Session aims to empower male sports leadersto help end violence

A FREE education session next week will aim to empower local male sports leaders to use their respected positions in the community to help prevent violence against women.

Coming up on Monday evening, 1 September at Selkirk Stadium, Wendouree, the dedicated free session is being run by Women’s Health Grampians (WHG) in partnership with Respect Victoria.

“Sport holds an important place in the community, especially rural and regional communities,” WHG gender and sport lead Dee Angelina Micevski said.

“Men in sporting clubs, especially those in leadership positions, can help address the gendered issue of violence against women, as well as raise community consciousness around this issue and mobilise efforts from other men to do the same.”

A WHG spokesperson said new data shows four in five men surveyed want to change the alarming rates of violence against women, but 43 per cent are not sure how to.

“The survey is from the national violence prevention organisation, OurWatch, and it shows that a greater focus is needed to help men and boys understand what action they can take to help end violence against women,” the spokesperson said. “All men, but especially those in leadership roles and positions of power, play a significant part in the structural and cultural change needed to end the sexism and disrespect towards women that leads to violence.”

WHG leads the regional partnership of Communities of Respect and Equality (CoRE) Alliance, a partnership of over 140 workplaces, sporting clubs and schools that share a vision for a safe and respectful community where all people live free from violence.

Respect Victoria has been working closely with WHG and Ballarat-based CoRE members, and is supporting Monday’s dedicated session as part of a saturation model to address rates of gendered violence in the Ballarat community.

Organisers of the session say that 21 per cent of CoRE members are from the Grampians region sport and recreation sector, “enabling the power of sport to influence community attitudes in order to help prevent violence”.

Monday evening’s session is open to male leaders in any club located in the region, with more information at whg.org.au.