Frequently asked questions
About us
WAGEC provides a range of services for women, trans and gender-diverse people, and children experiencing homelessness, and domestic and family violence. Those services include crisis accommodation, housing support, case management, recovery programs, prevention education and advocacy. We work on the frontlines supporting people in crisis while working upstream to address the systems and inequalities that contribute to violence and homelessness.
Yes. WAGEC is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) and a public benevolent institution (ACN 960 663 613). We receive government funding for some services and rely on donations, partnerships, grants and community support to meet the growing demand for our work. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Contacting us
Our office team is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. We aim to respond to general enquiries within 2 business days. If your situation is urgent, please visit the ‘Get help’ page or call us on (02) 9319 4088.
WAGEC does not provide direct, immediate crisis accommodation on demand. However, we can help connect you to the right services based on your situation. Find the right help.
You can choose how much information you share when making a general enquiry. If you are seeking support, some details may be needed to help connect you safely to the right services. Find out more about our Privacy Policy.
WAGEC is based on Gadigal land in Sydney’s inner west. Our George Street, Redfern, site has now closed as we have moved to outreach, and our services are not accessed through walk-ins. However, our team are still available to support you; please contact us first so we can guide you safely to the right support.
Yes. You do not need to have everything figured out. Please fill out our general enquiry contact form and we will help you find the right starting point.
Services
Getting help
Yes. If you need support and live in NSW, you can contact WAGEC directly. Some programs also accept referrals from support workers and partner organisations, while others have specific eligibility requirements.
WAGEC does not provide on-the-day emergency accommodation. Our team may be able to provide housing support or connect you with an emergency accommodation service, depending on your situation and what is available.
If you need urgent accommodation outside our services, contact Link2Home on 1800 152 152. If you are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
WAGEC supports women, trans and gender-diverse people, and children experiencing domestic and family violence, homelessness and systemic disadvantage such as intergenerational poverty and trauma. Some services are available only within particular catchment areas or have specific eligibility requirements. See our programs and services.
If you are already receiving case management from another organisation, we can work alongside them to refer you to the most appropriate service rather than duplicating support. Our team can also explain what support is available based on your situation.
Your privacy and safety are important to us. We keep the information you share private and handle it in line with our legal and professional responsibilities. If we ever need to share information to protect someone’s safety or meet a legal requirement, we will explain this clearly wherever possible.
Crisis Services
WAGEC does not provide same-day emergency accommodation. Our team may be able to provide housing support or connect you with an emergency accommodation service, depending on your situation and what is available.
If you need urgent accommodation outside our services, contact Link2Home on 1800 152 152. If you are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
WAGEC supports women, trans and gender-diverse people, and children experiencing domestic and family violence, homelessness and systemic disadvantage. Some services are only available within particular local council areas or have specific eligibility requirements.
If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible, we encourage you to get in touch. We can talk through your situation and help you understand your options.
Some WAGEC services accept self-referrals, while others require referrals through partner agencies. Family members, friends and support workers can also contact us for guidance or make referrals where appropriate. Visit our Get Help page to find the right pathway for you.
Some of our services are for single women, however the majority are designed to support women with children. Supporting children is an important part of helping families build safe, stable futures together. That’s why we treat children as clients in their own right and offer specialist programs that help children and young people recover from the impacts of domestic and family violence such as Helping Children Heal.
No. Some people contact us while they are planning to leave, while others reach out afterwards. Whatever stage you’re at, we’ll listen without judgement, help you understand your options, and connect you with the support that feels right for you.
No. We believe survivors. You do not need to provide police reports, court orders, or any other documentation before reaching out. We will start by listening to your experience, understanding your needs and working with you to find the most appropriate support.
Yes. We can work with interpreters to help you access information and support in your preferred language. If you want to call WAGEC with the support of an interpreter, please call TIS: 131 450.
All of WAGEC’s services are free (no cost) to women and families. Our services are made possible through a combination of government funding and generous donations from corporate partners and community supporters. If we refer you to another organisation, we will always let you know if there are any costs involved.
