Key messages:
- A new program called Men Against Violence is set to run in sports clubs in the Midwest of Western Australia to address gendered drivers of family violence and educate men and boys about the importance of healthy relationships in preventing family violence.
- Clubs have the opportunity to be involved in the program that works with coaches and their teams to tackle family violence through the promotion of respectful behaviours and gender equality.
- The program will work with clubs to develop policies and actions that promote gender equality.
A new program is set to run in Geraldton and Mullewa sports clubs to educate young men and boys of the importance of healthy relationships in preventing family violence, while also improving gender equality into sports club cultures.
Health promotion graduate Luke Ringin has been granted a six-month 2019 Australian Health Promotion Association (WA Branch) Health Promotion Scholarship funded by Healthway to work on a Men Against Violence program at the WA Centre for Rural Health of The University of Western Australia in Geraldton.
Developed in partnership with the Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation and sports clubs in the Midwest, the program aims to engage with young men and boys in sports clubs to create awareness of the importance of respect for self and others in developing healthy relationships while promoting gender equality.
The program will involve the delivery of training and educational resources to club coaches, staff and members to help understand the gender drivers of family violence, and how to be strong role models and educators for young men and boys.
Clubs and sporting organisations will also be encouraged to consider adopting policies that encourage gender equality and respect, and penalise disrespectful behaviours.
The Men Against Violence program aligns with the Community, Respect and Equality (CRE) Strategic Action Plan for prevention of family violence in Geraldton.
The CRE action plan is a primary prevention strategy that identifies how community driven projects can be focussed to address social norms that drive the high levels of family violence we see in Geraldton.
Director of the WA Centre for Rural Health Professor Sandra Thompson said: "As an organisation, WACRH is deeply committed to improving health outcomes so we are pleased to be able to support the development and delivery of this program."
“Family violence contributes more to the burden of disease of women aged 18-44 years than any other risk factor, including smoking and road accidents,” Professor Thompson said.
“We know promotion of gender equality and respectful relationships is an important factor in preventing family violence before it starts.
Having been part of the CRE project since its inception, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Regional Manager Richard Malacari said that sport provides a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with community members to support the healthy growth and development of our young people, the future leaders and role models of our community.
“Fostering cultures in sporting clubs that promote respect and equality between men and women and call out disrespect and aggression encourages the development of positive peer group behaviours between the young people in the club,” Mr Malacari said.
The MAV program has an Advisory Group with members represented from the WA Centre for Rural Health, Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation, Department of Communities, Department of Local Government Sports and Cultural Industries, and local Aboriginal community members.
If you are a member of a Midwest sport club interested in being involved in this program, call Luke Ringin on 9956 0200 or email luke.ringin@uwa.edu.au.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Media contact: Mia Jeffrey, Marketing and Communications Officer - (08) 9956 0225 - Mia.Jeffrey@uwa.edu.au