By Kit McMahon, CEO of Women's Health in the South East (WHISE)
We've all felt that wave of heartbreak and outrage when we hear about another woman killed by violence. The frustration. The anger. The question: why aren't we doing better?
Jess Hill's recent Quarterly Essay "Losing It" captures this frustration perfectly, questioning whether our focus on prevention is helping women right now. It's a valid concern that deserves honest examination.
The false choice holding us back
As a frontline organisation supporting women across Melbourne's southeast, we see daily how violence shatters lives. We understand the urgency. But framing the conversation as "prevention versus crisis response" creates a dangerous false choice and misrepresents the work and story of primary prevention practitioners.
Here's what women actually need: everything.
- Crisis services for those in immediate danger
- Early intervention when warning signs appear
- Prevention strategies that stop violence before it starts
- Recovery support for healing and rebuilding
These aren't competing priorities—they're complementary pieces of the same puzzle.
What real prevention looks like
Prevention isn't abstract theory disconnected from women's lives. It's:
- The maternal health nurse who notices early warning signs during pregnancy visits
- The employer working to close pay gaps that keep women financially dependent
- The educator fostering conversations about consent and respect from early years
- The sports club creating truly inclusive spaces for people of all genders
- The manager normalizing parental leave for both mothers and fathers
- The community centre connecting older men to reduce isolation and build support
When properly resourced, these everyday actions create communities where violence becomes less likely, not just for future generations but for women living right now.
Moving beyond either/or thinking
The evidence is clear: we need multiple approaches working together.
Victoria's investment in prevention is already showing remarkable results. According to Impact Economics' 2023 report for the Victorian Women's Health Sector, "Return on Equity," almost 22,000 fewer women experience physical and/or sexual violence each year in Victoria compared to the national average. This translates to economic savings of $600 million annually, with lifetime cost savings approaching $8 billion.
These aren't just numbers—they represent real women living safer, healthier lives because of prevention strategies that work.
While responding to immediate risk saves lives today, prevention creates safer communities for tomorrow. Both matter equally. Yet prevention receives just a fraction of the funding directed to crisis response—approximately 1.5% of Australia's total family violence budget.
Imagine what we could achieve with proper investment across the entire spectrum.
Three practical steps forward
- Fund the full continuum of services women and families need—from crisis to recovery to prevention—without forcing the services to compete for scraps
- Extend prevention's trauma-informed wisdom to all systems women navigate—ensuring the healing-centred practices already central to prevention work become standard across health, education, justice, and social services
- Hold both individuals and systems accountable—addressing harmful behaviours while simultaneously changing the cultural landscape that enables violence
We can't afford to start over
After decades of work by survivors and practitioners, we've built foundations that are producing real change. Dismantling these frameworks doesn't help women—it sets us back years.
Instead, let's strengthen what works: community-led approaches, evidence-based programs, and cross-sector collaboration that addresses violence at every level.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Every woman deserves to live free from violence—today, tomorrow, and always. By rejecting false choices and embracing comprehensive solutions, we honour that fundamental right and the work of primary prevention.
What's your experience with prevention work? Have you seen it making a difference in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Bio: Kit McMahon is CEO of Women's Health in the South East (WHISE), working with communities across Melbourne's southern metropolitan region to prevent violence against women and promote gender equality.
WHISE have released a full statement - "Building on Strengths"- in response to Jess Hill's Essay and can be found on the WHISE Website here.
About us:
Women's Health in the South East (WHISE) is a leading organisation dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of women in the south eastern region. With a focus on promoting gender equity, WHISE advocates for women's rights, acess to healthcare services, and leads initiatives to address gender-based violence and gender inequality. By collaborating with stakeholders, WHISE strives to create positive change and ensure every woman has access to comprehensive, inclusive, and high-quality care.
