10 ways to get started in preventing violence against women

We all have a role to play in understanding and acting to prevent violence against women, and you can get started today!

1. Inform yourself on the evidence for what drives violence against women and how we can prevent it.
   - Complete Gender Equity Victoria’s free eLearning module (it only takes around 40 minutes) and download the accompanying Learner's Toolkit.
   - Read through Evidence on violence against women and Australian policy, plans and data, and test yourself with our quizzes.
   - Check out the videos, factsheets and campaigns on the websites of local, state-wide and specialist women's health services.
   
   
2. Become a member of Gender Equity Victoria (GEN VIC) – the Victorian peak body for gender equity, women’s health and the prevention of violence against women – and your local, state-wide and specialist women's health services. Subscribe to their newsletters (here's the link to GEN VIC's) to find out about new research, events and initiatives.
   
   
3. Support your regional strategy or plan. Read your local strategy or plan and contact the local women's health service to find out more about becoming a partner or supporter.
   
   
4. Take part in 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence as a participant or organiser. The international 16 Days campaign runs 25 November to 10 December each year. You can contact your local women's health service to find out how to get involved.
   
   
5. Get involved in local actions throughout the year. Find out what other key campaigns and activities happen throughout the year that you can attend or help to organise. Contact your local, state-wide and specialist women's health services, and the partners listed in your local regional strategy or plan and find out about the actions they are taking.
   
   
6. Organise training for yourself or your organisation on preventing violence against women. Visit our Training Portal for professional development opportunities across Victoria, including workplace gender equity training, bystander training, gender and disability training and more.
   
   
7. Show leadership. Once you are informed on the evidence, talk to others about what you know. Promote the research, as well as local events and services. For practical advice on how to talk about preventing violence against women in safe and effective way, check out this guide.
   
   
8. Get active on social media. Use the power of social media to share information and get others talking.
   - Follow GEN VIC as well as other organisations that are working to prevent and respond to violence against women.
   - Engage with their posts, tweets and photos.
   - Take note of any hashtags attached to events and activities and share these to keep the conversation spreading.
   
   
9. Join a local community of practice, network or committee. Contact your local women's health service and find out about joining these to build your expertise and network with others working in this space.
   
   
10. Get in touch with GEN VIC directly and ask about further ways that you can get involved – it all starts with a conversation!