Local Government NSW (LGNSW) is partnering with the state government to support councils in addressing the root causes of domestic, family, and sexual violence. The initiative is part of the NSW Government's Pathways to Prevention Strategy, which aims to address the drivers of violence.
The three-year primary prevention partnership aims to stop domestic, family and sexual violence before it starts.
Under the partnership, the state government will provide more than $1 million to the peak body to fund a range of primary prevention activities including unconscious bias training, gender equality initiatives, and develop resources to enhance awareness and understanding of primary prevention initiatives across NSW councils.
President of LGNSW Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said councils stood at the forefront of their communities and, when fairly resourced, were often best placed to take a leadership role in addressing societal issues.
"Domestic, family and sexual violence affects every community - and it's entirely preventable. With the right tools, councils can help stop it before it starts," Mayor Miller said.
"Public safety has long been part of council work, and more are recognising their unique role in preventing this kind of violence," she said.
"Councils have also backed multiple LGNSW Conference resolutions, showing strong, united support for action on this issue," Mayor Miller said.
Under the partnership, LGNSW will also develop a guide to help councils deliver primary prevention initiatives including action planning templates and prioritisation tools.
The funding will also support the appointment of a Domestic and Family Violence Primary Prevention Officer at LGNSW to work with local councils and non-government organisations to improve awareness and understanding of primary prevention.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison, said the Government's investment in primary prevention complemented its ongoing work to support victim-survivors of domestic and family violence and ensure perpetrators were held to account.
"That's why the NSW Government is partnering with organisations like Local Government NSW to provide support to local councils and communities to address the underlying beliefs and cultures across our society that have tolerated - and even condoned - violence against women and children," Minister Harrison said.
