New $3.7 million funding to promote respectful relationships

The Australian Government is providing 11 organisations with $3.7 million in new funding to encourage healthy relationships among young people as a way of reducing violence against women.

The Minister for the Status of Women, Julie Collins MP, and Senator for Tasmania, Carol Brown, today announced the 11 recipients of grants for the third round of the Government’s Respectful Relationships initiative during a visit to one of the successful applicants, the Migrant Resource Centre (Southern Tasmania) Inc. in Hobart.

“Educating young people on how to engage in respectful relationships is an important way of working towards breaking the cycle of violence against women,” Ms Collins said.

“We’ve already delivered Respectful Relationships education to more than 33,000 young people across Australia and this new $3.7 million in funding will make it possible to reach thousands more.

“Sadly, there is still a great need in Australia for programs such as Respectful Relationships – nearly one in three Australian women has experienced physical violence and one in five has been the victim of sexual assault.

“Changing entrenched attitudes is a long-term challenge, but some great work is being done through Respectful Relationships projects.

“Since the program started in 2009, we have invested $9.1 million in 32 projects to help equip young people with the skills to engage in respectful relationships,” Ms Collins said.

Senator Brown congratulated the Migrant Resource Centre of Southern Tasmania Inc. on its successful bid for what will be an important program for the local community. It has received $238,000 to carry out the program.

“The Centre will deliver a respectful relationships program to high school students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Southern Tasmania,” Senator Brown said.

“The program will include education sessions with students as well as workshops for teachers and school staff.

“It will address a number of issues including gender stereotyping, media influence, ethical conduct and skills-building and will make a big impact on students in the area,” Senator Brown said.

Other successful applicants include the Women’s Health West in Victoria – which trains young women to become peer educators and YWCA NSW. YWCA NSW will implement the Kids, Family & Community project using school-based educational activities and information sessions for parents.

“These programs cover a range of approaches, showing the diversity of initiatives the Government has put in place in this important area,” Ms Collins said.

“This funding is part of our $86 million National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

“The National Plan brings together all governments and the non-government sector to co-ordinate efforts to reduce violence against women.

“The Australian Government is supporting other significant prevention initiatives under the National Plan, including Community Action Grants and The Line campaign,” Ms Collins said.

A copy of the National Plan is available from www.fahcsia.gov.au