Preventing Family Violence starts earlier than many people think

Family violence prevention is often associated with responding to violence after it occurs. While support services are essential, creating a future free from family violence also means addressing the attitudes, behaviours and social conditions that contribute to violence in the first place.

At FVREE, we know that prevention starts early. It begins in our homes, schools, workplaces and communities through the everyday messages we send about respect, equality and belonging.

What does family violence prevention mean?

Family violence prevention focuses on stopping violence before it starts.

Rather than responding only after harm has occurred, prevention seeks to create environments where violence is less likely to happen.

This includes promoting gender equality, building respectful relationships, challenging harmful stereotypes and creating communities where everyone feels valued and respected.

Why prevention matters

Family violence has significant impacts on individuals, families and communities.

While responding to violence is critical, prevention helps reduce the likelihood of violence occurring in the first place.

By investing in prevention, communities can create safer environments and support healthier relationships for future generations

The link between gender equality and family violence

Research shows that gender inequality is a key driver of violence against women.

This does not mean that all violence is caused by gender inequality alone. However, attitudes and systems that reinforce unequal power, rigid gender roles and harmful stereotypes can contribute to environments where violence is more likely to occur.

That’s why promoting gender equality is an important part of preventing family violence.

Gender equality benefits everyone. It helps create communities where people are valued for who they are, where opportunities are shared fairly, and where respectful relationships can thrive.

Prevention starts in childhood

Children begin learning about relationships, identity and belonging from a very young age.

The messages children receive about gender, emotions, inclusion and respect can shape how they understand themselves and others.

That’s why early years and childhood are such important opportunities for prevention.

When children are supported to:

• Respect differences
• Express emotions safely
• Challenge stereotypes
• Develop empathy
• Build healthy boundaries

they are developing skills that can support positive relationships throughout life.

Prevention is not about having one conversation. It is about creating environments where respect and equality are modelled every day.

The role of schools, families and communities

Preventing family violence is a shared responsibility.

Families, educators, workplaces, community groups and local organisations all play an important role in creating cultures of respect and inclusion.

This can look like:

• Challenging harmful stereotypes
• Encouraging respectful communication
• Promoting equality and inclusion
• Supporting healthy relationships
• Creating safe and welcoming environments

When communities work together, prevention becomes part of everyday life rather than something that happens only through formal programs.

How FVREE supports prevention

FVREE works alongside communities to strengthen family violence prevention efforts across a range of settings.

Our prevention work includes:

• Early years programs
  Supporting educators and families to promote gender equality, inclusion and respectful relationships from an early age.

• Schools and young people
  Working with children and young people to build leadership, confidence and understanding of respectful relationships.

• Community education
  Providing resources, workshops and learning opportunities that help communities understand their role in preventing violence.

• Workplace training
  Supporting organisations to build safer, more informed and responsive workplaces.

Through this work, FVREE helps turn awareness into action and supports communities to create meaningful, lasting change.

Creating the future we want to see

Preventing family violence is not the responsibility of one person or organisation.

It requires collective action, long-term commitment and a willingness to challenge the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to inequality and violence.

The good news is that prevention works.

Every conversation about respect, every effort to promote equality and every opportunity to create inclusive communities contributes to a safer future.

At FVREE, we believe that by working together, we can help create communities where everyone is safe, respected and free from family violence.

Explore FVREE Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Programs

Learn more about FVREE’s prevention initiatives, community education programs and training opportunities.

About FVREE

FVREE is a specialist family violence organisation working across prevention, support and recovery. We partner with communities, schools, workplaces and service providers to help create safer, more equal communities free from family violence.