Yes. WAGEC has a long, proud history of providing safe accommodation for women and families experiencing violence and homelessness since 1977. Across several sites, we provide short-term accommodation with wraparound support for up to 200 women and children every night, focused on housing, safety, economic stability, and wellbeing.
Many people who come to WAGEC need more than one kind of support. A dedicated case manager works alongside each person to understand their goals, coordinate support and help navigate complex systems. This may include:
- Housing support
- Safety planning
- Securing financial assistance
- Education and employment pathways
- Parenting support
- Referrals to legal, health and community services
We also have specialist Children and Young People (CYP) case managers who provide tailored support to those impacted by domestic and family violence.
This depends on your circumstances and the service you’re accessing. Some people only need short-term assistance, while others are with us for many months as they rebuild stability. We will work with you to understand what is needed and support you for as long as we can.
That’s completely okay. You don’t need to know the name of a particular program or service before contacting us.
Our team will listen to your situation, explain your options and help connect you with the support that’s the best fit for your needs, whether that’s through WAGEC or another trusted service.
Workplace training
We tailor every session to your needs. However, common topics include: gender equality, preventing gender-based violence, active bystanders and allies, respectful workplace cultures, and responding appropriately when someone discloses violence in the workplace either as an employee or customer/member/client.
Yes. We understand that every workplace has different goals, audiences and levels of experience. We work with you to develop training that is relevant to your people and context. It’s common for organisations to begin with a ‘Lunch & Learn’ before expanding into manager capability, HR training and leadership sessions. We can help you build a learning pathway that suits your people and your goals.
Yes. Depending on your needs, training can be delivered in person across NSW, online or through a blended approach.
Training can range from a 60-minute introductory session through to half-day workshops, multi-session programs or tailored learning series. We’ll work with you to design an approach that fits your goals, audience and schedule.
Yes. Policies are an important foundation, but creating lasting cultural change also requires people to understand the issues, build confidence and know how to respond in practice. Our trauma-informed and accessible training complements existing workplace policies by helping leaders and teams put them into action through practical, evidence-informed learning.
Programs
Access Mentoring
Access mentoring is typically offered for up to six months, depending on individual needs. Once matched, you and your mentor will agree on a time and frequency that works best, either in person or online.
Mentees are currently referred to the program through WAGEC case managers. External referrals are not currently open. However, if you would like to submit an expression of interest or enquire about the Access program, please get in touch with our team.
From Now
Women leaving prison often face unstable housing, complex trauma, cultural disconnection, and fragmented service systems that do not work together. Without coordinated support, these challenges can reinforce cycles of marginalisation, increasing the risk of homelessness, family separation, and re-incarceration.
From Now demonstrates a different approach. By addressing both immediate needs and underlying trauma, the program creates real opportunities for women to rebuild their lives, strengthen family connections, and move forward with stability.
Women exiting prison face significant barriers to securing stable housing. Many are excluded from the private rental market due to discrimination against people with criminal records. At the same time, access to social housing is limited, with strict eligibility criteria and overwhelming demand. These barriers exist alongside high rates of mental health challenges, substance use, and experiences of violence.
Without safe and stable housing, recovery and reintegration become significantly harder, increasing the likelihood of homelessness and re-incarceration. From Now responds to this gap by prioritising housing as the foundation for rebuilding.
From Now is a feminist response to a systemic failure. It takes a holistic, trauma-informed approach that combines housing, case management, and long-term support. It is designed specifically for women and gender-diverse people exiting prison, including pregnant people and those who are often excluded from other services. The program focuses not just on immediate needs, but on long-term safety, stability, family connection, and preventing re-incarceration.
From Now is supported through a combination of philanthropic and community support, primarily in partnership with the Judith Neilson Foundation. Ongoing investment is critical to maintaining and expanding the program to meet growing demand.
Building Tech Safety
Tech-facilitated abuse is when technology is used to monitor, control, harass, or harm someone. It can include things like tracking someone’s location, accessing accounts without permission, online harassment, or controlling money through digital platforms.
It is often part of a broader pattern of domestic and family violence, and can continue even after someone has left a relationship.
Yes. Research shows that tech-facilitated abuse is growing rapidly.
As technology becomes more embedded in daily life, it also creates more opportunities for harm. This abuse is often hidden within everyday devices and platforms, making it harder to recognise and respond to.
