EveryMan is proud to have outstanding women working within its programs. We recently had a chat to Jo, Erin and Sandra who continuously strive for change and show an unprecedented commitment to working with men to change violent behaviours with one common goal: to keep women and children safe.
Domestic and family violence statistics in Australia show an alarming rate of women being subjected to physical and sexual violence. In 2023, 1 in 5 women experienced sexual violence, 1 in 3 women experienced physical violence and 1 in 6 women report having been subjected to physical and /or sexual violence before the age of 15.
As of 27 November, 54 women have been killed in Australia this year as a result of sexual, intimate partner, domestic and family violence.
The fight against domestic violence is intrinsically linked to the broader struggle for gender equality and the women working within EveryMan have a passion to contribute to dismantling patriarchal structures that perpetuate violence.
Jo, Team Leader of EveryMan Advocacy and support (PAS) says the service ensures that women and children have a confidential space to share their experiences of abuse and to be listened to without judgement.
“It is so important that we bring the voices of the women and children that we support to the forefront of men's service delivery, advocating for their hopes and dreams, bringing attention to the impacts of abuse on women and children, and most importantly advocating for their safety needs across all areas of policy and practice.
“Through PAS women and children can influence the development and outcomes of men’s programs that enable men to grow into better fathers, brothers and sons, aligning with the needs of women and children in their lives.”
In addition, Erin, Community Services Manager at EveryMan says If we can help men to make positive and sustainable changes in their lives, the outcome will have a profound impact on the safety of the women and children directly involved.
“I value working within an organisation that provides services directly to men to ultimately protect vulnerable women and children.”
Sandra, Counsellor, and co-facilitator of EveryMan's Preventing Violence Changing Behaviour (PVCB) group program says that the ultimate goal is to help women and make lasting changes to entire family systems.
The rising rate of domestic violence is profound and shows that something needs to be done differently, and quickly.
Not many services in Canberra work directly with perpetrators of violence to address domestic violence at its core.
“EveryMan recognises that changing these alarming statistics is possible when we work with men directly and take a fundamental stride towards a society free from the shackles of abuse and violence.”
“The involvement of women in the domestic violence space is not merely a matter of representation; it is a strategic imperative for building a thorough, effective response to this pervasive issue and eliminate it for good.”