CITY OF CASEY

The City of Casey is committed to working with our community to change attitudes and prevent family violence. Family Violence 01 Prevention Strategy

Contents Our vision is for the City of Casey to be a family-friendly city where women and children feel safe in Introduction 02 Building on our history of working their homes and neighbourhoods, to prevent family violence 02 Strategy 04 and live free from family violence. Why Local Government? The Role of Council in the Prevention of Violence Against Women 04 Figure 1: Alignment of Council Plans 04 Figure 2: Council’s reach for family violence prevention across the community 05 Figure 3: Socio-ecological model 06 – 3.1. Causes of Family Violence – 3.2. Reinforcing/Contributing Factors in Family Violence – 3.3. The scale of the problem

Table 1: Comparative family violence rates 2011–2016 08 Figure 4: Family incident rates per 100,000 recorded by Victoria Police 08

Policy and Legislative Content 08 Our Action Plan for Preventing Family Violence 10 Seven Guiding Principles 10 Five Strategic Directions 11 Family 01 Community Participation Programs 02 Partnerships to Foster Collaboration Violence 03 Community Engagement and Action 04 Council Leadership Prevention 05 Research and Advocacy Strategy Acknowledgments 11

This strategy is an extract from the City of Casey Family Violence Strategy adopted by Council on 15 May 2018. For full Council adopted version of Strategy please refer to casey.vic.gov. au/council/policies-strategies. Family Violence 02 Prevention Strategy

Introduction Building on our history of working to prevent

The City of Casey has had a longstanding commitment to family violence promoting gender equity and preventing family violence.

Key learnings from our work in this space, together with evidence in the literature regarding what works to prevent violence against women, has led us to develop a bold and innovative Family Violence Prevention The City of Casey has identified the prevention of family Strategy and Action Plan for the City of Casey. The Strategy demonstrates violence as a key priority for the community which has our strong commitment to the prevention of family violence in the Casey resulted in some innovative work, highlighted below: community and more broadly.

This Strategy describes how we will strive towards an integrated, Primary Challenge Family Violence Promoting Peace in whole of Council approach to the Definition Prevention Project 2013–2015 Families Project 2007–2009 prevention of family violence in This Strategy’s definition of the City of Casey. As the level Any act of gender based violence against women is of government closest to the violence that causes or could The City of Casey was This project was delivered by This project provided a model shared with Change the Story, community, Council is mandated the first amongst a small number a partnership between the City for faith communities to be actively the National Plan to Reduce cause physical, sexual or to create healthy, safe and inclusive Violence against Women and psychological harm or suffering of Councils to begin to address the of Casey, Cardinia Shire, City of involved in the prevention of communities. We must also their Children 2010–2022 and to women, including threats issue of Preventing Violence Against Greater Dandenong and Monash violence against women. The model advocate for social justice and Women from 2004. The issue was Health. One component of the included sermons, studies, policies the United Nations Declaration of harm or coercion, in public human rights on behalf of the identified and prioritised for action and training to equip faith leaders on the Elimination of Violence 1 model focused on equipping entire community. or in private life . against Women (1993). It is: by the (former) Safer Casey and supporting influential male to address the issue within the faith Partnership – a strategic partnership community leaders to prevent setting. The Promoting Peace in of Council to address safety issues violence against women by Families won an Australian Crime within the municipality. Since this promoting respect, non-violence, and Violence Prevention Award time, a number of initiatives have gender equity and challenging from the Attorneys-General progressed to prevent violence sexism, male privilege and Department in 2009. against women. aggressive masculinity within their sphere of influence. The other component of the model focused on faith leaders. A resource was developed to enable faith leaders to have discussions about family violence prevention within their faith communities, and to effectively identify and challenge systems, structures, attitudes and beliefs that can contribute to family violence.

