Our Watch

Our Watch welcomes the NT Government’s commitment to working towards ending domestic, family and sexual violence in the Territory. This month, we prepared a submission to the Legislative Scrutiny Committee of the Northern Territory Parliament: Domestic and Family Violence and Victims’ Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. Our submission draws on the evidence from Change the story and Changing the picture. You can read our full submission on our website below: https://bit.ly/42tQJFD

Rigid gender norms and discrimination are some of the drivers of violence against women. They're also some of the drivers of violence against LGBTIQA+ people and communities. By working together to tackle these drivers, we can create a future where everyone is safe, respected and free to be themselves. [Alt: 1. Navy text on a blue background: Research shows that LGBTIQA+ people experience particularly high rates of domestic, family and sexual violence. Source: A life course approach to determining the prevalence and impact of sexual violence in Australia, ANROWS, 2022. Arrow pointing to next tile. 2. Green and cream text on a navy background: LGBTIQA+ people also experience discrimination at a system level, in areas like work, religion, schooling, healthcare and social service provision. Arrow pointing to next tile. 3. Navy text on a green background: When LGBTIQA+ people are devalued in this way, violence against them can be normalised or accepted. Arrow pointing to next tile. 4. Navy text on a cream background: Let’s build a future free from violence for everybody. Green illustration of a rainbow.]

Media reporting can be a powerful way to improve our understanding of violence against women. Images and visuals play a crucial role in that. When used sensitively, they can contribute to ending harmful stereotypes of violence, victim-survivors and perpetrators. That's why we have developed guidelines for media professionals, editors and producers reporting on violence against women. Find the full set of guidelines on our website: https://lnkd.in/ghZpRK7S [Alt: 1. Navy text on a green background: Tips for media reporting of violence against women. Choosing images. Arrow to next tile. 2. Green text on a navy background: Use a strengths-based approach. This means centering women, their agency, and affirming their basic human right to live free from violence. Show women and their children in places of safety and security. Demonstrate their connection with communities to portray a sense of shared responsibility and support, rather than victim-survivors in isolation. 3. Navy text on a green background: When choosing images of victim-survivors: Show the humanity, resilience and strength of women and non-binary people. Be respectful and consider what the chosen imagery says about them. Do not use images from social media without permission. 4. Navy text on a cream background: Avoid stereotypes including: Images of men with clenched or raised fists, and women depicted as passive, fearful or cowering. Images presenting women as overtly sexualised. Depictions of men as monstrous, large and/or physically threatening.]

What is ableism? Laura Pettenuzzo and Renay Barker-Mulholland share their thoughts below. Want to learn more? We have collaborated with Women with Disabilities Victoria to create resources sharing the words and insights of women with lived experience of disability. Find them on our website: https://bit.ly/462AdxP [Video description: In a series of shots, Laura and Renay speak to the camera in front of a cream background. The end of the video changes to navy text on a cream background: Get Real #3 Unlearning ableism and gender inequality. Watch the full video, visit ourwatch.org.au. Our Watch and Women with Disabilities Victoria logos.]

"The full picture is missing at the moment in terms of perpetration data. That lack of evidence restricts the ability of governments to make evidence-informed decisions… We need interventions and we need the system to work across primary prevention, early intervention, response and recovery. We need all parts of the system to work really effectively together and have the best evidence to inform that work." Last year, Our Watch's Director of Government Relations, Policy and Evidence Amanda Alford and Team Leader - Evidence, Monitoring and Outcomes Ebony King spoke at the Inquiry into capturing data on family violence perpetrators in Victoria. Our Watch also prepared a submission for the inquiry. The inquiry's final report was tabled in April, featuring a number of quotes from our submission. We welcome the recommendations in the report, including the recommendation for a population-level survey. You can read it on the Vic Parliament website here: https://lnkd.in/gtMr_25H [Alt: Ebony King sits at a table and speaks into a microphone. To the left, Amanda Alford sits and listens.]

In-person training opportunity in Brisbane! We’re offering 2 free full-day workshops from 1st – 2nd May. These workshops are designed for people with at least 12 months' experience in the prevention sector. Participants must have already completed Introduction to Change the story training. Learn more and register below! https://lnkd.in/g6RTtuzt

How can we involve men and boys in prevention? Women's Health in the South East, South East Community Links, Springvale Rise Primary School (SRPS) Community Hub and Melbourne Football Club partnered for a fantastic program that aimed to build trust, emotional connection and community. Read more below! #ThisIsPrevention

Men can play their part in ending violence against women by showing respect. We asked experts, including RMIT University's Prevention Masculinities and Learning Manager Shelley Hewson-Munro, for their insights into working with men and boys to prevent violence against women. Find the full series of videos on our website: https://lnkd.in/gpgaQzju [Video description: A collage-style animation of Shelley Hewson-Munro on a surfboard. The video cuts to Shelley sitting in front of a green background, speaking to camera.]

The media has the opportunity to change the structures, systems and attitudes that lead to violence against women. Interviewing experts to understand the issue is the first step. Learn from experts in media and journalism by watching the full video on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ggkm8UWf [Video description: A clip of Dan Bourchier, First Nations journalist and broadcaster, speaking directly to camera is embedded in front of a navy background, while audio waves move with their voice.]

There is already important work happening across the country to prevent violence against women. We have identified three specific opportunities for 2025 to build on existing work that will make a significant difference at a national level. Read our full submission on our website: https://lnkd.in/g7F-H-mG [Alt: One-page document post. At the top, a photo of a man and woman in an office, having a meeting. The woman is talking and smiling. Underneath, the title reads: National opportunities for prevention of violence against women. Body text: 1. Develop a National Workforce Development Strategy with a prevention stream 2. Standardise and strengthen media codes of practice on reporting on violence against women 3. Ongoing, sustainable investment for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence. Want to learn more? We have developed a document outlining the key national opportunities for primary prevention in Australia. Read the full document on our website.]