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Victorian Government supports excellence in media reporting to prevent violence against women

Saturday, 11 June 2011

The Victorian Coalition Government is pleased to have supported and funded the 2011 Eliminating Violence against Women Media Awards (EVAs) held at Melbourne Town Hall last night.

Minister for Women's Affairs Mary Wooldridge said the media has a pivotal role to play in changing attitudes towards violence against women.

"Good quality reporting of violence against women helps to challenge damaging stereotypes or assumptions that tolerate or excuse violence against women," Ms Wooldridge said.

"It was an honour to present the EVAs and recognise excellence in media reporting of violence against women."

Preventing violence against women is a Victorian Coalition Government priority. Last year over 35,000 reports of family violence were made to Victoria Police and 77 per cent of reported family violence victims were women and girls.

"As part of our broader strategy to prevent violence against women, the Victorian Coalition Government is proud to support the EVAs and journalists who help to change attitudes and give victims a voice," Ms Wooldridge said.

The Victorian Coalition Government is also supporting the Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service to provide victims and survivors of family violence with media advocacy training.

"It can be daunting for victims to tell their stories, however hearing from victims also helps society tackle attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence against women," Ms Wooldridge said.

Ms Wooldridge also launched an updated edition of Family Violence in the News: A Media Toolkit produced by Child and Family Services Ballarat and Pact Community Support, which provides guidance to the media on responsible reporting of family violence.

"The EVAs and the media toolkit are important initiatives in our suite of measures to combat violence against women in our community and the Victorian Coalition Government is proud to support both," Ms Wooldridge said.

"Congratulations to everyone who received EVAs and also to Domestic Violence Victoria which led the organisation of the EVAs, along with No to Violence and the Centres Against Sexual Assault."

For a list of the winners and more information see: www.evas.org.au

For a copy of the Media Toolkit see: www.cafs.org.au/about-cafs/publications/

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