Free from violence: Victoria's strategy to prevent family violence

Our Free from violence strategy responds to Royal Commission Recommendation 187. The strategy looks at where inequality and violent behaviour is shaped, early intervention and crisis response.

The Free from violence strategy is Victoria’s plan to break the cycle of family violence and violence against women.

Primary prevention requires social and cultural change. Everyone has a role to in play in challenging the drivers of violence where they live, work, learn and play. Preventing violence before it starts reduces pressure on early intervention and crisis response.

For women over the age of 15

  • 1 in 3 has experienced physical violence
  • 1 in 4 has experienced physical or sexual violence
  • 1 in 5 has experienced sexual violence
  • women with disabilities are 40% more likely to be the victims of family violence than women without disabilities
  • 90% of Australian women with an intellectual disability have been subjected to sexual abuse, with 68% having been sexually abused before they turn 18 years of age
  • Aboriginal women are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised for family violence

Costs to Victoria’s community and economy

  • $3.4 billion per year to the Australian economy
  • $7.8 billion per year to the taxpayer
  • $10.4 billion per year for pain, suffering and premature mortality

Priorities of the plan

  1. Build prevention structures and systems
  2. Scale up and build on what we know works
  3. Trial new and innovative approaches to prevention
  4. Research and evaluate to build our knowledge of what works
  5. Engage and communicate with Victorians

Downloads

Prevention strategy:

Free From Violence Victoria's - Prevention Strategy
PDF 6.48 MB
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Free From Violence - Victoria's Prevention Strategy
Word 306.5 KB
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First action plan:

Free From Violence - First Action Plan 2018-2021
PDF 4.83 MB
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Free From Violence - First Action Plan 2018-2021
Word 73.14 KB
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Second action plan:

Free from Violence - Second Action Plan 2022-2025
PDF 1.58 MB
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Free from Violence - Second Action Plan 2022-2025 accessible
Word 185.09 KB
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References and resources:

Free from Violence - References and Resources
PDF 521.95 KB
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Free from Violence - References and Resources
Word 115.5 KB
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Updated