LIBERAL MP Edward O’Donohue has lamented the loss of funding for the Challenge Family Violence project, labeling it a real momentum killer.
The project, which winds up this month after three years, involved 100 men from across the Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia regions signing a pledge in line with the White Ribbon principles to help prevent the growing scourge of family violence.
These men swore to “never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women” and undertook a series of workshops over three years to be better educated about gender inequality, stereotyping and male privilege in society.
The idea was that they would then try to influence change in behavior and attitudes towards women in their communities of interest – business, sporting clubs, faith communities and the like.
“Challenge Family Violence was one of 12 projects across the state to drive cultural change,” Mr O’Donohue said.
“With these projects a lot of work goes in to getting it going.
“In this case, we had three councils working together, which can be an achievement in itself, and we had 100 individuals invested – it takes a lot of time and effort to get that together.
“To let it go now is a bad decision, when it would take a relatively small amount of money to keep it going, at least for 12 months.”
Mr O’Donohue, who had the Crime Prevention portfolio in the Napthine Government before the last election, said the program had been evaluated by the Australian Institute and Criminology and seen to be beneficial.
“it was driving community-led cultural change,” he said.
“Rather than being responsive to the problem, this seeks to drive behavioural change to prevent it from happening.
“It’s grassroots, community-led and there is a great need, so it makes no sense to wind it up.”
The State Government called a Royal Commission into family violence and put funding on hold until it was able to assess the findings.
Mr O’Donohue said that, if the Royal Commission wound up early next year, it would be May until any new programs rolled out.
“By then these people (Challenge participants) might have moved on,” he said.
“It’s a real momentum killer.”
Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, Fiona Richardson responded on behalf of the State Government.
She said the Andrews Labor Government was fixing Victoria’s broken system and doing more to keep those who suffer from family violence safe.
“With the Royal Commission well underway, we are directing our $81.3 million package to ensure those impacted by this harm are supported.”
“We know that family violence is overwhelmingly gendered and that engaging with men to change negative attitudes and stereotypes is vital.
“I look forward to the Royal Commission’s advice on this.”
“This week our government is launching the first Victoria Against Violence campaign to ensure greater awareness of the need to prevent family violence from occurring in our community.”
