Dr Emma Partridge, Special Advisor, Primary Prevention at Our Watch, Australia’s national primary prevention organisation, is interviewed by Cat Schofield (Executive Director of Nursing and Director of Services, Statewide Mental Health Services) for our Family Violence Prevention Month series.

During the conversation, Emma speaks about Change the Story - the world’s first national framework for the primary prevention of violence against women. The framework, which Emma helped write, explores the underlying, gendered drivers of violence, as well as the actions we must take to address them.

Emma explains that preventing violence requires shifting deep-rooted inequalities, rather than relying solely on crisis responses. However, she reassures us that change is possible through long-term, collective effort.

Emma also explores what effective prevention looks like in practice. She speaks about empowering both women and men to be part of the solution, and what we can do as individuals, organisations, and a society to stop violence before it happens. 

Resources:

• Change the story – our national framework for the prevention violence against women.
• Changing the picture – which focuses on the prevention of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children
• Changing the landscape - our framework to prevent violence against women and girls with disabilities
• The Line – a behavioural change campaign that helps young people negotiate healthy, respectful and consensual relationships.
• Men In Focus - addressing masculinities and working with men in the prevention of men’s violence against women
• Workplace Equality and Respect - a guide to embedding gender equality in your workplace and preventing gender-based violence

Support:

If this episode has raised any concerns for you, you can call 1800 RESPECT, that’s 1800 737 732, to talk to a counsellor from the national sexual assault and domestic violence hotline.

Alternatively, you could call Tasmania’s Family Violence Counselling and Support Service on 1800 608 122.

If you have concerns about your safety or that of someone else, please contact police or call 000 for emergency help.