La Trobe University researchers will lead a new national project to identify the most effective sexual violence prevention programs, following $7.45 million Federal Government funding.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said to create real change and end sexual violence in Australia, we need to take action based on evidence.
Organisations that run sexual violence interventions can each apply for up to $600,000 in funding to work with La Trobe researchers. Twelve organisations will be selected to develop their projects over a six-month period and up to 10 of these will then be selected for full implementation and evaluation.
Known as the 'Partners in Prevention of Sexual Violence Project', the scheme is designed to strengthen evidence for sexual violence prevention in Australia.
Professor Leesa Hooker, a Principal Research Fellow and Director of the Reducing Gender-Based Violence Research Group (ReGEN) at La Trobe Rural Health School, said the funding would help bridge an existing gap.
"At the moment, we don't really have any evidence-based interventions to prevent sexual violence," Professor Hooker said.
"Once this work is carried out, we will have a better evidence base about what works in relation to preventing sexual violence. This knowledge can then be used to inform the development of future interventions to reduce rates of sexual violence across Australia."
Organisations can apply through La Trobe University to be a part of the project, which is expected to last around three years.
"ReGEN at La Trobe University is proud to lead this research, and we are delighted the Federal Government is investing in improving sexual violence prevention," Professor Hooker said.
"We expect that the outcomes of this project will be able to be used to change community attitudes and behaviours on an issue that has a devastating impact on far too many people."
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than one in five women and around one in 16 men have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. LGBTQ+ people also face significant rates of sexual violence.
The ReGEN Research Group, led by Professor Hooker, will work alongside RMIT, the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, and community partners for the project.
