The Campaspe Family Violence Action Group released a number of priorities and actions which will help the region develop a deeper understanding and response to family violence and move towards gender equality.

Related: Advocacy group moves towards gender equality and preventing family violence in the Campaspe region

Strategic priorities include facilitating a region that promotes organisations and communities to be gender equitable in their practices, promotes equal and respectful relationship, understand gendered dynamics of family violence and promote women's equal participation in public and private life.

CFVAG chairwoman Yvette Jaczina said the group recognises the need to work with community to encourage greater understanding of gender equity.

"We know family and domestic violence is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality," she said.

The CVFAG will also prioritise facilitating a service system that has the understanding and capacity to respond appropriately to all who experience family violence in Campaspe.

It will do this by supporting the development of perpetrator programs, facilitating a lived experience workshop to work alongside women to identify local issues and inform service system responses to family violence, and promoting a system that works together.

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The group plans to achieve these, by aligning its activities with the Campaspe catchment Prevention and Health Promotion Plan, along with state-based peak bodies including Gender Equality Act 2020 (Vic), 16 Days of Activism, GenVic, OurWatch, VicHealth, Respect Victoria, Respectful Relationships.

CVFAG will promote an understanding of gender equity through capacity building and support at least one key event each year connecting the community, promoting its work and resources and highlighting the importance of women's leadership.

The Campaspe catchment Prevention and Health Promotion Plan focus areas for 2021 include gender equity, supporting workplaces to achieve the Gender Equality Act using the Our Watch toolkit, promoting and delivering equality and respect training, supporting gender equity in the early years sector and development of Campaspe specific gender equity and healthier masculinity clips.

While rates of family violence are under-reported, new data from Crime Statistics Agency data shows there were 731 family incidents reported to police in the Campaspe region in the 12 months to March this year.

The rate per 100,000 people is significantly higher than across the state, with 1944 family incidents per 100,000 people across Campaspe, and 1389 per 100,000 people state-wide.

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Ms Jaczina said the only way we can change behaviour is to address the drivers of violence against women and children.

"Violence is about power and control and is caused by attitudes that excuse or condone violence, limit a person's decision-making, adhere to rigid gender roles and disrespect women," she said.

For further information on today's launch of the Campaspe Family Violence Action Group Strategic Priorities, contact Emma Brentnall, Campaspe Primary Care Partnership executive officer on 5484 4489

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, help is available:

In an emergency, phone 000

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