When we talk about preventing family violence and violence against women, what we mean is that we don’t accept this violence as inevitable.
How does prevention work?
Prevention works by promoting healthy, safe and equal environments, behaviours and attitudes; recognising the drivers of violence and taking action to change those conditions.
In action, it can include:
- community initiatives, programs and activities that encourage shared change around us
- workplace procedures, institutional policies and legislation that promote equality, safety and respect for all
- campaigns, media and education that encourages us to reflect on our individual attitudes and behaviours.
Efforts to prevent violence against women must be inclusive of all women. That means First Nations women, queer and trans women, women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, women with disabilities, women from different socioeconomic backgrounds, older women, and young women.
Addressing the drivers of violence
Challenge condoning of violence against women
This can look like:
- not minimising the reality of violence, or joking about inequality
- supporting and believing victims when they speak up
- media focusing on the accountability of the perpetrator, rather than the behaviour of the victim.
By shifting the attitudes and practices that trivialise, excuse or justify violence, we create a culture where women are safer.
Promote women’s independence and decision-making
This can look like:
- sharing decisions about household finances
- workplace policies that encourage women from all backgrounds into leadership
- universal access to affordable childcare.
When we uphold women’s rights and freedoms, we show that they are valued.
Challenge outdated and harmful gender stereotypes and roles
This can look like:
- sharing housework in a way that’s equitable
- workplaces that enable fathers to take parental leave and be primary carers
- encouraging men to study caring professions like nursing or childcare.
Giving people the freedom to be themselves builds a culture where everyone thrives.
Support men and boys to develop healthy masculinities and positive, supportive relationships
This can look like:
- teaching boys that it’s okay to express their emotions safely, including sadness
- consent education in schools
- making male-dominated spaces inclusive for everyone.
When men and boys are free from harmful masculine stereotypes, they are more likely to enjoy healthy, respectful relationships.
Address reinforcing factors of violence
Reinforcing factors can affect the likeliness, frequency and severity of violence against women and family violence. Managing these can involve:
- Reducing the long-term impacts of exposure to violence, and preventing further exposure. This can involve primary prevention, early intervention, crisis response and recovery working together to end violence.
- Challenging ideas that violence and aggression are the only way to be masculine. These ideas are harmful to men, as well as everyone around them.
- Strengthening prosocial behaviour. Promoting behaviours that build empathy, respect, care and concern for women.
- Addressing backlash and resistance. This includes online misogyny campaigners who try to re-establish male dominance and uphold the status quo.
Promote broader social justice and equality
Intersecting forms of oppression and discrimination increase inequality and the conditions where violence can thrive. Acting against racism, colonialism, ableism, homophobia and transphobia, ageism and/or class discrimination creates communities, organisations and institutions that value safety, equality, respect and personal autonomy.