In the wake of the deaths of three women in quick succession last year, the Victorian regional city of Ballarat is launching an Australian-first trial to prevent gender-based violence. The Respect Ballarat initiative, a four-year, A$9.8 million saturation model, will flood the community with programs, campaigns, education and support services to shift attitudes and behaviours that drive violence.
The trial follows the disappearance and alleged murder of 51-year-old Samantha Murphy, the death of mother Rebecca Young in a suspected murder-suicide by her partner, and the murder of Hannah McGuire by her ex-boyfriend. The community was left 'feeling pretty broken', according to Stephan Fields, principal of Ballarat High School, who noted the profound ripple effect due to the city's high interconnectedness.
Students from three high schools were brought together for a joint forum, where young women spoke of fear becoming part of daily life and young men expressed a desire to be more vulnerable. 'All of them said they wanted things to change,' Fields said. The trial will prioritise men, children, young people, new parents and emerging community leaders, with initial efforts focusing on workplaces, sports clubs, schools and early childhood settings.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows 175 victims of family homicide nationally in 2024, up 14 from 2023, with 37 in Victoria. The Australian Femicide Watch reports 50 women killed so far this year. Fields, who has a relative who experienced family violence, said: 'These are real stories that are happening today... but we've got to believe in a future where we can address this.'
The co-design process revealed that young people often receive the right messages in the classroom, but these are undermined by attitudes encountered at home, in sports clubs and among peers. Sport, in particular, remains a setting where 'misogyny, homophobia and excusing of violence on and off the field' are prevalent. However, Ballarat has become the first regional area in Victoria to have all 62 schools signed on to deliver the government's respectful relationships education program, driven largely by student demand.
Helen Bolton, chief executive of Respect Victoria, said messaging in the city will be 'impossible to ignore'. The trial will include training to empower community members to call out inappropriate behaviour, and targeted advertising campaigns beginning with a focus on positive masculinity.
