Launceston White Ribbon Committee

Sexual violence has to be part of how we talk about preventing family and domestic violence.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that 1 in 9 women have experienced s*xual violence by a male intimate partner since the age of 15. It also reports that 1 in 4 women have experienced physical and/or s*xual violence from an intimate partner since the age of 15.

Prevention means challenging the attitudes and behaviours that enable this harm. That includes disrespect, entitlement, consent myths, coercion and harmful messages about s*x, power and women, including those reinforced through some po*******hy and online content.

If we want to prevent men's violence against women and children, s*xual violence within intimate relationships has to stay part of the conversation.

Better means building stronger cultures of consent, respect, and equality. Early, consistently and everywhere.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Family, domestic and s*xual violence.

Prevention can look ordinary. A comment at a BBQ. A joke in the group chat. A mate getting controlling in front of others.

A fact sheet from The Men’s Project found that young men “inside the Man Box” were more likely to go along or do nothing when witnessing guys harassing women, 22% vs 4%.

Three simple moves you can use today,

- Name it. “That’s not on.”

- Redirect. “Leave it out.”

Check in with the person impacted.

If Prevention Month stands for anything, it should be this.

We cannot prevent violence by waiting until it becomes obvious.

Prevention starts earlier. In the attitudes we challenge, the jokes we refuse to laugh along with, the conversations we choose to have and the standards we set at home, at work, in sport and in our communities.

Calling men in does not mean letting things slide. It means inviting reflection, while keeping responsibility clear.

That can look like:

• Challenging the “that’s just how men are” mindset.
• Speaking up when disrespect is brushed off as humour.
• Using your role as a parent, leader, coach, colleague or friend to set a better tone.
• Creating conversations where change is possible and accountability remains central.

This month, prevention means acting earlier, speaking clearer and expecting better.

We Don't Want to Turn Anyone Away Support Hobart Women's Shelter

May is Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.

It is a time to raise awareness and focus on the actions and systems that shape safer, more respectful communities.

Prevention is not only about responding after harm has occurred. It is about addressing the attitudes, behaviours and inequalities that can drive men’s violence against women and children.

The scale of the issue makes that clear. In Australia, 1 in 4 women have experienced violence, emotional abuse or economic abuse by a cohabiting partner since the age of 15. That includes 1 in 6 women who have experienced partner violence, nearly 1 in 4 who have experienced partner emotional abuse, and almost 1 in 6 who have experienced partner economic abuse.

At White Ribbon Australia, that is central to our work. We focus on primary prevention through schools, workplaces and communities, and we work to engage men and boys as part of the solution.

This Prevention Month, we are reminding communities across Australia that real change takes everyday action, stronger leadership, and a shared commitment to respect, equality and safety.

It also takes proper investment. If we want prevention to work, it has to be funded and backed like it matters.

"I think people underestimate the impact that something like s*xual violence can have on a person's life, especially when it happens at a young age."
– Keelie McMahon

Keelie spoke with ABC News about how greater awareness of s*xual assault supports victim-survivors to speak up.

Read the full story > https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-22/support-services-strained-s*xual-assault-awareness-month/10658