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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

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

Downloads

Prevention strategy:

Free From Violence Victoria’s - Prevention Strategy PDF 6.48 MB (opens in a new window)

Free From Violence - Victoria’s Prevention Strategy Word 306.5 KB (opens in a new window)

First action plan:

Free From Violence - First Action Plan 2018-2021 PDF 4.83 MB (opens in a new window)

Free From Violence - First Action Plan 2018-2021 Word 73.14 KB (opens in a new window)

Second action plan:

Free from Violence - Second Action Plan 2022-2025 PDF 1.58 MB (opens in a new window)

Free from Violence - Second Action Plan 2022-2025 accessible Word 185.09 KB (opens in a new window)

References and resources:

Free from Violence - References and Resources PDF 521.95 KB (opens in a new window)

Free from Violence - References and Resources Word 115.5 KB (opens in a new window)

Free from Violence – Second Action Plan 2022–2025

Victoria’s strategy to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women.

Free from violence – First Action Plan 2018–2021

Victoria’s strategy to prevent family violence and all forms of violence against women.

Health & social support

Updated 5 April 2022

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