The Andrews Labor Government is continuing to work toward a Victoria free from family violence, with a significant boost in funding for community groups and organisations across the state.

Minister for the Prevention of Violence Fiona Richardson today announced a further $1.2 million for the Community Partnerships for Primary Prevention Program.

A total of $3.85 million worth of grants now support a number of new or existing partnerships between businesses, schools, workplaces and community settings to help drive local community action to prevent family violence and other forms of violence against women.

Wyndham City Council’s Ready Steady Together Partnership was one of 34 organisations and partnerships across the state to receive up to $150,000 of funding to work with women at a local level to prevent family violence and other forms of violence against women.

The Ready Steady Together Partnership will receive $120,000 to develop a primary prevention program to address family violence by improving access to information and support for expecting and new parents from the South Sudanese and Indian communities, and the communities of Burma. Wyndham City Council will partner with Wyndham Community Education Centre and Drummond Street Services.

Additionally, Women’s Health West will receive $135,000 to develop a community prevention action for greater community engagement and capacity-building around domestic violence prevention, and Domestic Violence Victoria (DV Vic) will receive $80,000 to development and implement a western metropolitan regional action plan for communications around family violence prevention.

This grants program supports the ongoing investment and effort in Victoria to help end family violence and supports the key actions arising from Free from Violence: Victoria’s Prevention Strategy, an integral element of the government’s broader family violence system reforms.

A full list of successful applicants can be found here http://www.vic.gov.au/women/family-violence-prevention/community-partnerships-for-primary-prevention-grants.html

Quotes attributable to Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, Fiona Richardson

“We know communities working together have the greatest impact on reducing family violence and violence against women and that is why we are investing in these partnerships.”

 “Prevention will only be effective when the whole community is involved in changing attitudes and challenging the behaviours that can lead to family and gender-based violence.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas

“Community organisations, businesses and sporting and social groups all play a crucial role in challenging the attitudes that lead to family violence. These projects will ensure prevention work reaches people at a local level”.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Altona, Jill Hennessy

“The advocacy and education that will be strengthened from these partnerships is fundamental in our work to create a safe and equal community, for all Victorians”.