1 United Nations (1993). Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women. Geneva Family Violence 03 Prevention Strategy

Casey Men’s Action Team White Ribbon Day Promoting female leadership Applied Gender Maternal and Child Health Baby Makes 3 within our community Analysis Training Service: Prevention, This consists of men in leadership This annual event on November 25th Identification and Response Baby Makes 3 is community-based positions within Council who provide is for Council staff to take the White program designed to assist first- Council is committed to promoting Training is provided to Council staff education and support within the Ribbon Oath, increase awareness time parents to adapt to the and celebrating female leadership to increase knowledge and skills to organisation for the implementation of the issue of family violence, and The Maternal and Child Health demands and expectations of both within the City of Casey staff apply a gender lens over services, of strategies to raise awareness acknowledge the achievements Service identify women who are parenthood and promotes equal and throughout our community. policies and programs. about the prevention of violence of women. Partnerships have been at risk or are currently experiencing and respectful relationships during against women. established with Council corporate Banners family violence. All staff are required the transition to parenthood. partners, encouraging contractors Local Laws: Early to ask at their initial contact with Advocacy to demonstrate leadership. Visible the family, or when it is deemed The City of Casey offers Baby messages are displayed on banners, Following a collaborative project Intervention Model appropriate to do so, whether there Makes 3 to all new parents through Cleanaway trucks and through between the Communications and are any concerns in regard to family the Maternal Child Health Service, In 2016, the City of Casey partnered public events. in partnership with ParentZone. Safer Communities Departments, City of Casey’s Local Laws was violence. If this is identified as with local Victoria Police to object to banners promoting Casey’s stance Male leaders are encouraged to the first local government within an issue, the staff member will Council supports its own staff Victoria’s licensing regulator about the against family violence have been apply to become White Ribbon Australia to respond to the link complete a Safety Plan with the from across the organisation, establishment of a new Dan Murphy erected in October 2017 across the Ambassadors to develop male between family violence and animal family members involved, and refer to be facilitators of the Baby Makes liquor outlet in Cranbourne East. The municipality. “Casey Says No to submission argued that in a locality leadership in the organisation abuse. A ground-breaking model on to appropriate services such 3 program, as part of its corporate around family violence prevention. Family Violence” banners will be as the Enhanced Maternal and that experiences high levels of displayed across the municipality was developed which included: social commitment to community Male leaders challenge other men Child Health Service or other alcohol-related behaviour including during November for White Ribbon volunteering. to evaluate their attitudes and »» Training for Local Laws officers Family Violence agencies. family violence, there are likely to be Day and the 16 days of activism negative effects on individuals and behaviours toward women. to understand family violence which follow. and identify risk. All families receive a copy of the communities from another large retail Family Violence Resource Card at alcohol outlet. Casey is now working »» Establishing referral pathways. their first contact visit which is then with six other Councils, police and placed in the child’s ‘green book’. welfare groups in Melbourne’s »» Partnerships developed This card contains information of south-east to advocate changing with the local Police Family what is family violence, the types licensing laws so that the social Violence Unit. impact of alcohol can be considered of family violence and where the in planning applications. »» Policies and standard operating person can receive help. procedures updated to respond International Women’s Day to the issue. »» Supporting housing of animals Council supports an internal annual at risk during periods of family event on March 8th to celebrate relocation following family International Women’s Day. From violence incidents. 2018, this event will involve the community. This model has been presented to over 200 Local Laws officers across Victoria, and won an LGPro Award for Excellence in 2014.

