Stopping family violence before it starts

 Family violence prevention services in the outer east have received a boost.

Prevention of Family Violence Minister Natalie Hutchins announced $500,000 for five programs on Friday 6 July.

Funding to the Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC), which has a presence in Healesville, Boronia and Box Hill, will continue a program to prevent elder abuse.

Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place in Croydon works with Aboriginal men that are community role models.

New funding will engage these men as ambassadors of family violence prevention.

A yarning circle for Aboriginal women will also be created as a space for women to discuss family violence in their communities.

Women’s Health East will work to build evidence and raise awareness of family violence in the LGBTI community, with a focus on promoting healthy and equal relationships.

Girl Geek Academy will also work with Women’s Health East to prevent violence against women by correcting the imbalance of women in the tech industry.

Girl Geek Academy will use the funding to deliver workshops to girls aged five to eight years in Melbourne’s east.

“Ending family violence requires a whole of community approach,” Ms Hutchins said.

“By investing in prevention programs in Melbourne’s East we will help stop family violence before it starts.

“By trialling a range of new programs to prevent family violence we will gain a better understanding of what works in ending family violence for good.”