Women's Health Grampians to develop strategy to prevent family violence

The organisation is one of nine women's health services chosen to spearhead regional action plans to stamp out violence towards women and children.

Women's Health Grampians program manager Jaclyn Reriti said a key aim of the project was to increase understanding that violence against women and children was a huge issue for the region.

"We already have some great prevention work underway," she said.

"The regional strategy will build on our existing work in the prevention of violence against women and gender equity."

Ms Reriti said Women's Health Grampians was thrilled to receive the funding, announced by Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge on Wednesday.

"It's really exciting," she said.

"This project will not only build on what is already happening, it will create opportunities for us to share information with other groups."

Ms Reriti said the organisation's strong engagement with local government, businesses, media and health and community service organisations across the region would benefit the project.

Ms Wooldridge said Women's Health Victoria branches were uniquely positioned to deliver the project.

"Its 20-year track record and expertise with regional health services will enable partnerships to drive primary prevention efforts at a grassroots level," she said.

Ms Wooldridge said the action plans would provide consistent, evidence-based and effective approaches to prevent violence against women and children.

"Prevention of violence is key to lasting change in the lives and experiences of women and children in our community, and it requires significant change in culture and attitudes," she said.

Ms Wooldridge said the project would also deliver tailored practice guides for regional women's health services; develop a community of practice structure to enable the sharing of best practice; create targeted and diverse strategies to assist women's health services identify vulnerable groups; deliver toolkits and resources to support regional planning; and run two state-wide forums that will showcase and share best practice among local providers.

Ms Reriti said the project would take about 12 months.

"We are very keen to hear from different groups and we will be providing opportunities for that shortly," she said.

She said people could call Simone Meade at Women's Health Grampians on 5322 4100 for more information about becoming involved.