1 United Nations (1993). Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women. Geneva Family Violence 04 Prevention Strategy

Strategy

The development of this This strategy aligns with the women and their children, of which Why Local Government? Strategy was allocated as Southern Metropolitan Region the City of Casey is a signatory. an action of the Year One PVAW Strategy ‘Preventing Violence Figure 1 below illustrates how this The role of Council in the prevention Action Plan of the 2017–2021 Together – A Strategy for the Strategy and Action Plan are aligned Southern Metropolitan Region3’ with Council’s other strategic plans. of violence against women. Council Plan. – a region-wide strategy for the prevention of violence against

Local Government is in a unique position of having enormous reach, influence and access to our local communities through We can work to prevent Figure 1 Alignment of Council Plans the various services and functions that we provide. violence against women in many practical ways through The City of Casey works closely This puts the City of Casey in our role in: Local leadership; with individuals, families, community a position to be able to provide City of Casey Council Plan organisations, local businesses, a whole of community response, »» Planning; sporting clubs and faith communities. from identifying those at risk 2017–2021 »» Developing facilities We impact the community via of violence, to addressing the planning, facilities and infrastructure broader determinants of violence. and creating safe Community safety a priority provision, as well as promoting public environments Councils play a central role key messages that influence in promoting peaceful, healthy »» Service provision and community attitudes. and safe environments due to »» As an employer their work with a whole range and procurer. Municipal Health & Wellbeing of services and sectors. Plan 2017–2021

Family violence a priority

Local Government community and aims to provide an inclusive, services such as Maternal and safe and connected community, Child Health, Early Childhood and a Council where services and The Council Plan identifies Community Safety Strategy Services, Youth Services and Home facilities are driven by community relevant Strategic Objectives and Community Care also work needs. Council has committed for its planning including: directly with individuals at risk of to working towards ensuring that Injury & crime prevention experiencing violence, and are an Casey is a family-friendly city, where »» Enhancement of the are key priorities essential part of the family violence everyone feels safe in their homes, health and wellbeing response system. neighbourhoods, public spaces of all residents (2.1); and and on all modes of transport2. The City of Casey Council Plan »» Building of neighbourhoods 2017–2021 recognises that that are safe and foster Family Violence Gender Equity Action Plan family violence is one of the community connection (2.2) most significant community safety Prevention Strategy 2018–2021 including reductions in the issues within the municipality, levels of violence and injury. Dedicated action plan for family Dedicated action plan violence prevention for gender equality

2 City of Casey Council Plan 2017–2021 3 Preventing Violence Together – A Strategy for the Southern Metropolitan Region Family Violence 05 Prevention Strategy

Growth in the City of Casey is driven family violence is central to Council’s As illustrated in Figure 2, the reach Violence against women is an urgent by young families. It is home to vision for a liveable city that is safe of Councils ranges from Corporate approximately 68,000 children who for all residents. Services, Health and Wellbeing, public health and human rights issue are 15 years and under, and there Maternal and Child Health, Early Local government can and must, are roughly 5,000 babies born each Years, Youth Services, Sport and make a difference because its reach that also has a direct and indirect year. Violence is a social determinant Recreation, Libraries, Arts and across the community where people 4 of health, and Council planning Culture, Emergency Management, live, work, learn and play, from birth impact on children . to reduce the prevalence of Animal Management and Local Laws. to old age, is unrivalled.

Many children and young people witness violence in their homes, Figure 2 Council’s reach for family violence prevention across the community with one in four young people reportedly having witnessed an act of physical violence against their mother or step-mother.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (2014) Personal Safety Survey reports that:

Aged and Disability Services Of those women who Of those women who Domestic and family Develop elder abuse policy had experienced violence had experienced violence Animal Management and facilitate training policies Corporate Services violence is the leading Risk assessment and and training Develop workplace gender by a current partner, by a former partner, cause of homelessness referral training for staff equity and PVAW policies 54% 61% for children in Australia. and training had children in their care at had children in their care at the time of the violence and the time of the violence and Sport Clubs Emergency Management Ensure sports and Apply a gender equity lens % % recreation services are in emergency management 31 48 inclusive of women and girls planning It is estimated that Victorian of the children had seen of the children had seen Aboriginal women are or heard the violence. or heard the violence. 45 times Early Years Arts and Culture Programs Studies have found that exposure to domestic and family violence more likely to experience Gender equity staff training and Equitable arts that are inclusive family violence than non- support for early intervention of women’s voices can affect a child’s mental wellbeing and contribute to poorer Aboriginal women6. educational outcomes and a range of behavioural issues5.

