Safe and Equal’s response to the Federal Budget October 2022
Safe and Equal welcomes the Albanese government’s first budget and acknowledges the tough financial circumstances in which it is being delivered.
Meet our Fast Track prevention course graduate, Shweta
We recently spoke to Shweta, a Health Outreach Team Leader from GenWest, about her journey with the primary prevention stream of the Fast Track program.
Meet our Fast Track response course graduate, Kerry
We recently spoke to Kerry, a senior specialist supervisory family violence practitioner, about her experiences with the response stream of the Fast Track professional development program.
Preventing violence against women top of the agenda for the 16 Days of Activism in Victoria
The 16 Days of Activism is a platform to call for change, and to remind us all that preventing violence starts with changing the culture that allows it to happen.
Resources for your 16 Days of Activism 2022
For each of the 16 Days of Activism, we’ll be sharing a range of resources from local, national, and international organisations working to eliminate family and gender-based violence.
PiP Member Spotlight: Starlady from Zoe Belle Gender Collective
Read this month’s Partners in Prevention network member spotlight on Starlady about her work in driving LGBTIQA+ prevention programs at Zoe Belle Gender Collective.
Employment White Paper Response
Safe and Equal welcomes the focus of the White Paper on a sustainable care industry alongside women’s economic participation, experiences of the labour market and the challenges of ensuring women have equal opportunities and equal pay.
Safe and Equal Member Forum 2022 Wrap-Up
Safe and Equal’s Member Forum – hosted on 27 and 28 September – is an annual opportunity for our sector to come together, step back, reflect, listen, and set the vision we want to see for the future of our sector.
Midsumma Carnival 2023
Safe and Equal and Elizabeth Morgan House partnered for this year’s Midsumma Carnival, working together to raise awareness and increase safety and support for all people who may be experiencing family violence.
Safe and Equal responds to the Victorian Government’s acquittal of the Royal Commission into Family Violence recommendations
As the Victorian Government announces the acquittal of all recommendations from 2016’s Royal Commission into Family Violence, we reflect on the landmark achievements and progress made in the past seven years.
Paid Domestic and Family Violence Leave: beyond the legislation
You may have seen it on the news or heard about it at work: the Australian Government has introduced 10 days paid domestic and family violence leave into the National Employment Standards.
Ochre Ribbon Week
This week is Ochre Ribbon Week, an Aboriginal-led advocacy campaign running each year from 12 until 19 February.
2023 State Budget Submission
Safe and Equal calls for continued investment, collaboration and action for the specialist family violence services and primary prevention sectors in the 2023 State Budget.
‘Cracking the code’ to end family and gender-based violence
This International Women’s Day, we are moving beyond morning teas to spotlight the work going on across the year to bring the gendered issues that women experience to light.
Family Law Council Consultation Submission Summary
Safe and Equal recently responded to an online Family Law Council consultation on the experiences of children and young people moving thorough the Australian family law system.
Safe and Equal urgently requests continued funding for the Equal Remuneration Order
Safe and Equal, on behalf of the Victorian specialist family violence sector, has today written to Ministers asking them not to cut critical funding which is due to expire in June.
Latest Personal Safety Survey shows family violence remains a critical issue for Australians
Safe and Equal welcomes the release of the fourth Personal Safety Survey, a critical measure of the prevalence of family and gender-based violence in Australia.
Personal Safety Survey and National Community Attitudes Survey Results 2023
Safe and Equal’s Executive Director of Primary Prevention, Marina Carman, takes us through the results of the Personal Safety Survey (PSS) and National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey (NCAS), why they are important, and the data gaps that remain.
Agency and choice are key to recovery from family violence
Safe and Equal’s Executive Director of Policy, Communications and Engagement, Louise Simms, explores why Safe at Home responses are critical to meet the unique needs of every person experiencing abuse and can promote autonomy and choice on the road to recovery.
Achieving Safe at Home responses for victim survivors: programs and policies
Safe and Equal’s Kate Mecham and Courtney Wamala take us through the ingredients of Victoria’s full system approach to assist victim survivors to remain safely in their homes, with spotlights on the Personal Safety Initiative and the Flexible Support Packages programs.
PiP Member Spotlight: Sam House from City of Kingston
Read this month’s Partners in Prevention network member spotlight on Sam House from City of Kingston, and her vital work with Active Kingston, supporting local clubs to promote gender equality and diversity, including through upcoming initiatives with Proud2Play.
Workplaces in the spotlight for Are You Safe At Home? Day 2023
This year’s Are You Safe At Home? Day is shining a spotlight on the significant role colleagues and employers can play in recognising and responding to family violence.
Safe and Equal responds to the 2023-24 Federal Budget
Safe and Equal welcomes the ongoing investment in and support of women’s safety initiatives delivered in the 2023-24 Federal Budget.
Safe and Equal responds to the 2023-24 State Budget
In a difficult economic context, the Victorian Government is ‘staying the course’ on responses to family violence in the State Budget 2023-24.
Family violence a workplace issue for Are You Safe at Home? Day 2023
This year, Are You Safe at Home? Day amplified the need for a cultural shift across all workplaces, to destigmatise conversations about family violence at work and to provide the tools and skills to recognise the signs of family violence and respond safely.