That is why building awareness and practical support is so important.
Sources for further information:
There are small steps that can help you feel safer when using technology, but it is important to approach changes carefully. In some situations, making sudden updates to devices or accounts can increase risk if someone is monitoring your activity.
If you are concerned about your safety, the first step is to speak with a support worker or specialist service. They can help you understand your options and support you to take steps that are right for your situation.
Helping Children Heal
The program offers a mix of therapeutic, educational and family-based support. This includes group programs, creative and play-based activities, parenting support, and connections to allied health services where needed.
Trauma can affect children in different ways depending on their age and experiences. It may show up as changes in behaviour, sleep difficulties, trouble concentrating, withdrawal, or big emotional responses. These are often ways children are trying to cope with what they have been through, not signs that something is “wrong” with them.
Safety is built over time through consistency, predictable routines and trusted relationships. Simple things like knowing what to expect each day, having safe adults around them, and being able to express themselves can make a meaningful difference. Support that is trauma-informed and age-appropriate helps children rebuild confidence and a sense of control.
You do not need to have all the answers. Being present, listening without judgement, and responding with patience and care can go a long way. Support for parents and carers is just as important, as strengthening these relationships is a key part of a child’s healing. Programs like Helping Children Heal are designed to support both children and the adults around them.
All In
Respectful relationships are built on fairness, empathy, communication and mutual respect. In early childhood, this is supporting children to share, express emotions, resolve conflict and understand differences.
Early childhood is when many ideas about identity, fairness, relationships and belonging begin to form. Supporting children early helps create stronger foundations for equality, inclusion and respect later in life. It also sets them up to continue to build healthy relationships with children and adults, and to engage with Respectful Relationships Education in primary and high school.
The program explores gender stereotypes, inclusion, respectful relationships, emotional expression, equity and the role adults play in shaping children’s environments and experiences.
Through activities, reflection and everyday practice, educators are supported to recognise how gender norms can influence play, behaviour, confidence and connection, while creating spaces where all children feel safe to express themselves freely and respectfully.
Small moments matter. Asking open questions, challenging stereotypes when they arise, using inclusive language and encouraging children to explore freely can all help create more respectful and equitable environments over time. Our free resources offer simple ways to help those conversations feel natural, practical and easier to start.
General
Working with us
Roles across WAGEC include crisis and housing support, case management, prevention and education, fundraising, operations, advocacy, communications, people and culture, finance and administration.
WAGEC offers flexible work arrangements, wherever possible. As a frontline support service, many of our client-facing and people-centred roles need to be delivered primarily in person, so flexibility will look different depending on the role and team.
Our current policy supports eligible staff to work from home at least one day each week, where operational requirements allow. Our People & Culture team continues to look for practical ways to support staff wellbeing, sustainable workloads and work-life balance.
Yes! We know great candidates do not always meet every single selection criterion. If you are passionate about the work and believe your skills and experience align with the role, we encourage you to apply.
We also welcome applications from women, trans and gender-diverse people who have previously accessed WAGEC’s services. If this applies to you and you feel comfortable sharing it, we have confidential processes in place to protect your privacy and ensure your information is handled safely and respectfully throughout recruitment and employment.
If there is anything we can do to make the recruitment process more accessible or supportive for you, we encourage you to get in touch. This could include adjustments to the application process, interview format or communication methods so you can participate more fully and comfortably.
Yes. WAGEC regularly hosts student placements, particularly in social work. Placements give emerging practitioners meaningful, trauma-informed experience within a feminist, community-based organisation.
We also advertise for volunteer positions and internship opportunities across the organisation at different times throughout the year.
WAGEC is a child-safe organisation, committed to the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of every child and young person we engage with through our services and community.
Depending on the role, successful applicants may be required to complete relevant pre-employment checks, including a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and a National Police Check before starting any work with WAGEC. Any specific requirements will be clearly outlined in the job advertisement. If you have any questions, the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) has lots of useful information on how to apply for a WWCC.
While some roles may have specific legal, child-safety or role-related requirements, including pre-employment checks — having a criminal record does not automatically exclude you from employment at WAGEC.
