Gender equality and respect
National and international research has identified that gender based violence is driven by gender inequality
Gender-based violence means any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuse or threats, based on gender, that results in, or is likely to result in, harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation of liberty or autonomy.
Gender-based violence is most often perpetrated by men against women and people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity. However, it can occur in any context and affect anyone5
Women and people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity with disability, who are First Nations, and who are culturally and linguistically diverse, including international students and others who experience intersecting forms of discrimination or marginalisation, are also more likely to experience gender-based violence. These experiences are compounded by homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, ableism and racism.
Gender-based violence occurs in the social context of gender inequality, power imbalance and other intersecting forms of discrimination.
Change the Story
Please watch the video below from Our Watch to understand the link between violence and gender inequality and how we can all help to 'Change The Story'.
Our Watch identifies five key actions to address the gendered drivers of violence against women:
- Challenge condoning of violence against women. Don’t justify, downplay or trivialise violence against women or their children and shift blame from the perpetrator to the victim.
- Promote women’s independence and decision-making in public life and relationships. Support the equalisation of power and resources.
- Foster positive personal identities and challenge gender stereotypes and roles. Reject traditional rigid roles and promote more positive forms of masculinity.
- Strengthen positive, equal and respectful relations between and among women and men, girls and boys. Challenge peer relations between men that are hostile or disrespectful towards women. Promote positive and equal relationships.
- Promote and normalise gender equality in public and private life. Support women’s participation in decision making and assess all policy impacts to ensure is truly inclusive.
Gender equality and men
Achieving gender equality is just as important for men. Recent research led by the men’s project at Jesuit Services has shown that men in the Man Box. Men who hold rigid beliefs and attitudes of what it means to be a man are 20 times more likely to sexually harass a woman. Six times more likely to use physical violence and more than twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts.
The Man Box is a set of beliefs within and across society that place pressure on men to be a certain way. To be tough, not to show any emotions, to be the breadwinner, to always be in control, use violence to solve problems and to have many sexual partners.
Please watch the Man Box video below to see how sticking to rigid norms and stereotypes has been harmful for men and others, particularly women.
Support and resources
Internal support
- Safer Community: Contact Safer Community if witness or experience concerning, threatening, inappropriate or uncomfortable behaviour.
- Wellbeing Services provides free and confidential, personal and emotional support for students, including counselling.
- Men’s Wellbeing Support: A dedicated Men’s Wellbeing Co-ordinator to support men’s wellbeing needs.
- La Trobe Out of Hours Support Line: For mental health and wellbeing concerns from 5.00 pm–9.00 am weeknights and weekends and public holidays.
Safer Community Factsheets:
External support
- 1800 Respect: If you are worried or unsure about the signs of unhealthy, abusive or violent behaviour in any of your relationships you can contact 1800 Respect on: 1800 737 732 or through their online chat on their website.
- Victoria Police: You can report or seek advice for non urgent events by phone or via online report. In an Emergency, contact: 000.
- Our Watch: National leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and children with facts and resources to support gender equality.
- The Man Box: A study on being a young man in Australia is the first comprehensive study that focuses on the attitudes to manhood and the behaviours of young Australian men aged 18 to 30.