Youth Services Maternal and Child Health Engage through programs Engagement in primary prevention that promote respect and early intervention Libraries 4 Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse & University of New South Wales. Promote gender equity and The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children: A Literature Review, 2011 PVAW through book selection 5 Campo, M. (2015). Children’s exposure to domestic and family violence: Key issues and responses (CFCA Paper No. 36). Melbourne: Child Family Community Australia information exchange, Australian Institute of Family Studies. and authors promoted 6 Korin Balit-Djak – Aboriginal Health, Wellbeing and Safety Strategic Plan, available at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/publications/ korin-korin-balit-djak, State of Victoria, Australia, Department of Health and Human Services, August 2017. Family Violence 06 Prevention Strategy

3.1 This Strategy and its Action Causes of Family Violence Plan are based on a primary prevention approach which works towards action on the This Strategy recognises the »» Tolerance for, and the »» Rigid gender roles and social and cultural conditions well-established drivers of condoning of, violence stereotyped constructions that enable violence against family violence7, which are against women. of masculinity and femininity. women to occur. articulated in Change the Story: »» Men’s control of decision- »» Male peer relations that A shared framework for the making and limits to women’s emphasise aggression and This Strategy is underpinned by Individual Relationship Community Society primary prevention of violence independence in public and disrespect towards women. the understanding that gender against women and their private life. inequity is a key driver of family children in Australia: violence and that gender-based violence has multiple causes. This is best conceptualised in a socio-ecological model (Figure 3), which is a useful way to understand 3.2 individual behaviour in a social context and demonstrates the Council action to prevent family violence Reinforcing/Contributing Factors in Family Violence interactive nature of a range of key factors. Many of the factors These include alcohol and illicit This violence can be triggered underlying or contributing drug use, male peer relations that in families by daily economic and condone aggression and disrespect social pressures as a result of The model illustrates that local relationships such as the Baby »» The Community level relates to family violence are serious health and social problems towards women, and poverty that housing affordability stress, travel government actions are focussed Makes 3 program for new parents to the settings such as schools, in their own right. gives rise to relationship conflict to work time and social isolation; at all levels, for example: and Respectful Relationships sporting venues, workplaces and poor parenting. often in combination with alcohol and Safe Schools programs for and neighbourhoods in which and drug misuse. However, family Male violence against women and »» The individual level relates to children and adolescents. Such social relationships occur. violence is never excused by any children is primarily the result of Council services that have direct programs are about promoting of these factors8. »» The Societal level relates to a violence-supporting culture and contact with residents such safety among the next generation health, economic and social gender inequality in broader society. as Maternal and Child Health and equipping them with the skills policies which drive community Services and Local Laws teams; to form healthy and respectful attitudes and stereotyped relationships in adulthood. »» The Relationship level relates constructions of masculinity to those settings and programs and femininity. that seek to reduce the risks of violence, and promote healthy

7 OurWatch, ANROWS and VicHealth 2015. Change the Story: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia, OurWatch, Melbourne, Pp 26. 8 Key messages for the Challenge project. 2015. City of Casey and partners. Family Violence 07 Prevention Strategy

