Michaela Meade
Banksia Gardens Community Services in Broadmeadows will share in a $1.5 million funding boost from the state government.
The service will receive $300,000 in funding to continue its Good People Act Now youth-led violence prevention initiative.
The program trains a group of young people each year to understand and raise awareness about the causes of violence against women.
Over 100 young people have completed the program since it began.
Prevention of Family Violence Minister Gabrielle Williams said the funding gives the community a real chance of preventing violence before it starts for future generations.
“Whether it’s engaging with young leaders on the sporting field, or helping them lead their peers away from gendered abuse online – we’re backing our young people to be empowered against problematic attitudes to women,” Ms Williams said.
“We’re giving proven prevention programs the best possible chance to make a real difference as we get on with delivering our nation leading system-wide family violence reforms.”
Four other organisations will receive $300,000 each to scale up their specialised family violence prevention programs.
They include Women’s Legal Service Victoria’s Starts With Us initiative, Drummond Street Services All Come Out To Play educational show and Save the Children’s Rural Communities Creating Change program.
The $1.5 million funding is part of the Victorian government’s Free from Violence strategy.
