All women have a right to feel safe in their community but for too many this isn’t the case – that’s why the Allan Labor Government will provide immediate support to the City of Ballarat to implement initiatives to prevent violence against women.

Ballarat is mourning the loss of three loved local women – Rebecca Young, Samantha Murphy and Hannah McGuire, as a result of violence alleged to have been carried out by men.

Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Vicki Ward yesterday visited Ballarat to announce a $250,000 investment to help end family violence through a number of initiatives across Ballarat as part of the Free from Violence Local Government Program 2024-27.

As a central organisation in Ballarat with strong connections to the local community, Ballarat City Council plays a vital role in preventing family violence and other violence against women, who all have a right to live safely in their community.

The council will work closely with the community in addressing family violence through a new awareness campaign and engage with local businesses, community groups and male leaders on how to address the attitudes some other men hold.

The funding will also be used to develop a family and gendered violence prevention strategy, train staff and councillors in calling out violence against women and share what it learns with other Councils.

The Free from Violence Local Government Program 2024-27 supports councils to carry out violence prevention initiatives to ensure women feel safe in their own community.

The Labor Government is working to prevent family violence and violence against women and put a stop to it when it occurs by reaching Victorians of all ages and addressing the attitudes, beliefs, systems and structures that contribute to the problem.

We will continue our nation-leading work to ensure women in Victoria live safely, happily and free from violence.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Vicki Ward

“This recent violent loss of the lives of Rebecca, Samantha and Hannah in Ballarat highlight a brutal truth – that too many Victorian women aren’t safe in their own community. This is not ok.

“This grant will deliver local initiatives addressing family violence, violence against women and importantly, engage men in this conversation, helping to ensure the women of Ballarat are safe in their own community and homes.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“The Ballarat community has rallied together after the recent deaths of local women and expressed their wish that all women live safely here and across Victoria.

“I am proud that we can help deliver these vital initiatives that will help to prevent violence against women and make the women of Ballarat feel safer.”