Our Watch

What is primary prevention? It's addressing the underlying, gendered drivers of violence against women. It's programs that empower women with disabilities to be leaders. It's resources that help children break out from rigid gender roles. It's workplaces taking action against harassment and disrespect. It's supporting LGBTQ+ people to have healthy relationships. It's helping trans women and transfeminine people have respectful and fulfilling relationships. It is all these things and more. People, organisations and communities across the country are already making an impact. That's why we have been showcasing the prevention work happening in Australia. Together, we can shift attitudes, behaviours and systems that drive violence against women. Join the conversation and showcase your primary prevention work! #ThisIsPrevention @WomenWithDisabilitiesVic @TangWomen @ACONNSW @SayItOutLoud.ACON @ZoeBelleGenderCollective [Video description: Footage of primary prevention in action plays with a voiceover. The footage includes people in a corporate office space, in workshops, speaking at events, working on construction sites, having coffee, and children in playgrounds. The end of the video cycles through footage of a number of people giving interviews.]

The research shows a link between gender stereotypes and violence against women. That means when we challenge rigid gender rules and the what it means to “be a man”, we’re building a future free from violence against women. Want to know more? Take a look at the Jesuit Social Services' Man Box study. If you or someone you know needs support, reach out to @1800Respect_Australia Men’s Line or @LifelineAustralia . [Alt: 1. White text on a navy background: What do we know about men who commit violence? Green arrow pointing to next tile. 2. Imagine a man who believes in ideas like... “Guys should act strong even if they feel scared or nervous inside” “In heterosexual relationships, men should really be the ones to bring money home to provide for their families, not women”. “A ‘real man’ would never say no to sex.” Source: The Man Box 2024, The Men’s Project 3. Research shows this man is 8 x more likely to have perpetrated intimate partner violence. Source: The Man Box 2024, The Men’s Project 4. He is also 6 x more likely to have daily thoughts of self-harm. Source: The Man Box 2024, The Men’s Project]

CW: Violence against women. #ViolenceAgainstWomen occurs in the context of gender inequality. #GenderInequality exists at many levels in our society – from how we view and value men and women, to economic factors like the pay gap between men and women, to family and relationship roles and expectations. The good news is that violence against women is not inevitable, it is preventable. By promoting gender equality, we can change the story and prevent violence against women. [Alt: An illustration of a green iceberg on a navy background. The tip of the iceberg has text which reads: Rape, murder, physical and emotional abuse. Underneath the surface of the water, the bottom of the iceberg has text which reads: Harmful gender stereotypes, disrespect of women, control and threats, sexist language, unequal pay, sexist jokes, trolling, stalking. Our Watch logo.]

Today is #IDAHOBIT! The International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination is an opportunity to celebrate progress, while also raising awareness for the discrimination that LGBTQIA+ people still face today. LGBTIQA+ people experience discrimination at a personal level, as well as at a system level, in areas like work, religion, schooling, healthcare and social service provision. By working together to end this discrimination, we can create a future where everyone is safe, respected and free to be themselves. Want to know more about IDAHOBIT and how you can get involved? Go to @Minus18Youth . [Alt: A graphic of a rainbow ribbon on a blue background. Text underneath: May 17 is the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination. May 17, International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination.]

This Sunday is IDAHOBIT! So what does prevention look like for LGBTQ+ people and communities? @ACONNSW 's Say It Out Loud initiative is raising awareness of the additional challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community through websites, workshops, programs and resources. Working across primary prevention, early intervention, response, recovery and healing, this initiative is for community, by community. To learn more, go to @SayItOutLoud.ACON #ThisIsPrevention #IDAHOBIT [Video description: Interviews with Hamish Whelan (he/they), Sexual Violence Consult Lead, ACON and Jade Parker (they/them), Acting Manager, Sexual, Domestic & Family Violence, ACON. Throughout the video, we see footage of Hamish and Jade at the ACON office, talking with colleagues, in workshops, and looking through resources. The video ends with a graphic saying "This is prevention: LGBTQ+ people" and the ACON and Our Watch logos.]

