In February 2024, Greater Shepparton City Council was awarded $250,000 from the Victorian Government as part of the second round of the Free from Violence Local Government Program.
Launched in 2022, this grant is part of a broader $3 million state initiative to enable 27 councils across Victoria through 2025 to tackle family violence and violence against women.
This entails implementing the Local Government Guide to Primary Prevention of Family Violence in collaboration with Family Safety Victoria, Local Government Victoria, the Municipal Association of Victoria and other local councils.
“We’re significantly investing in our local communities to engage in important family violence prevention programs,” state Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said.
“Every Victorian has the right to be treated with respect at home, work or in their community.”
Council’s strategy and community involvement
Council received the funding allocation from the government to appoint a part-time, temporary project co-ordinator to lead this initiative until April 2027.
The Local Government Guide to Primary Prevention of Family Violence is a handbook that helps local councils develop plans to prevent family violence before it starts.
It’s a detailed map that guides councils on how to use their roles and resources — from policy-making to community services — to discourage and reduce violence.
“We are committed to taking a whole-of-council approach to embedding primary prevention of family violence and the violence against women,” council acting director of community Karen Liversidge said.
Primary Connect Shepparton chief executive Tricia Quibell said the funding would help to engage the broader community.
“The new initiative and funding for local government to engage with the community and businesses in preventing family violence are another exciting opportunity to focus on addressing factors that contribute to FV at a local level and engage our community about how we can all contribute to preventing FV,” she said.
The guide aims to offer practical advice on creating safer, more respectful environments by promoting positive changes in attitudes and behaviours within the community.
It also aims to collaborate with local groups and businesses, ensuring everyone works together to tackle this issue by providing essential advice to councils on how to integrate family violence prevention into their daily operations and services.
“Like us, the Greater Shepparton City Council’s workers are a part of the community,” ARC Justice director of strategy and impact Kate Clohesy said.
“This program equips them to be champions of the attitudes we know help prevent violence both in the work they do in the community and as individuals, contributing to sporting clubs, schools, religious groups and in the myriad interactions community members have each day.”
Implementation and impact
Council will appoint a part-time, temporary project co-ordinator to lead the initiative until April 2027.
The role will be supported by the Community Wellbeing Department and will focus on initiating and guiding the project.
It will start with a review of council’s current practices to identify what’s working and what areas need improvement.
Following this, a detailed plan will be developed, focusing on public education, policy development and building partnerships with local organisations.
“We have greater influence collectively to shift attitudes and behaviours throughout the community,” Ms Quibell said.
The plan includes outreach to diverse and at-risk community groups to ensure prevention strategies are inclusive and culturally appropriate.
Additionally, council will collaborate with local businesses, educational institutions and community groups to enhance their role in preventing family violence.
“By creating a layered approach throughout the community with consistent messaging, we can create a cohesive approach to educating the community and supporting victim-survivors and children along with holding perpetrators accountable for their actions and challenging the justifications used to excuse behaviour,” Ms Quibell said.
Evaluation and future steps
The effectiveness of these initiatives will be monitored through an evaluation framework developed with the funding partners.
This framework will consist of regular updates and a detailed final review to assess the overall impact of the project and ensure that the programs remain relevant and flexible for future needs.
If you aren’t safe and need help, you are not alone — support is available:
- 1800RESPECT: National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service — 1800 737 732
- Lifeline: Crisis support and suicide prevention — 13 11 14
- Safe Steps: 24/7 family violence response centre — 1800 015 188
- Men’s Referral Service: For men seeking help for their violent behaviour — 1300 766 491
- Kids Helpline: Counselling service for young people aged five to 25 — 1800 55 1800