation Model is about every part of the community coming together to take action to create a Ballarat where everyone can be safe, equal and respected.
Building on the co-design process, an online survey has launched on the Engage Victoria website for people in Ballarat to share their perspectives, ideas and insights on preventing gendered violence.
Quotes attributable to Respect Victoria CEO, Helen Bolton
“The question being posed to the community is seeking to better understand what it would look like for everyone in Ballarat to be safe - in their relationships, at work, at school, online and in the community - and what needs to change to make that happen.”
“One year on from the announcement of this project we have built strong partnerships and connections with organisations, industries and services in Ballarat, and this next step in the process will help us hear from any community member who wishes to contribute. Local knowledge, stories, and expertise are key to building a model that works.”
Throughout the past 12 months, Respect Victoria has been working alongside a working group of community members, local community leaders and advocates, services, schools, and sports clubs to understand what is needed to prevent gendered violence in Ballarat.
As part of the co-design process, the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) is undertaking conversations with local culturally and racially marginalised communities.
Quotes attributable to Centre for Multicultural Youth Team Leader, Shiree Pilkinton
“The conversations we’re having are surfacing not just challenges, but also ideas — about how to close gaps in services, raise awareness, and strengthen community understanding.”
“It’s essential that people from diverse cultural backgrounds feel genuinely heard and valued in this work. This project is modelling what true co-design looks like — placing community voices at the centre and embracing the principle of ‘nothing about us without us.’”
Information collected from the Engage Victoria survey will be combined with other community consultation to create a bigger picture of what’s happening and what’s needed in Ballarat. Together these insights will inform the violence prevention strategies used in the saturation model.
The saturation model is an ongoing collaboration with the Ballarat community. Organisations and community members are encouraged to sign up to the saturation model newsletter to stay informed of developments and opportunities to create a Ballarat where everyone can be safe, equal and respected.
Quote attributable to Women's Health Grampians CEO, Jennie Courtney
“As a community we have come together to say that gender-based violence needs to end. We know that we need to tackle this issue at all levels of our community – and a lot of work is already happening across our businesses and community groups through the Communities of Respect and Equality Alliance. Respect Victoria’s saturation model provides us with a significant opportunity to elevate what works well and address the gaps on the ground.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Natalie Hutchins
“This is an opportunity for the Ballarat community to help shape a future where women and children are safe, respected and free from family and sexual violence.”
“We know community is an important part of prevention – actions designed by locals, for locals, have a powerful impact.”