3.3. The scale of the problem

Every week, at least one woman is murdered in Australia by her Casey has a relatively youthful every day by Victoria Police, which The City of Casey is population, with more than 37% equates to 4,369 incidents per year. current or former partner. Interpersonal violence contributes to of residents aged under 25, and It is also important to acknowledge forecast to grow to of residents more preventable death, disability and illness for women between two thirds aged under 45. Growth that Parliamentary research indicates % aged under 25 the ages of 15 – 44 in Victoria than any other preventable risk factor, is largely driven by young families that less than one third of women 37 and men’s violence against women is present in all parts of society. 514,800 who have chosen Casey because contact the police following a violent Whilst violence against women occurs in a variety of settings, it offers lower cost housing than incident, therefore the true rate of it most commonly occurs in the home. by 2041. inner Melbourne areas. Many families incidents is likely to be much higher. have high mortgages and average There is a ripple effect of family incomes, making them vulnerable The rate and The City of Casey has a significant several times the Victorian rate since violence on women’s and children’s % numbers of children to increasing interest rates and family violence problem. For the past 2002 and this high level of growth is Currently, on average, relatives, friends and peer groups, 25 in low-income, other living costs. five years, the City of Casey has forecast to continue through to 2022 workplaces and communities. welfare-dependent consistently had the highest number at an average annual growth rate of The Shire of Cardinia reports Women who are experiencing families of reported family violence incidents 4.61%. Cardinia also has a relatively 7,300 increasing concern with the lack family violence are at risk of among all Victorian municipalities. youthful population, with 23.1% of social housing and increasing poverty, dislocation, social Casey also has the highest number of the population aged under 15. people move to Casey each rates of primary and secondary isolation and loss of community. year (140 people per week) of reported family violence offences In addition, Casey has a high level homelessness. With unemployment with the presence of alcohol. More of cultural diversity, with over 28% family incidents are rates sitting especially high in dealt with every day broadly, Casey consistently ranks of people born in a non-English Cranbourne North and Cranbourne among the highest areas for police speaking country, predominantly India 12 by Victoria Police in West, the City of Casey poses Children’s exposure to the City of Casey calls for alcohol-related offences. and Sri Lanka, and 31% speaking a a significant risk of additional language other than English at home. domestic and family In addition, the city has the highest homelessness and social 0.5% of the total population (1,621) violence affects their population of any local government housing crises. identify as Aboriginal and Torres area in Victoria, and is one of the behaviour at home and Strait Islander people. The rate and numbers of children less than one third fastest growing and increasingly in low-income, welfare-dependent in their community, their culturally diverse regions in Australia, Casey and Cardinia both cover large of women contact families is 25% across Casey and learning and behaviour 1/3 the police following with approximately 314,000 geographical areas. With many new Cardinia. The rates of learning or a violent incident residents. The City of Casey is suburbs being developed, limited at school, their cognitive earning among young people are development, mental forecast to grow to 514,800 by 2041. infrastructure and poor public particularly low, which is a risk factor Currently, on average, 7,300 people transport have become significant for poor mental health in this group. and physical wellbeing. move to Casey each year (140 people problems for local residents. Equity per week) and this annual number of service access, including for family The City of Casey has made is expected to grow. violence, is a challenge for the City significant contributions to addressing of Casey. In addition, there are the issue of family violence through Casey is adjacent to the Cardinia access issues for residents and response, early intervention and The transgenerational Shire and provides many services additional pressures placed on primary prevention strategies. consequences of family violence used by the rapidly growing Cardinia include economic hardship, drug service providers from surrounding Police data provides the most population. The numbers of people and alcohol abuse and mental shires including the Shire of Cardinia localised statistics relating to family in Cardinia has been increasing at illness, which have a compound and The City of Greater Dandenong. violence. In the City of Casey alone, effect over time. 12 family incidents are dealt with

11 Shire of Cardinia. 2015. Housing and Homelessness Fact Sheet. 09 ANROWS, retrieved from https://d2c0ikyv46o3b1.cloudfront.net/ 12 Parliament of Australia, Measuring domestic violence and sexual assault against women: a review of the anrows.org.au/s3fs-public/151022%20Horizons%201.1%20PSS.pdf. literature and statistics, retrieved from www.aph.gov.au/about_parliament/parliamentary_departments/ 10 id profile, retrieved from https://forecast.id.com.au/casey. parliamentary_library/publications_archive/archive/violenceagainstwomen Family Violence 08 Prevention Strategy

