Victoria’s first ever dedicated family violence prevention agency will be enshrined in law as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s efforts to end family violence.

The Labor Government today introduced legislation to enshrine Respect Victoria, the state’s new statutory authority, in law, fulfilling Recommendation 188 of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

The agency forms part of the first pillar of the Government’s primary prevention strategy, Free from Violence, and will work to address gender inequality as a root cause of family violence, provide expert advice on best practice, and hold quality assurance and accreditation functions.

It will engage in whole-of-community campaigns and activities to change the culture that allows family violence to happen in the first place. The agency will commence operation on 1 August.

The Labor Government has already provided $12 million for Respect Victoria and it will continue to receive dedicated and sustained funding, to ensure prevention work endures over the long term.

The Government has also released its latest video as part of its Respect Women: Call it Outcampaign.

This is the final video in a series of four that depicts the various ways men can call out sexism, harassment and abuse against women.

Featuring a range of everyday scenarios, the online videos support the overarching campaign that has reached one in four Victorians.

The Respect Women: Call it Out campaign brings men into the conversation, providing them with the tools to call out disrespectful and sexist behaviour, a known driver of violence against women.

This highlights the important message that women are not responsible for the violence perpetrated against them. Men have a responsibility to step up when women are treated with disrespect.

To boost the current Respect Women: Call it Out ads the government has spent an additional $250,000 to immediately increase the reach of the campaign.

The facts speak for themselves: on average, one woman is murdered by her current or former partner each week in Australia; one in four Australian women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15; and one in five has experienced sexual violence.

To view these videos and to read more about how to ‘call out’ sexism, harassment and abuse, visit vic.gov.au/familyviolencesupport

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

“Respect Victoria will go a long way to making sure all Victorians can live a life free from violence.”

“Women have a right to feel safe and walk safely in our community. It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure this right becomes a reality.”