Our policy positions

Coercive control and the primary prevention of family violence

Following the National Summit on Women’s Safety, Respect Victoria is calling for primary prevention to be placed at the heart of all national coercive control solutions. The next National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children must place a strong focus on preventing violence before it begins. 

Respect Victoria has put together a position paper outlining clear actions that the federal government can take to prevent coercive control and all forms of family violence. 

Primary prevention priorities for the National Summit on Women's Safety

Ahead of the National Summit on Women’s Safety in September 2021, Respect Victoria is calling for delegates, policy-makers and influencers to champion primary prevention. The next National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children must place a strong focus on stopping violence before it starts, with a focus on all forms of family violence. 

Respect Victoria has put together key priorities that the Federal government and policy makers should and must focus on to ensure we can all continue to focus on preventing family violence and violence against women. 

Renewal of Safe and Strong: Victoria’s Gender Equality Strategy 

Respect Victoria is pleased to make this submission on the renewal of Victoria’s Gender Equality Strategy, Safe and Strong. Respect Victoria welcomes the decision to extend Safe and Strong for a three-year period and to elevate safety as one of four overarching themes. This submission focuses on ways that outcomes related to safety can be achieved through strategic integration of gender equality and primary prevention initiative.  

Advocacy on structural and systemic discrimination

Gender inequality, ageism, ableism, homophobia, racism and the ongoing impacts of colonialism and dispossession:  like a torch in the dark, COVID-19 has shone a light on the inequality and discrimination that drives family violence and violence against women. Now is the time to send a message to government, industry, organisations and communities: we need to “build back better.”  To support your advocacy in creating a more equal and safer Victoria, Respect Victoria has prepared the actions decision-makers can take to address discrimination and inequality under COVID-19.