3.3 Policy and Legislative Content The scale of the problem (continued)

Table 1 demonstrates the rates Note; This data captures domestic Figure 4 illustrates these Legislation, policies and programs have been developed in of reported family violence incidents of physical and sexual rates visually, demonstrating that Victoria and more recently, nationally, to address the drivers incidents within the City of violence, it does not capture all the City of Casey has a consistently that are underlying or contributing to violence against women. Casey per 100,000 people, with incidents of gender-based violence. higher rate of family incidents per comparisons to the Southern These figures are not inclusive 100,000 in comparison to the Metropolitan Region of non-disclosure, nor of data Southern Metropolitan Region in collected by family violence Melbourne, and to Victoria overall. and Victoria. International service providers. Conventions

The prevention of violence against The most relevant SDG for the City of Council’s response has been women is a clear responsibility of Casey’s Prevention of Family Violence to support a number of initiatives Table 1 Comparative family violence rates 2011–2016 governments and public authorities Strategy and Gender Equity Strategy including the Challenge Family under international human rights is Goal 5: Achieve gender equality Violence program and Promoting City of Casey City of Greater Cardinia Shire Southern Victoria law. The core legal obligation that and empower all women and girls. Peace in Families project. Dandenong Metro Region establishes this responsibility is the This goal is about eliminating the This Strategy will strengthen United Nations (1979) Convention suffering caused by gender inequality, Council’s approach moving forward 2011–12 1,176 1,257 1,216 844 887 Discrimination against Women discrimination and violence towards and provide a sound platform for (known as CEDAW). In Victoria, women and girls. Goal 3: Ensure 2012–13 1,254 1,530 1,408 1,010 1,056 actions and funding applications. and globally, there is increasing healthy lives and promote well-being 2013–14 1,318 1,416 1,353.5 995 1,116 recognition that violence against for all at all ages, relates to the women can be prevented, and there Council Plans for Health and 2014–15 1,291 1,383 1,450 1,054 1,192 is increasing emphasis on social Wellbeing more broadly. Role models are so important. programs and initiatives designed This Strategy and Action Plan aligns 2015–16 1,437 1,443 1,494 1,109 1,285 to effect change. They influence perception of current and proposed activity and what’s possible. Further to the CEDAW Convention, advocacy efforts with best practice Figure 4 Family incident rates per 100,000 recorded by Victoria Police the Sustainable Development Goals policy and program development, (SDGs) were developed by the United State and Federal Government policy. Nations to follow the Millennium It identifies opportunities for the City Australia has a significant commitment Development Goals (MDGs). Australia of Casey to demonstrate leadership 1,800 City of Casey to the prevention of violence against is a signatory to both the MDGs and in the prevention of family violence, women at federal, state/territory City of Greater the SDGs. The SDGs are intentionally as well as to attract funding to the and regional levels. This commitment 1,600 Dandenong for all countries, developed and Casey community. is expressed in a number of plans developing, with an emphasis Council has been actively working and strategies, and these provide 1,400 Cardinia Shire on equity and vulnerable groups. and advocating towards the an important foundation for the The goals are universally applicable Southern Metro prevention of family violence for City of Casey’s Prevention of Family 1,200 and create a common language for Region a number of years, guided by the Violence Strategy and Action Plan. governments, NGOs, philanthropic Vitoria research demonstrating that the 1,000 organisations, and business. At the Commonwealth level, the key determinant of violence against National Plan to reduce violence women is the persisting inequities 800 against women and their children was between men and women, and the launched in 2010 and is a 12-year plan unequal distribution of power 600 that runs to 2022. The Plan is being between men and women. implemented through four three-year 400 action plans. The third of these action plans was released in 2016. 200

0 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 Family Violence 09 Prevention Strategy

Policy and Legislative Content (continued)

