Program seeks funding to make it mainstream

Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West has joined a coalition of groups calling for the statewide expansion of a program that addresses violence against women with disabilities.

The Margins to the Mainstream (M2M) project was developed in response to the prevalence and seriousness of violence against women with disabilities.

It extended from the years of collaborative work undertaken by the Together For Equality and Respect partnership on the primary prevention of violence against women.

Delivered in Melbourne’s east over five years and the only program of its kind in Australia, M2M enabled more than 30 organisations, including women’s and community health services, local government, Aboriginal services, universities, utility services, and specialist community legal and family violence services, to hear from lived experience experts.

“Women with disabilities are more likely to experience violence, abuse and harassment than women without disability,” Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West chief executive officer Jodie Hill said.

“M2M is a unique, evidence-based project to prevent violence against women with disabilities and it’s ready for statewide rollout, including in the Barwon South West region.”

Late last year, the Victorian Women’s Health Service Network held an online launch for its bid for investment in M2M program in the coming Victorian state budget.

Broadcaster, writer, speaker and disability advocate, Jacinta Parsons hosted a panel with lived experience experts and partner organisations positively affected by the program.

Dr Wei Leng Kwok, a specialist in the primary prevention of gender-based violence and a highly experienced program evaluator, gave the keynote address.

M2M was funded to the end of June 2024 though the federal Department of Social Services, and the campaign is seeking funding from other sources to continue and expand the program’s important work.

“Having the opportunity to share our experiences, and actually be listened to, it felt so validating,” lived experience expert Julie-Ann said.

Ms Hill said the M2M model was ready to be scaled up to drive long-term, sustainable change towards equality and safety for women with disabilities in Victoria.

“Addressing violence against women with disabilities is an urgent priority.

“The Victorian Women’s Health Services Network is calling on the Victorian government to expand funding for statewide expansion, further affirming Victoria’s role as a leader in the prevention of violence against women.”

For more information, head to whe.org.au/tfer/margins-to-the-mainstream