FCFCOA hosts Family Violence Prevention Forum in Melbourne

• Address the urgent challenges of domestic and family violence 
• Spur cultural change, including in male-dominated, influential sectors 
• Push for evidence-based strategies to prevent violence before it begins 
• Inform and inspire community leaders, particularly men, to take active steps to prevent violence against women 
• Consider collaborative strategies 
• Gain insights from successful programs aiming to engage men and boys, challenge harmful norms, and promote healthy and respectful masculinity 

The forum also sought to capitalise on the momentum from the FCFCOA’s ‘Family violence – it’s just not on’ video campaign, established last year. The campaign included messages from prominent Australian men against family violence. 

“The Courts see firsthand the devastating impact family violence has on women, children and families,” Foster said. “Our responsibility is clear: we must continue building a system that is safer, earlier and more responsive.” 

More on forum

In information provided ahead of the forum, the FCFCOA shared that Tarang Chawla, whose 23-year-old sister Nikita had been murdered, would chair a panel discussion. 

“Family violence is not a women’s issue - it is a men’s behaviour issue,” Tarang Chawla said. “Until men are willing to challenge other men to a higher standard, nothing will fundamentally change and we all suffer.” 

The FCFCOA stated that the following would join the panel discussion: 

• Darcy Moore, captain of the Collingwood Football Club
• Harris Andrews, captain of the Brisbane Lions
• Ben Vasiliou, Man Cave’s chief executive officer 
• Dr Zac Seidler, Movember’s global director of research 

“If we're serious about ending domestic and family violence, we need to call men in, not just call them out,” Seidler said. 

“The outcomes from today’s forum will be far reaching and show men and boys that violence is never the answer,” Vasiliou added. 

The FCFCOA stated that it expected to hear from the following Australian authorities on prevention and social change: 

• Sam Mostyn, Australia’s governor-general 
• Michelle Rowland, Australia’s attorney-general 
• Ged Kearney, assistant minister for the prevention of family violence 
• Micaela Cronin, commissioner of the Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Commission 
• Luke Ablett, director for strategic engagement of the Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Commission 
• Patty Kinnersly, Our Watch’s CEO 
• Kate Jenkins, the Australian Sports Commission’s chair 
• Matt Tyler, executive director for community and systems impact of the Men’s Project, Jesuit Social Services 
• Phil Cleary, writer, anti-violence campaigner, and member of the inaugural Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council 
• Carolyn Robinson, Beyond DV’s founder 
• Kate Fitz-Gibbon, professor at the Monash Business School
• Lisa Pusey, director for engagement and impact of the Champions of Change Coalition 

“When leaders step up, they send a powerful message: domestic and family violence is not a private issue, it’s a workplace and community issue that demands our action,” Pusey said. 

The FCFCOA noted that representatives from Clemenger BBDO would also discuss best practices for effecting behavioural change. 

The FCFCOA shared some pictures from the event via a LinkedIn post.