Taking Action: Scaling Up Prevention of Violence Against Women with Disabilities Across Victoria
The Victorian Women's Health Service Network (WHSN) is calling for state-wide expansion of a proven program that prevents violence against women with disabilities. With compelling evidence of success and a clear path forward, we are advocating for investment in the 2025-26 Victorian state budget to scale up the Margins to Mainstream (M2M) program across Victoria.
Why We Need to Act Now
The reality facing women with disabilities demands immediate, widespread action. Current statistics reveal a disturbing pattern of disproportionate violence:
37.1% of women with disabilities experience domestic partner emotional abuse - nearly double the rate of women without disabilities
The rate of domestic partner violence is twice as high at 28.9%
Sexual assault affects 18.3% of women with disabilities compared to 8.6% of women without disabilities
These statistics represent real lives and experiences. The violence occurs more frequently, lasts longer, and involves a broader range of perpetrators, including support workers and others in disability service settings.
A Proven Solution Ready for Scale
The Margins to Mainstream program represents an innovative, evidence-based approach to preventing violence against women with disabilities. Operating in Melbourne's eastern region since 2020, M2M has demonstrated remarkable success in addressing both gender inequality and ableism - the two fundamental drivers of violence against women with disabilities.
Evidence of Impact
Our evaluation shows that M2M has:
Directly engaged more than 1,960 individuals in programs and events
Reached over 182,470 people through targeted communications
Created paid participation roles for 16 women with disabilities
Built capacity in more than 100 organizations
Strengthened regional partnerships for sustained prevention work
The Path Forward: State-wide Implementation
The WHSN's proposed expansion will leverage the established infrastructure of nine metropolitan and regional Women's Health Services. This coordinated approach will:
Build community and organizational capability to combat gender inequality and ableism
Empower women with disabilities as leaders in prevention efforts
Create sustainable, long-term change across Victoria
Address intersecting forms of discrimination and disadvantage
Recent Community Engagement
At our recent online launch event on November 25, the power of this approach was evident. Dr. Wei Leng Kwok delivered a compelling keynote address, while disability advocate Jacinta Parsons hosted inspiring discussions with lived experience Experts and partner organizations. As Julie-Ann, a lived experience Expert, shared during the event: "Having the opportunity to share our experiences, and actually be listened to, it felt so validating."
Supporting Victoria's Leadership in Prevention
This expansion aligns with and supports multiple Victorian government priorities, including:
Free from Violence Strategy
Inclusive Victoria State Disability Plan
Getting to Work disability employment action plan
Victorian public health and wellbeing priorities
Take Action
The time for scaled-up, evidence-based prevention is now. Here's how you can support this critical initiative:
Learn more about the M2M model and its impacts
Share this information with your networks
Support our advocacy for state-wide expansion
Connect with Us Locally - Go to https://www.whsn.org.au/contact and write M2M funding in the header. Let us know what region of Victoria you live in, and we will send you updates on what you can do to support the campaign.
Resources
Recording of Recent Launch Event: Coming Soon
Get Involved
To learn more about supporting the state-wide expansion or to connect with this initiative, go to our contact page and write M2M funding in the header. Let us know what region of Victoria you live in, and we will send you updates on what you can do to support the campaign. https://www.whsn.org.au/contact
Together, we can create a Victoria where all women with disabilities are safe and respected.