Some of Australia's most influential leaders are stepping up to tackle one of the nation's most urgent challenges - domestic and family violence.
Today, more than 100 leaders from sport, business, education, government and media will unite at a landmark Family Violence Prevention Forum to drive cultural change and champion evidence-based strategies that prevent violence before it starts.
The Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA), the Hon William Alstergren AO, has convened this groundbreaking event to encourage and inform leaders, particularly men, from across the community, to play an active role in preventing violence against women. The forum, held in Melbourne, will bring together leaders from male-dominated sectors, of significant influence, to explore collaborative strategies and learn from successful programs designed to engage men and boys, challenge harmful norms, and promote healthy, respectful masculinity.
The forum builds on momentum created by the Courts' Family Violence: it's just not on video campaign launched in 2024 which involves prominent Australian men providing messages against family violence.
Forum Highlights
A panel discussion from 12:00pm to 1:00pm will be chaired by Tarang Chawla, whose sister Nikita was murdered aged 23. Tarang will be joined by:
- Darcy Moore, Captain, Collingwood Football Club
- Harris Andrews, Captain, Brisbane Lions
- Ben Vasiliou, CEO of Man Cave
- Dr Zac Seidler, Global Director of Research, Movember
Participants will also hear from Australia's leading experts on prevention and social change, including:
- Her Excellency the Hon Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia (by video)
- The Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Commonwealth Attorney-General (by video)
- The Hon Micaela Cronin MP, Commissioner - Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission
- The Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
- Patty Kinnersly, Chief Executive Officer - Our Watch
- Kate Jenkins AO, Chair - Australian Sports Commission
- Matt Tyler, Executive Director, Community and Systems Impact - The Men's Project, Jesuit Social Services
- Phil Cleary, Writer, Anti-violence campaigner and member of the inaugural Victim Survivors' Advisory Council
- Representatives from Clemenger BBDO on best practice for effecting behaviour change
- Carolyn Robinson, Founder - Beyond DV
- Luke Ablett, Director, Strategic Engagement - Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission
- Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Monash Business School
- Lisa Pusey, Director, Engagement and Impact, Champions of Change Coalition
Quotes
Chief Justice Alstergren AO
"Today we embrace a rare and powerful moment - a chance to unite community leaders, particularly men, to develop strategies to take meaningful, practical steps to help prevent family and domestic violence. Together, through courage and collaboration, we can spark a movement that transforms lives and builds a safer, stronger society for generations to come.
This work centres on the safety and dignity of women, children and gender-diverse people. Engaging men and boys is essential, as is supporting victim-survivors."
Tarang Chawla, brother of Nikita Chawla
"Every year at Christmas there is an empty seat at the table where my sister Niki would sit. I know firsthand what it means for a family to have their lives shattered by men's violence. Bringing leaders together in a room like this is not about symbolism, it is about taking responsibility for the culture we create in our workplaces, clubs and communities.
Family violence is not a women's issue - it is a men's behaviour issue. Until men are willing to challenge other men to a higher standard, nothing will fundamentally change and we all suffer.
For too long, women have been told to keep themselves safe while men have stood on the sidelines. Men in positions of influence help shift the conversation to a place where every bloke has permission to change the culture around men's violence in Australia."
Ben Vasiliou, CEO Man Cave
"What we know from working with over 100,000 teenage boys and young men is that they can't be what they can't see. Platforming public figures and role models who are advocating to put an end to violence is an effective way of showing the next generation it can be done. Boys and young men are our best chance of ending violence in the next generation. They need role models, tools, supports and language that helps them identify when they might need help and how to best support their mates. The outcomes from today's forum will be far reaching and show men and boys that violence is never the answer."
Dr Zac Seidler, Global Director of Research, Movember
"If we're serious about ending domestic and family violence, we need to call men in, not just call them out. That means going to where men already are, meeting them through mental health and wellbeing conversations that open doors early, before risk escalates. When we engage men around their own struggles and aspirations, we create pathways to intervene before harm occurs to women and children.
This isn't about excusing violence - it's about recognising that most men genuinely want to grow, forging healthier relationships and safer communities. They want to be part of the solution. Our job is to show them how, to contextualise the path forward, and to harness their capacity for change. Prevention works when we tap into men's existing motivation to be better partners, fathers, and mates - and give them the tools and conversations to make that happen. That is the task at hand."
Lisa Pusey, Director of Engagement and Impact, Champions of Change Coalition
"Every workplace leaders have the power to drive change on domestic and family violence.
When leaders step up, they send a powerful message: domestic and family violence is not a private issue, it's a workplace and community issue that demands our action.
Workplaces can start by creating cultures of safety and respect, where those experiencing violence are supported and cycles of abuse are broken through accountability and appropriate referral for those using violence. We can extend that impact beyond the workplace, influencing and supporting customers, clients, suppliers and the communities we reach, and embedding safety and equality by design in the products and services we deliver.
Together, we can build a future where every person is safe, respected and free to thrive at work and at home."
Hayley Foster, Director - Family Violence, FCFCOA
"The Courts see firsthand the devastating impact family violence has on women, children and families. Our responsibility is clear: we must continue building a system that is safer, earlier and more responsive. Working closely with colleagues across the Courts - and in partnership with family violence experts, lived-experience advocates and community organisations - we are strengthening the way we identify and respond to risk, ensuring adult and child victim-survivors can access safety and the supports they need to recover, and that people using violence can access help to change their behaviour. Supporting children and young people affected by family violence is one of the most powerful prevention actions we can take, because recovery in childhood interrupts the cycle of harm. The Family Violence Prevention Forum brings together leaders who can drive this cultural change well beyond the courtroom. Preventing violence is everyone's business, and we are committed to using the Courts' platform to send a strong message and build national momentum for change."
