This report captures the highlights and achievements of our work over the 2023-24 financial year.
Download the PDF, or read the 2023-24 Annual Report online.
Respect Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal peoples throughout Victoria as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waterways on which we rely. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We proudly acknowledge Aboriginal communities throughout Victoria and their ongoing strength in practising the world’s oldest living cultures.
We acknowledge the significant and ongoing impacts of colonisation and commit to working alongside First Nations communities to effect change. We recognise the ongoing leadership role of these communities in addressing and preventing family violence and violence against women, and will continue to work in collaboration with First Peoples to eliminate these forms of violence from all communities.
Aboriginal peoples continue to be impacted by the cumulative effects of individual, institutional and societal violence, colonisation and racism over generations. This has contributed to the severity and disproportionate impact of family violence on Aboriginal women, families and communities to this day, and created the conditions that significantly increase the risks and barriers to accessing support.
Respect Victoria acknowledges that self-determination is the foundation for better outcomes for Aboriginal communities. True self-determination means that Aboriginal peoples and communities are at the centre of approaches to address community experiences of family violence and violence against women. This includes recognising and respecting the inherent strength and diversity of Aboriginal peoples, families and communities across Victoria, and the leadership role of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in violence prevention.
Respect Victoria’s work to prevent family violence against Aboriginal peoples and violence against Aboriginal women will be informed by the principles of self-determination set out in Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way – Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families. We are firmly committed to working in collaboration with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to create a more equitable, respectful and safe community.
Respect Victoria acknowledges the significant impact of family violence and violence against women on individuals, families and communities, and the strength and resilience of the children, young people and adults who have, and are still, experiencing this violence. We pay our respects to those who did not survive, and to their loved ones.
In accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994, I am pleased to present Respect Victoria’s Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2024.
Under section 53 of the Financial Management Act 1994 the Assistant Treasurer has approved Respect Victoria’s financials being included in the accounts of its portfolio department (the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)) from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. For further detail, refer to the DFFH Annual Report (see Disclosure Index).
Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon
2 October 2024
I, Kate Fitz-Gibbon, on behalf of the Responsible Body, certify that Respect Victoria has no Material Compliance Deficiency with respect to the applicable Standing Directions under the Financial Management Act 1994 and Instructions.
Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon
Chair of the Board
