Domestic and Family Violence

Overview

Wagga Wagga's recorded rate of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) is 29 per cent higher than the NSW average. In 2016, the Wagga Women's Health Centre (WWHC) undertook a Community Attitudes survey in Wagga Wagga that identified many community members hold low support for gender equality; adhere to rigid or stereotypical gender roles; and hold attitudes and beliefs that justify or excuse, trivialise or minimise DFV, and blame the victim. In 2018 the WWHC secured funding of $1.2 million from the Department of Communities and Justice to roll out a pilot primary prevention project with the aim to reduce the rate of DFV in Wagga Wagga.

Key project activities include:

• Internal organisational change (at Council) – creating equitable and respectful workplaces across our community
• Engagement with sectors across our community – collaborating with businesses, organisations, educational institutes and sporting clubs across Wagga
• Community campaigning – large scale campaigning across our city targeting all demographics

These activities aim to reduce attitudes, behaviours and beliefs that justify or excuse DFV in our city.

We request

Continued support from the State and Federal Government to assist with educating the community on the causes of violence against women and their children, promote gender equality and respect, and challenge rigid gender roles and stereotypes.

Partnering with Wagga Women’s Health Centre (WWHC), continue to undertake funding scans with the objective of continuing theDVProject:2650 beyond the 30 June 2021.

Strategic alignment

Community Strategic Plan: Safety and Health