Victorian Disability Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative
Learn more about Victorian Disability Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative and the disability support provided by Safe Steps.
Safe and Equal’s submission to the MARAM 5-year evidence review
Safe and Equal is pleased to provide a submission to the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework’s (MARAM) 5-year evidence review.
Submission to the Inquiry into the Rental and Housing Affordability Crisis in Victoria
Safe and Equal welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Inquiry into the Rental and Housing Affordability Crisis in Victoria.
Submission to Draft regulations and Regulatory Impact Statement for social services
Safe and Equal welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the consultation on the Draft Regulations and the Regulatory Impact Statement on the Social Services Regulation.
More needed to address family and gender-based violence in government’s new Action Plan
Safe and Equal welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s release of the First Action Plan 2023-2027, as the first of two Action Plans under the 10-year National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032.
Safe and Equal supports the call for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament
Safe and Equal stands in solidarity with First Nations peoples and supports the call for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
Submission to the Senate inquiry into the Worsening Rental Crisis in Australia
Safe and Equal recently responded to the Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs inquiry into the Worsening Rental Crisis in Australia.
Submission to the Independent Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Safe and Equal recently responded to the Independent Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Is someone you know in an abusive relationship? Here’s 6 things you can do.
Safe and Equal CEO Tania Farha explains what family violence can look like and gives us 6 tips for supporting our loved ones who may be experiencing abuse.
Safe and Equal responds to the introduction of standalone non-fatal strangulation offences in Victoria
As the peak body for specialist family violence services in Victoria, Safe and Equal welcomes initiatives that bring attention to non-fatal strangulation, as it is deeply connected to family violence risk, serious injury, and significant harm to victim survivors’ psychological and physical wellbeing.
Submission to the National Housing and Homelessness Plan
Safe and Equal welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the National Housing and Homelessness Plan, answering the question ‘How can governments and community service providers reduce homelessness and/or support people who may be at risk of becoming homeless in Australia?’
Response to National Autism Strategy
Safe and Equal recently responded to the consultations for the development of a National Autism Strategy being undertaken by the Department of Social Services
Urgent call for National Cabinet focus on family and gender-based violence deaths
In this joint letter, we are writing, as peak bodies, networks and organisations representing more than 200 specialist service providers and others working to end family and domestic violence across the country, to express our deep grief and outrage at the recent reports of the murders of women by their partners or former partners.
Setting the Scene: Impacts of the Reform Agenda
This address was presented by Safe and Equal CEO, Tania Farha as part of the Leading Change in Family Violence Symposium on Monday 4 December 2023. It formed part of the session alongside Deb Tsorbais (Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare), Setting the Scene: Impacts of the Reform Agenda.
Nurturing hope during the 16 Days of Activism
To commemorate this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign, we asked colleagues from across the sector to share what hope looks like to them, and how they maintain hope in their work to end family and gender-based violence.
Response to the Inquiry into the rental and housing affordability crisis in Victoria final report
Safe and Equal welcomes the Final Report of the Inquiry into the rental and housing affordability crisis in Victoria, released last week by the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee.
State budget cuts mean thousands of victim survivors to miss out on family violence support
In its 2024-25 State Budget Submission, Safe and Equal is calling for the Victorian Government to continue family violence response funding as a priority, alongside increased investment for safe and affordable housing and primary prevention initiatives to stop violence before it starts.
2024-25 Victorian State Budget Submission
Safe and Equal is calling on the Victorian Government to ensure family violence funding is continued, as one of four critical areas to prioritise in the 2024-25 State Budget.
Ending the cycle of family violence, poverty, and homelessness
Safe and Equal’s CEO Tania Farha explores how financial security and safe, accessible housing contribute to a victim survivor’s journey to recovery from family violence. This piece first appeared in Parity Magazine in October 2023
Submission to the Third Family Violence Rolling Action Plan
Safe and Equal welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the development of the third and final Rolling Action Plan (RAP) under ‘Ending family violence – Victoria’s 10-year plan for change’.
Invest in women – accelerate progress
This International Women’s Day, Safe and Equal welcomes the UN theme to invest in women for their economic empowerment.
PreventX: How we can prevent family and gender-based violence right now
As part of the PreventX 2024 conference, Safe and Equal hosted an in-person event for participants to pitch their innovative solutions and visions for the future of prevention in Australia.
Resources to support your Values-Based Messaging from PreventX 2024
In an effort to share knowledge and to continue the conversation from PreventX 2024, this blog contains a series of resources shared by speakers and facilitators during the conference.
Safe and Equal response to National Cabinet Announcement
Family and gender-based violence is complex – and addressing it requires a robust, thoughtful, and sustained response. While the actions announced by National Cabinet are welcome, they are simply not enough to create the positive change needed to protect victim survivors and prevent further harm.
Ask, listen and believe this Are You Safe at Home? Day 2024
This year’s Are You Safe At Home? Day 2024 is shining a spotlight on the significant role we can all play in our local communities to recognise and respond to family violence.