Illustrations of the primary prevention workforce across Victoria
Primary prevention of family and gender-based violence is led by a highly skilled, dedicated and diverse workforce, operating across a range of locations, settings and communities. These workers bring deep expertise and a commitment to driving meaningful change.
Portraits of Prevention profiles some of these practitioners – who they are, their backgrounds, their strengths and skills, the challenges they navigate and how they continue to learn and grow in an evolving landscape.
It builds on the findings of Foundations for Action, which identified a need for improved visibility and valuing of the diversity of prevention work being undertaken across sectors, settings, communities and locations, and of the people doing it.
Primary prevention practice has continued to evolve in Victoria. These portraits draw on individual interviews, small focus groups, and a post-interview validation process with participants and sector leaders. They offer an illuminating illustration of the diverse, effective, high-quality and innovative prevention work being undertaken across the state, and the rich professional and lived experience expertise that drives it.
The portraits are being shared here as a resource to celebrate and platform these workers. There are 15 Portraits of Prevention, each telling the story of an individual worker or team delivering primary prevention in Victoria. You can choose to explore portraits from particular settings or communities that interest you, or read the full collection below.
These portraits were undertaken by Jackson Fairchild and Amelia Ditcham in 2024-25. Safe and Equal would like to acknowledge that this work is funded by the Centre for Workforce Excellence in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
Read the Portraits of Prevention below
Mel
Women’s health service
Mel is a program manager leading a gendered violence prevention program at a Women’s Health organisation, which is part of Victoria’s Women’s Health Services Network.
Starlady
LGBTIQ+ primary prevention – Zoe Belle Gender Collective
Zoe Belle Gender Collective is a small trans and gender diverse-led advocacy organisation that was previously funded as a pilot project under Rainbow Health Australia’s primary prevention project.
Jessica
Sport setting
Jessica is a manager in a specialist gendered violence prevention team that is funded to build the capacity of community sport and recreation to address and prevent gender-based violence.
Samantha
Specialist primary prevention
Samantha is a senior practice leader working in one of the small number of specialist organisations that are solely focused on primary prevention.
Djirra
Aboriginal-led prevention
Djirra is dedicated to early intervention and the prevention of family violence. Djirra brings a holistic approach to prevention, grounded in culture, community and connection.
Kellie
Local government
Kellie is a policy adviser and prevention practice leader at the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), where she oversees initiatives to enhance local government’s capacity in primary prevention.
Soizic
Preventing violence against women with disabilities
Soizic is a Lead at a state-wide Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) that advocates for the rights, safety and respect of women and gender diverse people with disabilities.
Daniel
Masculinities and working with men and boys
Daniel is a practitioner working in a practice leadership role in a program specialising in masculinities and working with men and boys.
Naomi
Migrant and refugee communities
Naomi leads a primary prevention program that focuses on preventing violence against migrant and refugee women.
Shweta
Early intervention
Shweta is a program manager leading a gendered violence prevention and early intervention program at a Women’s Health organisation, which is part of Victoria’s Women’s Health Services Network.
Anthony
Vocational education setting
Anthony is a project lead at a TAFE, supporting initiatives that promote gender equity, diversity and inclusion, and prevent violence.
Jade
Specialist family violence response service
Jade is a CEO leading a women’s support service that also delivers primary prevention programs.
Kate
Sexual assault response
Kate is a senior Counsellor Advocate working at a Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA).
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