At a state level, Victoria is in the Preventing violence and injury is In May 2017 Victoria released the at greater risk, and face greater midst of a significant scaling up of also one of six priority areas in the first state-wide primary prevention barriers to reporting violence and The Victorian plan released in Preventing violence efforts to prevent violence against Victorian public health and wellbeing strategy, Free from Violence: accessing services. Many people 14 women with funding of $1.9 billion 2017 , includes a 10-year plan 2015-2019, that councils are Victoria’s strategy to prevent experience social isolation, which and injury is also one announced in the 2017 State Budget investment plan and a required to give regard to when violence and all forms of violence exacerbates the risk and impact of six priority areas in the for investment in family violence primary prevention strategy, preparing their MPHWP. against women. The strategy is of family violence. This underlines Victorian public health services and reform, and the and details the desired Recommendation 94 of the Royal focused on changing social norms, the importance of ensuring that and wellbeing plan 2015- establishment of the Family Safety outcomes of key family Commission Final Report requires structures and practices that strategies and action plans are 201915, that councils are Victoria agency – Respect Victoria. violence reforms including: that Local Government Councils condone family violence and all designed for diversity and inclusion. required to give regard forms of violence against women. The 2015 Royal Commission into “report on the measures they propose These groups include Aboriginal to when preparing their Family Violence of the Victorian »» Family violence and gender to take to reduce family violence The action plan, 2018-2021, communities; cultural, linguistic MPHWP. Government was an acknowledgment inequality are not tolerated. and respond to the needs of victims” puts this strategy into practice and faith communities; people with of the seriousness of family violence in preparing their municipal public »» Victim survivors, vulnerable with a series of short and long-term a disability; people experiencing and its consequences for individuals, health and wellbeing plans families and communities. children and families, are (MPHWPs). This new requirement initiatives to build the infrastructure mental health issues; older people; The government has accepted all safe and supported to is aimed at increasing the focus and systems to prevent family lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and 227 recommendations of the Royal recover and thrive. on family violence prevention and violence. It recognizes that the most gender-diverse and intersex people; common form of violence against women in or exiting prison/forensic Commission and committed to »» Perpetrators are held response at a local level and applies their implementation13. to 2017-2021 MPHWPs. women is closely linked to gender institutions; people who work to account, engaged inequality. Therefore, much of the in the sex industry; people living and connected. work of the action plan is about in regional, remote or rural »» Preventing and responding supporting sustained positive communities; male victims; and to family violence is change in gender relations. adolescents and young people. systemic and enduring. As part of family violence reform Building on the Koolin Balit in Victoria, in 2017, The Department Aboriginal Health Strategy (released of Premier and Cabinet released in 2012) and evaluation findings, a Diversity and Intersectionality the Korin Korin Balit-Djak Aboriginal Framework. This is aimed at Health, Wellbeing and Safety ensuring that prevention initiatives, Strategic Plan 2017-2027 is the services and justice responses current plan with vision and actions will be accessible, inclusive, non- for key issues affecting Aboriginal discriminatory and responsive people in Victoria. The Indigenous to diverse groups. It recognizes Family Violence Partnership the diversity of the Victorian Forum is working with the population, and that while family government to strengthen family violence occurs across all cultures violence reforms to produce a new and communities, some groups are Aboriginal 10-year plan that will be aligned to Ending family violence: Victoria’s plan for change.

13 Victorian Government 2016. Ending Family Violence: Victoria’s Plan for Change. Melbourne. 14 Victorian Government 2016. Free from Violence: Victoria’s Strategy to Prevent Family Violence and All Forms of Violence Against Women; State of Victoria (Department of Premier and Cabinet) 2016. 15 Victorian Government. 2015. Victorian public health and wellbeing plan 2015–2019, Melbourne. Family Violence 10 Prevention Strategy

Our Action Plan for Preventing Family Violence Create safe spaces Better education training Local councils offer a key platform for: Take resources to Housing where families are: »» Supporting community action. An internal Action Plan accompanies this Strategy, designed around seven kinders, libraries, »» Fostering collaboration Guiding Principles and five Strategic sports clubs, pop-ups, and innovation. Directions that build on these Council market stalls »» Development and roles to prevent family violence. implementation of community strategies designed to address family violence.