Where a record is relevant, we will consider it carefully, confidentially and in the context of the role, the nature of the record and the safety of the people we support. If you feel comfortable discussing this with us, we offer respectful, non-judgmental and confidential opportunities to do so throughout the recruitment process.
WAGEC welcomes applications from people of all genders who are committed to our values and to helping build a community free from gender-based violence. However, some frontline and client-facing roles may have specific requirements under relevant legislation to support the safety and needs of women, gender-diverse people and children accessing services. These requirements will always be clearly outlined in the job advertisement.
There are also many ways men can contribute to WAGEC’s work, including through fundraising, advocacy, volunteering, corporate partnerships, and prevention campaigns that help challenge the attitudes and behaviours driving gender-based violence. Find out more and get involved.
Donations
For almost 50 years, the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC) has provided specialist support to women, trans and gender-diverse people, and children experiencing domestic and family violence, homelessness and systemic disadvantage. Your donation helps fund our work from crisis support to recovery programs and advocacy that creates lasting change.
Yes. WAGEC is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission or ‘ACNC’ (ACN 960 663 613) and endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). That means all donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt. Digital gift cards from the WAGEC shop are also tax-deductible. However, other merchandise purchases are not.
Your generous donations help women, trans and gender-diverse people, and children experiencing domestic and family violence access safety, specialist support and opportunities to rebuild their lives. They help fund crisis accommodation, case management, recovery programs, dedicated healing for children, and practical assistance, while also investing in prevention and advocacy to stop violence before it starts.
WAGEC also invests in the infrastructure and operations that keeps our programs running safely and sustainably. For more information on where funds are directed, please read our latest annual report.
NSW Government funding supports some of our domestic and family violence and homelessness services. However, we rely heavily on donations from individuals, communities, businesses, and philanthropic partners to help cover the full costs of meeting growing demand. Your donations also help fund some of the most innovative parts of our work in prevention and advocacy such as our program for women beyond the justice system: From Now.
This is a beautiful idea. You can make a donation in memory or in honour of someone special. Please contact our team if you would like help arranging or acknowledging your gift on 02 8317 2685.
You can start a monthly gift during checkout, or contact us at any time to make changes to an existing regular gift. Please contact our team on 02 8317 2685.
We love working with corporate partners through workplace giving, sponsorship and community partnerships. Get in touch to find out more and see what’s possible together. Explore partnerships.
WAGEC’s direct services and programs operate in NSW. However, our advocacy, prevention and community education work reaches well beyond state borders. We regularly contribute to national conversations on gender-based violence, policy reform and prevention, and have a strong presence on social media. Our resources, campaigns and training are all free and accessible online.
Material donations
We know it’s tempting to bring donations straight to us, but please don’t drop items off without arranging it first. Because storage space is limited and our clients’ needs change all the time, we only accept items we’ve specifically requested. Joining the Donations Collective is the best way to find out what’s needed and how to donate.
We are incredibly grateful for every offer of support. However, the reality is that what women, children and families need can change from week to week, and our storage space is limited. Accepting requested items helps us make sure every donation reaches someone who needs it as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately no, WAGEC cannot accept clothing of any kind, including adult or children’s clothing, underwear, bras, and shoes. We know these items are often donated with care, but limited storage and the specific needs of the people we support mean we are unable to receive or distribute them.
Another local charity, community organisation or op shop may be able to put good-quality clothing to use, so it is worth checking with them before dropping anything off.
Absolutely! Before you start collecting items, however, please get in touch with our team so we can let you know what’s needed most at the moment. Together, we can make sure your generosity has the greatest possible impact. Contact the Fundraising Team.
We don’t usually accept furniture because we don’t have the space or capacity to safely store or transport large items. If we are ever looking for specific furniture through the Donations Collective, we will let our supporters know.
Please don’t take it personally if we can’t accept something. It simply means we don’t have a current need or the capacity to store it. Another local charity, community organisation or recycling program may be able to give it a new home, so it’s always worth checking with them before dropping it off.
If you’re unsure whether an item is suitable, we’d love to hear from you before making the trip. Please fill in our Material Goods form and our team can let you know whether we have a current need or suggest another way you can support women and families through WAGEC.
