The new agency, which opened on 1 August, will lead the state’s prevention efforts in changing the attitudes, social norms and culture that result in family violence and violence against women.

The establishment of Respect Victoria fulfils Recommendation 188 of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and will work with partners in rural and regional Victoria, education and care settings, workplaces, community organisations, faith-based and cultural organisations, sport, the arts and media.

Photo: Domestic Violence Intervention Project

Respect Victoria’s Board, led by Chairperson Melanie Eagle, is now officially appointed along with Chief Executive Tracey Gaudry.

The directors collectively bring strong leadership experience, diversity and a wealth of knowledge about behaviour and cultural change.

The Board includes a member of Victoria’s Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council, to ensure that victims’ voices remain front and centre in the organisation’s prevention efforts.

As a result of the Andrews Labor Government’s behaviour change campaigns more than 4 out of 5 Victorians can identify what family violence is and its causes. Respect Victoria will build on this campaign.

The Labor Government has now invested $24 million for research, communications and engagement initiatives for the next four years for Respect Victoria as part of an unprecedented $2.6 billion investment to prevent family violence in Victoria.