Better education Seven Guiding Principles training Separate FV Court 01 04 07

Every person who lives, Our community facilities are We will work in partnerships works and visits Casey deserves inclusive environments that to demonstrate leadership in to feel safe, and safety for women promote gender equity. resourcing and coordinating and children is paramount. of strategies with our partners across a spectrum of services and settings.

02 05 At a regional level, the City of It was developed by Women's All of these policy documents have Casey is a signatory to ‘Preventing Health in the South-East (WHISE) relevance for the City of Casey, and We will ensure a safe and We will use evidence informed Violence Together – A Strategy for in consultation with 28 organisations should be used to inform programs inclusive community that data and programs to address 16 the Southern Metropolitan Region ’ in the region, including community and initiatives arising from this includes people being safe violence against women and - a region-wide strategy for the and women’s health services, local strategy. Investments should be in their homes, workplaces children. prevention of violence against government (including the City of assessed against their potential to and educational institutions. women and their children. Casey), primary care partnerships, advance these reforms in the City and key health organisations. of Casey. It explains the causes of violence against women, and makes a case for collective action in the region. 03 06

Our local leadership means Our planning will integrate a commitment to addressing actions to reduce family family violence at multiple violence across Council, levels of decision-making across agencies and the community. all council business units. 16 Women’s Health in the South-East. 2015. Preventing Violence Together – A Strategy for the Southern Metropolitan Region. Family Violence 11 Prevention Strategy

These five strategic directions are directly linked to taking action Five Strategic on the causes of family violence and the four key drivers detailed in Section 3.1 of this document from Change the Story: A shared Acknowledgments Directions framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia17.

The City of Casey would like to We would also like to thank 01 03 05 acknowledge the extensive support our expert panel members; and expertise provided by Helen Kit McMahon CEO WHISE, Community Community Research Keleher and Emma Hutchinson Dr Dina McMillan, Rabia Participation Engagement and Advocacy of Keleher Consulting. Without Sakinder of UnitingCare, and this support and foundational Linda Watson from the Southern Programs and Action work the strategy would not Melbourne Regional Family have been completed with such Violence Partnership. The City »» We will undertake precision and influence. We also of Casey also acknowledges the »» We will support programs »» We will mobilise and strategic advocacy wish to express our gratitude to valuable input and insight from that promote and support Casey communities at the Commonwealth, the Municipal Association of Victoria all participants who attended our encourage women and girls’ to address the social norms State and local levels (MAV) in particular the hard work strategy forum, along with any participation in community that make family violence that support and promote of Kellie Nagle, for the ongoing individuals and residents who life in the City of Casey. acceptable in their the prevention of family support and guidance. took the time to write to us with communities. violence. important feedback and input »» We will provide programs into the strategy that strengthen positive, »» We will take action on »» We will undertake research, equal and respectful tackling rigid gender roles and monitoring and evaluation relations between and stereotyped constructions of of our policies and among women, men, masculinity and femininity, and programs for their impact girls and boys. address broader community- on the causes of family level factors contributing to violence, to ensure family violence. continuous improvement.

02 Partnerships 04 to Foster Council Collaboration Leadership

»» We will establish effective »» We will strive to demonstrate partnerships across that the City of Casey is a government and non- violence prevention leader by government agencies fostering strong organisational and engage in mutually and community cultures for reinforcing activities to the prevention of family prevent family violence. violence, through leadership, »» girls and boys. planning, operational actions and building of capacity internally and externally.

17 OurWatch, ANROWS and VicHealth 2015. Change the Story: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia, OurWatch, Melbourne, Pp 26 Contact

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