Victoria creates first-of-its-kind role to address violence against women

A NEW parliamentary role has been established within the Victorian government to help address violence against women across the state.

Premier Jacinta Allan announced on Tuesday (May 28) that Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson would be stepping into the newly created role of parliamentary secretary for men’s behaviour change.

In a statement, Ms Allen said the position was part of the Labor government’s commitment to “make Victoria a safer place for women and children” and to continuing working “to end the tragedy of deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men”.

She confirmed the role was the first of its kind in Australia and “will focus largely on the influence the internet and social media have on boys’ and men’s attitudes towards women and building respectful relationships”.

It comes as Destroy the Joint’s ‘Counting Dead Women’ register, which counts every known death due to violence against women in Australia, rises to 31 women since the start of the year.

Sharing news of his appointment on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Mr Richardson said the significance of the role was not lost on him.

“We know that the time to act on men’s violence against women is now and it starts with us men and boys,” he said.

“We must make Victoria a safer place for women and children and work to end the tragedy of deaths of Victorian women at the hands of men.

“This is not easy work, but it is important, and we can’t afford not to address it and waste a moment.”

He said the role would see him work alongside minister for the prevention of family violence, Vicki Ward.

The Premier’s announcement comes less than a month after the dismissal of South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman from the Labor Party following multiple allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards female staff.

While the Premier did not specify the details of the allegations at the time, she confirmed that the nature of the complaints did not necessitate police involvement.