Sport is a core part of our identity here in Victoria. It is an important setting to address the harmful attitudes and behaviours that can lead to family and gender-based violence in our communities.
In recognition of this, 12 sporting organisations across Victoria will share in $1.8 million in funding to address the attitudes and behaviours that lead to family and gender-based violence, through the Victorian Government’s Preventing Violence Through Sport Grants Program.
Minister for Community Sport and Prevention of Family Violence Ros Spence says, “Our community sporting clubs can play a vital role in shifting attitudes and clubs like these are leading the way, creating opportunities to address inequality and promote safe environments for all to get active.”
This work builds on the evidence-base gathered by leading voices in the prevention sector, which shows that sporting communities play an influential role in shaping our attitudes, behaviours and knowledge around respectful relationships.
Projects funded under the program are informed by the Preventing Violence Against Women: Taking Action Through Community Sport guidelines. These guidelines are a practical resource that ensures a whole-of-sport approach to engaging young people and the broader community in the gendered drivers of family violence, sexual violence and all forms of violence against women.
Funding will see Melbourne Storm, NRL Victoria and the National Rugby League backed to expand the Storm Stand Up, Speak Out and Take Action project, with a $128,500 grant. This investment will support NRL role models to engage with community clubs to strengthen prevention through workshops and training drills.
Other recipients include the Collingwood, Dandenong, Gippsland, Wallan, Southern Peninsula, Bendigo and Broadmeadows Basketball Associations, which will together receive $160,000 to develop intervention and prevention programs.
We are proud to be working at all levels of sport towards a life free from violence for every Victorian.
More information
Find the complete list of recipients on the Preventing violence through sport grants program page of the Sports website.