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Australia Launches World-First Framework To Fight Domestic Violence

Our Watch, the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) and Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) have today launched 'Change the story: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia'.

The world-first initiative launches to change the story of violence against women and their children in Australia.

It will mean Australia now has a framework for a consistent and integrated national approach to prevent domestic violence, bringing together the latest international evidence on what drives violence against women, and what works to prevent it.

"This is a watershed moment," says Our Watch Chair Natasha Stott Despoja.

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Australia Launches World-First Framework To Fight Domestic Violence. Photo: YouTube

"With 'Change the Story' we are better placed than ever before to end violence against women and children in Australia."

"As we have seen with other major social changes, such as smoking prevention and the wearing of seat-belts, we need governmental, organisational and systematic change across the community," she added.

ANROWS CEO Heather Nancarrow said that through extensive research they found gender as a major theme in violence victimisation and perpetration over any other variable.

Natasha Stott Despoja appeared on Sunrise to discuss the launch. Photo: Channel 7

"This Framework will help to change the story on gender inequality and violence against women," says Nancarrow. "Building communities that are safe, respectful and free from violence requires effective, and evidence-based, primary prevention strategies."

VicHealth Chief Executive Officer, Jerril Rechter says that the state and territory governments are ready to take the framework to a national level, building on the previous work undertaken in Victoria and focusing on prevention.

'Let's change the story: Violence against women in Australia'. Photo: YouTube

"Our research shows that too many people still think violence against women occurs because of individual stress or anger management issues, or that men can’t control themselves."

"But the fact is we need to focus on gender equality and respectful relationships if we want to make a difference," Rechter added.

"Across sectors like sports, business, media and advertising, education and all levels of government, everyone has a reinforcing role to play in changing the story that ends in violence against women."