Women's Health Grampians' work to prevent family violence will continue for at least another two years, following a funding announcement on Friday.
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The state government announced a $3 million funding package for 12 women's health services in Victoria to continue family violence training, advice and support to organisations in their areas.
Women's Health Grampians will receive $250,000 to continue delivering the Communities of Equality and Respect Alliance, a partnership of 130 organisations that are working to address gender equality and the drivers of family violence.
Women's Health Grampians chief executive Marianne Hendron said she was delighted the funding was for two years as prevention was long-term work.
The CoRE Alliance has already been in operation for four years.
"This is about cultural change by promoting a society in our community that doesn't tolerate violence or disrespect and is a place where everyone can feel safe," Ms Hendron said.
"Some of the positive things that have gone on over the last few weeks in regards to communities coming together and looking out for each other are exactly what we feel we would be able to harness going forward after this experience, the sense of we are all in this together."
This is about cultural change by promoting a society in our community that doesn't tolerate violence or disrespect and is a place where everyone can feel safe.
- Marianne Hendron, Women's Health Grampians
Ms Hendron said Women's Health Grampians would continue to work to grow CoRE membership in the coming years.
A new project, CoRE HI-VIS, will support organisations to attract and retain women into non-traditional workforce roles, with a focus on trades and manufacturing.
Another focus area is sport, which is on hold at the moment, but work is underway to create online resources for clubs and organisations.
Nine of the 12 organisations receiving funding through the state government package are regionally-based, including in Grampians, Loddon Mallee, Barwon South West and Gippsland, and three of the organisations operate state-wide.
Statistics show family violence is the leading cause of death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15 to 44 years.
One woman is killed at the hands of a current or former partner every week.
Women's Health Grampians works across the Wimmera, Grampians-Pyrenees and Central Highlands areas of Victoria.
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
