Starting at grassroots to stamp out gendered violence
Encouraging meaningful conversations was the focus of the recent Culture of Respect Senior Panel Event, which brought together football and netball leaders from across the Central Highlands region.
Experts in the prevention of gendered violence were joined by gender equity focused representatives from the AFL and AFLW to share the Respect Ballarat vision for behaviour change, starting at a community sport level.
Grassroots sport was identified by Respect Ballarat, and the Culture of Respect program, as a place where positive and non-violent behaviours can be modelled from junior through to senior teams, and extend into the surrounding community.
Club coaches and leaders were identified as pathway to share messages about respect, inclusivity, equality, and challenging negative behaviours, with the event, and upcoming Respect Round initiative, empowering them to create positive change across their league.
Panellists discussed the importance of creating physically and psychologically safe environments, and the role sport can play in this, to more than 200 coaches, team managers and club representatives in attendance.
Between this event, and the previous Junior Panel event, almost 400 members, representing every club in the Central Highlands Football and Netball League, took positive steps towards creating a Culture of Respect – each given the opportunity to make their own commitment to help make sport safe, inclusive and welcoming for everyone.
Panellists included:
- Mitch Brown (AFL)
- Gabrielle Hutchins (Western Bulldogs Community Foundation)
- Patty Kinnersley (Our Watch CEO & Carlton Vice-President)
- Adam Toohey (Respect Victoria & current CHFL player)
- Ben Brown (AFL/AFLW)
- Shae Bolton-Brown (Australian Netballer)
- Ash Milne (WRISC)
- Helen Bolton (CEO RV)
- Katrina Bevelander (Manager, Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault)
Quotes attributable to Patty Kinnersley, Our Watch CEO & Carlton Vice President
“Having lived and worked in Ballarat for much of my life, I know the powerful role sporting clubs play in this community. The Culture of Respect program is a great example of how clubs can use that influence to champion equality and respect and help prevent violence against women.
Sport is a powerful force for change. When clubs and their leaders champion equality and respect, and challenge sexism and harmful gender stereotypes, that influence reaches well beyond the sporting field.
It was fantastic to see leaders from across the Central Highlands commit to being part of that change, and I look forward to seeing that commitment on display during the Respect Round on 8 August.”
Quotes attributable to Simon Dwyer, Newlyn Football Netball Club President
“The Culture of Respect Senior Panel Event was a good community event, bringing together people from across the league for a common cause. It was eye-opening, informative and will no doubt start important conversations across all clubs.”
Quotes attributable to Katrina Bevelander, Manager Ballarat Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
“Ballarat’s community experience family violence at a rate 51% higher than the state average. This sobering statistic is more than a number – it is a representation of real people, in unacceptable situations.
"It is also the reason that CASA joined forces with other leaders in the prevention of gendered violence, launching Culture of Respect.
“We’re excited to work with sporting club leaders to build a culture of respect within their sporting communities, to teach others how to be an upstander and to call out disrespect.
“This panel event helped us get the ball rolling, and we now look ahead together to the upcoming Respect Round, occurring across the entire CHFL league on Saturday 8 August, where these rich conversations will continue.”
Respect Ballarat is delivered by:
- Ballarat CASA
- Grampians Health
- WRISC Family Violence Support
- Sexual Assault Services Victoria
- Respect Victoria
- Ballarat Foundation
