Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ continuing connection to land, waters and culture and pay our respect to Elders past and present.Sovereignty was never ceded. This was, is and always will be Aboriginal land.

How do we prevent gender-based violence?

To best understand what primary prevention is, imagine a triangle divided into three sections.

The top is crisis intervention, this represents responses to violence after it’s happened.

The middle section is early intervention. This is about changing the path of people who are at higher risk of experiencing or using violence.

The large base of the triangle is primary prevention. It challenges us all to address the gendered drivers of violence.

Violence is preventable and evidence tells us that gender equality is the answer.

There are five actions that will reduce violence and the conditions that allow it to happen:

Promoting gender equality.

Empowering women and girls.

Challenging gender stereotypes.

Building respectful relationships.

And, challenging violence against women in all its forms.

Starting a conversation and taking action can happen in all sorts of places—government, businesses, organisations, schools, workplaces, even around the family dinner table. It’s most effective when we’re all on the same page.

Just as we’ve changed our thinking and behaviour around other things that impact on our health like smoking, HIV and Covid-19 we can work towards creating a society where the next generation don’t support or excuse violence.

Together we can create a world where no one reaches the pointy end of the triangle.

If you or someone you know needs support in Australia call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or go to www.wagec.org.au