Family and sexual violence capability frameworks

The Victorian Government has released three capability frameworks to support workers across the family violence service system understand the knowledge and skills they need to prevent and respond to family and sexual violence safely and effectively. They were developed in partnership with the family and sexual violence sectors.

The Responding to Family Violence and Primary Prevention of Family and Gendered Based Violence Capability Frameworks were originally released in 2017, and were updated in 2026. To accompany these frameworks is the new Responding to Sexual Assault and Harmful Behaviours Capability Framework, specifically for the specialist sexual violence workforce.

The capability frameworks can be used by workers and organisations for a range of purposes, including:

• informing workforce development activities and organisational planning
• shaping and informing training, professional development programs and qualifications
• enhancing career planning and performance assessment and management
• supporting a better understanding of family and sexual violence across workforces
• improving cross-sector collaboration.

The three capability frameworks are separate yet complimentary documents, uniquely tailored to their intended workforces. They have been developed with recognition of the intersecting and overlapping nature of family and sexual violence, and the similarities and differences in the knowledge and skills required for safe and effective prevention and response.