Monitoring, evaluation and learning

To prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women, it is important to monitor, evaluate and learn from existing and emerging primary prevention initiatives. By building the evidence and gaining an understanding of impact and outcomes, we can improve primary prevention programs and continue working towards a future where everyone is safe, equal and respected.  

What is monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) and why is it needed? 

To strengthen the evidence base and prevent family violence and violence against women in all its forms.  

Monitoring is a systematic process for reviewing data during an intervention to track real-time progress against objectives and goals. It helps understand what’s going on, as we’re going along.  

Evaluation is the application of a ‘value judgment’ to data and information about a project to identify if it is meeting a set of identifiable goals, and why or why not. 

Learning results in information being used to inform continuous improvements in an intervention, enable sharing of knowledge and evidence, and highlighting the progress and success of an intervention.   

Free From Violence

Free from Violence is the Victorian Government's strategy to prevent all forms of family violence and violence against women. 

The Free from Violence Monitoring and Evaluation Strategic Framework (PDF) is for organisations leading or funding prevention programs and initiatives under Free from Violence. It can also be used as guidance for any organisation working in primary prevention of family violence. For more information, see the Free from Violence Monitoring and Evaluation Strategic Framework FAQs [PDF]

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Toolkit

The monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) toolkit helps primary prevention practitioners to monitor and evaluate projects, including those funded under Free from Violence.