The Andrews Labor Government is supporting family violence prevention programs being rolled out across Ararat Rural City and the Northern Grampian Shire.

Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins announced $100,000 in funding for the Grampians Pyrenees Primary Care Partnership at the Regional Assembly in Stawell today.

The partnership will use the funding to deliver their Women in Rural Communities: Talking Gender on the Farm project.

The project will empower local women to challenge sexism, encourage them to embrace leadership opportunities and seek help if they are experiencing family violence.

Gender inequality drives family violence and violence against women. Findings from the project will be used to raise awareness of gender equality and prevention in the wider Grampians community.

Support for innovation in primary prevention is part of Free from violence: Victoria’s strategy to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women.

More money will go towards preventing family violence and keeping victim survivors safe, as part of the Victorian Budget 2018/19. This includes $24 million to help change the attitudes that contribute to family violence and all forms of violence against women.

For more information on Free from violence: Victoria’s strategy to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women, visit vic.gov.au/familyviolence/prevention-strategy

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Women Natalie Hutchins

“We won’t end family violence in regional Victoria without confronting the gender inequality that drives it.”

“This funding will ensure women, their leadership and their experiences are at the heart of primary prevention.”