Not for profit organisation, Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) celebrates an eventful year of collective action from across the region in preventing violence against women and children.

Over the last two years, WHISE has led the development of a regional strategy for Preventing Violence Against Women and their Children, partnering with over 30 organisations, including local councils and community health services.

Since the launch of the Strategy in 2016, the commitment by partner organisations to make a meaningful impact on the prevention of violence against women and children in our region has grown from strength to strength.

“We’re very proud to share the actions which have been taken by our partners thus far to help ensure women and children in our region feel safe and live free from violence,” says Ms Michelle Jones, PVAW Coordinator, WHISE.

• Bayside City Council, in collaboration and support of Southern Melbourne Primary Care Partnership (SMPCP), joined the One Million Stars initiative, which began in response to the attack and murder of Jill Meagher. The hand-made stars were a way to bring about meaningful conversations to end violence in our communities. Thirty-four community organisations were involved with 500 community members reached. A total of 13,000 stars were made forming part of the 1 million stars’ installation designed and hosted by the Museum of Brisbane.
• In partnership with Port Phillip, Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston, Monash, Stonnington and SMPCP, WHISE developed the Gender Equity Workplace e-Learning Module, which focused on building workforce knowledge and understanding of primary prevention of family violence. This module has been well received and will be incorporated into local governments’ induction processes and rolled out across councils and community organisations across the State on an on-going basis.
• Cardinia Shire Council and Family Life ran the “Together We Can” Community Leadership Summit, bringing together 126 community leaders and 11 sectors of the community. During the summit, WHISE delivered Gender Equity Training and 10 community solutions were created to address family violence. Cardinia also provided media support, addressing the broader media community on best practice of reporting violence, specifically surrounding language used. Additionally, over 70 articles pertaining to increasing awareness of violence definitions, violence prevention, healing from trauma, and promoting local services and events, were published in the Star News Group in Cardinia.
• Only last month, Port Philip, Safe Steps, Salvation Army Family Violence Crisis Service, Victoria Police, Stonnington, South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence (SECASA) and City of Melbourne participated in the 2017 Annual Walk Against Family Violence at Federation Square.
• SECASA participated in the Strengthening Hospitals Responses to Family Violence, presenting information about family violence at Monash Medical Centre.
• In partnership with SMPCP and the Bayside Peninsula Integrated Family Violence Partnership, WHISE delivered Gender Equity Training to the following organisations: Connect Health and Community, Bayside City Council, Central Bayside Community Health Services, Glen Eira City Council and Jewish Care. This Gender Equity Training explored best practice approaches to embedding gender equity within organisations.
• After the Leadership team and Board of Directors at Connect Health and Community participated in WHISE Gender Equity Training, a Workforce Employee and Organisation-wide Family Violence Policy and Procedure document to support staff, clients and community members who present with family violence was implemented.

As we move into 2018, WHISE will continue to collaborate with partner organisations across the region to help end violence against women.

To find out more on the Strategy or to access the Southern Metropolitan Region Family Violence Support Resource, please visit South Safe

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. For more information about a service in your state or local area download the DAISY App in the App Store or Google Play.