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State-wide crisis line providing 24 hour counselling, support and information for women and their children Referral to refuges and outreach services Information and support to family and friends Emergency interim accommodation Accommodation options for women and their children Media Advocacy Project

Violence against women - Key determinants Gender Inequality An adherence to rigidly defined gender roles expressed institutionally, culturally, organisationally and individually (VicHealth 2007). Community attitudes that condone violence as a means of settling disputes, that support (or provide weak sanctions against) violence against women, and that support ‘the privacy of the Family’ (VicHealth 2007).

Providing women’s perspective and lived experience Women as advocates, rather than ‘victims’ – Giving voice to women’s strength Challenging stereotypes by providing diverse voices Passionate, authentic and engaging Making statistics real: Real women, real experience research (not just research findings or statistics) – Connecting with people to change attitudes Local or comparative (matching up speakers with audience)

2012 Project funded in 2007 by Vichealth Initial phase: Recruited 14 women Now in phase III - Funding extended until 2014 2012 WD administers a central pool of approximately 40 advocates The Eastern Media Advocacy Project (pilot) Training pilot Our project was one of 32 primary prevention projects that received funding from VicHealth in 2007We wanted to make women feel safe about speaking out. We wanted to encourage women to become advocates for all women and children We wanted women to learn how to be able to speak about family violence yet not re-traumatise themselves, put themselves in danger or feel uncomfortable We wanted women to feel comfortable with public speaking We wanted women to feel in control when speaking to the media We wanted to become a reliable, professional “GO TO” service, that the media and other organisations could approach for media comment. We wanted to work with women to develop key messages as a means of influencing the wider community.

Speechwriting and public speaking Media techniques Practical exercises

Family violence is only about black eyes and broken bones Family violence is a private family matter – it’s none of our business No one can help He only hurts her when he is drunk, he is stressed, he is depressed etc He is still a good Dad. It’s only because he loves her, he is jealous, he want to know where she is. She must have asked for it, she pushes his buttons, it was her fault. It can’t be that bad or she would just leave.

Key messages: “Everyone can help to prevent violence against women by interrupting or intervening into sexist or violent attitudes and behaviours” “We can build a community that is free from violence”