2019 was a year packed with milestones. In March Respect Victoria launched its first Strategic Plan 2019–2022 capturing the agency's vision, purpose and identifying five pillars of focus to drive evidence-informed primary prevention across Victoria.
The Victorian community connected with Respect Victoria through our behaviour change campaigns including Respect Women: 'Call It Out' and the Respect Older People: 'Call It Out'.
Tasked with championing prevention – that is, stopping family violence and violence against women before it starts - the campaigns promoted bystander intervention. They raised awareness about the small, innocuous moments where violence is permitted through an unwillingness to call out inappropriate behaviour. The campaign gave people the right to expect more and to take action.
Complementing our public facing behaviour change campaigns, Respect Victoria was pleased to partner with VicHealth and the Office for Women to deliver two forums for practitioners and policy makers, examining workplace equality and promoting bystander action.
While research into the structures, norms and practices that drive violence against women is well established, there is still much to be done to achieve our goal of a Victoria free from violence. Respect Victoria initiated a range of research and evaluation projects including commencing work on a new Family Violence Data Platform as well as supporting the Office for Women to develop a framework for monitoring and evaluating primary prevention programs.
Respect Victoria launched into the United Nations’ annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with Melbourne’s Walk Against Family Violence on Monday 25 November. As principal partner Respect Victoria marched side by side with auspice organisations safe steps, No To Violence, Domestic Violence Victoria, Emerge Support and the City of Melbourne.
As the year draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on some of the highlights of our first year of operations. There is much to do.
The summer season is touted as a happy time of year. We know for many people it can be stressful, lonely and in the very worst cases, dangerous. It is with great sadness we acknowledge the 53rd recorded death of a woman killed by violence in Australia in 2019.
After a short break, we will return to work in 2020 and continue to strive for a Victoria where people are safe, equal and respected - free from all forms of family violence and violence against women.
Thank you for your engagement and support in 2019. We wish you a safe, relaxing and enjoyable break over the summer period. Respect Victoria will be closed between 25 December 2019 and 1 January 2020 and will reopen on 2 January 2020.
Should you require immediate support during this time please refer to the Respect Victoria contact us page for a range of available support services.