From workplaces to relationships and families, promoting women's economic security is key to ending violence against women in Australia. [Alt: Cream and navy text on a navy and green background: Supporting women's financial independence equals preventing violence against women.]

Everyone has a role to play in preventing violence against women. So how can you play your part? Our Men in Focus resources are designed for people working with men and boys to prevent gender-based violence. Hear from experts including Craig Rigney from @KWYAboriginalCorporation and Shelley Hewson-Munro from @RMITUniversity by watching the full series via the link in our bio. [Video description: Craig speaks to camera in front of a green background. The video then cuts to Shelley, also sitting in front of a green background and speaking to camera.]

What would you do if you witnessed sexual harassment at work? New data from our Inclusion@Work Index Insights series, released today, shows nearly 1 in 4 workers would do nothing if they witnessed sexual harassment at work. If we do witness sexual harassment in the workplace, what can we do to prevent it from happening again? Being an active bystander can make a real difference. Together with @OurWatch , we've released Being an Active Bystander, a free, practical resource to help workplaces prevent harm by supporting people to speak up, step in and support others. Here are the 4 steps you can follow to be an active bystander: 1. Speak. Say something to challenge the behaviour. If someone has made a sexist joke, you can say 'I don't get why that's funny?' 2. Show. If you aren't comfortable speaking up, you can challenge it with your actions. Roll your eyes, shake your head, don't laugh along or just walk away. 3. Support. Let the person experiencing harassment know you're there for them. Ask them if they're ok, or acknowledge what happened after by saying, 'hey I'm sorry, that wasn't ok'. 4. Report. It's important that your workplace's leadership team know about any sexual harassment. Talk to your manager or a trusted colleague and let them know what happened. 🔗 Visit the link in our bio to download and display the free Being an Active Bystander resource in your workplace.

Our Watch welcomes the launch of the Federal Government's national Healthy Men Community Conversations project. The project will deliver a series of community conversations across the country, bringing together the public and organisations working to support men’s health and wellbeing, as well as those engaged in family, domestic and sexual violence prevention. [Alt: Navy text on a cream background with yellow accents. A quote from Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly: "Evidence shows that harmful ideas about how to be a man can impact men’s wellbeing and increase the incidence of violence against women. Creating spaces that support men to challenge these norms is an important part of preventing violence against women, alongside broader efforts to address the underlying drivers of violence, including gender inequality, across our communities and institutions."]

Wednesday 6th May is Domestic Violence Remembrance Day. We remember all victims and survivors of domestic and family violence. Behind every number is a woman who was loved and who lived. When it comes to violence against women, the only acceptable figure is zero. We will continue to work to prevent violence against women in Australia, building a gender equal society and future free from violence for all. #DVRemembranceDay #DFVPM2026 [Alt: Green and white text on a navy background: Domestic Violence Remembrance Day, We remember victims, survivors, their families and their communities. #DVRemembranceDay]

There are many ways to "be a man." By challenging outdated and harmful versions of masculinity, men can play their role in creating a safer future for everyone. [Alt: A quote from Ben Brown in white text on a navy background: "We need to have more role models spreading the right messages about healthy masculinities." Underneath, a photo of Ben smiling at the camera.]

What does the future of primary prevention look like? We spoke to experts at @Safe_and_Equal 's PreventX conference to get their insights. A huge thank you to Shweta from @GenWest_ , Linden from @TheSAFVCentre , Leticia from @DjirraVic and Erin from Good Samaritan Inn for speaking with us! And thank you to the team at @Safe_and_Equal for putting together a fantastic conference and opportunity to connect, share and reflect on the future of primary prevention. #ThisIsPrevention [Video description: Footage of a conference with people walking around, talking to each other, as a graphic appears onscreen that says "What's next for primary prevention?" The video then cuts between interviews with: Shweta (she/her), Manager, Resilient Communities, GenWest Linden (she/her), The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre Leticia (she/her), Young Luv Program Coordinator, Djirra Erin (she/her), Facilities Coordinator, Good Samaritan Inn The video ends with The Safe + Equal and Our Watch logos with text on screen: This video was filmed at Safe and Equal's PreventX conference, held in March 2026.]