Friday 1st February 2019

Speaking out to end violence against women

  • Approximately one quarter of women in Australia have experienced at least one incident of violence by an intimate partner.
  • Australian women are most likely to experience physical and sexual violence in their home, at the hands of a former or current male partner.
  • On average, one woman a week is killed by her intimate partner.

(Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, 2018)

Despite these statistics, the voices of women who have experienced violence and abuse are often missing from the media.

In partnership with Our Watch, Tasmanian family violence service Engender Equality is facilitating a media advisory training program called Advocates for Change.

“The Advocates for Change program offers training to Tasmanian survivors of family violence to safely tell their story. It aims to improve the reporting of family violence in Tasmania and address the stigma that family violence victim’s experience,” explains Alina Thomas CEO of Engender Equality.

The Tasmanian Government is a member of Our Watch, the national organisation set up to drive change in the culture that leads to violence against women. Our Watch focuses on strengthening primary prevention messages, highlighting the connections between gender inequality and violence against women.

“Engender is very excited to be running this program with Our Watch. Over the years we have had many women want to share their experience to support other people who have experienced family violence and this program will give the resources to make that happen in a safe way,” Ms Thomas explained.

Training is free for participants and will be conducted in Hobart and Launceston.

Expression of interest remain open until Friday 8 February 2019 and can be completed online via this link: https://form.jotform.co/83378373663872

For all media enquiries please contact:

Alina Thomas

0438 788 291