Volunteering
Yes, currently all Volunteer Collective roles are based in NSW, and most take place on-site at WAGEC locations in and around Sydney. Unfortunately, we don’t offer remote or digital volunteering roles at this time. If you’re outside NSW and want to support WAGEC, you’re always welcome to donate, shop, or fundraise to spread awareness of gender-based violence in your networks.
Absolutely! Our Skilled Volunteer pillar is designed for people with specific expertise, from allied health to creative skills like music, art or beauty therapy. The key is that your skill can be offered as a group activity for the women and families we support. Please get in touch with us at volunteer@wagec.org.au to discuss further.
It really depends on the role. Core and Program Volunteers commit to a minimum of three months (or the program duration, if less than three months long), with regular scheduled shifts (usually weekly or fortnightly). Casual and Skilled Volunteers offer time as opportunities arise, and Ambassador roles are more flexible. We’ll have a chat about what’s realistic for you during our initial conversation.
No, you do not need one before applying, however all volunteers are required to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and a National Police Check before starting any work or volunteering with WAGEC. If you do not already have a valid WWCC, we would recommend getting started on the process now. If you have any questions, the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) has lots of useful information on how to apply for a WWCC.
No, our student placements are managed separately. If you’re looking for a placement as part of a study program, please reach out to students@wagec.org.au directly.
Fundraising
We welcome individuals, families, schools, workplaces, community groups, sporting clubs, and businesses to fundraise for WAGEC. From birthday fundraisers and bake sales to major workplace campaigns, every effort helps create safer futures and brings more people into the movement to end gender-based violence. Fill in our fundraising form and get started.
The best fundraisers are the ones that feel authentic to you and your community. You might host an event, take on a physical challenge, organise a workplace fundraiser, sell something you’ve made, or ask for donations instead of gifts. If it aligns with WAGEC’s values and helps bring people together safely and respectfully around a good cause, we’d love to hear about it. Email fundraising@wagec.org.au to discuss your idea.
Absolutely. Many supporters choose to fundraise through events they’re already taking part in, such as City2Surf, local fun runs, sporting events or global occasions like International Women’s Day or the 16 Days of Activism. You can also join one of WAGEC’s own fundraising events, including Walk for WAGEC, and be part of a larger community coming together to create change.
Yes. Workplace fundraising is a fantastic way to build team connections while supporting an important cause. Your organisation might host a fundraising event, run a team challenge, match employee donations, sponsor a campaign or create an ongoing workplace giving program. We’re happy to work with you to find an approach that suits your team. Find out more about workplace giving.
Funds raised help WAGEC support women, trans and gender-diverse people, and children who are experiencing domestic and family violence, homelessness and systemic disadvantage. Your efforts help make crisis accommodation, practical support, recovery programs, mentoring, and prevention initiatives possible. Every dollar contributes to creating safe futures and working towards a world free from gender-based violence. Learn more about our work.
Focus Areas
Gender-based violence
Gender-based violence is a broad term that includes any violence targeting someone because of their gender. Domestic and family violence is a specific form of violence that occurs within intimate or family relationships. Domestic violence is the most common form of gender-based violence in Australia.
No, anyone can experience gender-based violence. Men also experience violence, most commonly perpetrated by other men. However, women and girls are disproportionately affected, particularly by intimate partner violence. The evidence is consistent: gender inequality is the primary driver, and addressing it protects everyone.
Leaving is often the most dangerous time. Many victim-survivors are carefully managing their safety by staying — they know their situation better than anyone else. There are also many barriers to leaving safely and securely, including financial dependence, fear, housing insecurity, concerns about children, and community or cultural pressure. On average, it takes a person seven attempts to leave a violent relationship for good (DCJ). The most important thing you can do is support someone’s autonomy and let them know help is available when they’re ready.
Believe them. Listen without judgement. Don’t pressure them to act before they’re ready. Offer practical resources such as transport, childcare, or a safe place to stay. And remind them they’re not alone. If you’re unsure what to say, visit our Resources Hub for more insights on being an effective bystander or ally.
Yes. Evidence shows that promoting gender equality, challenging stereotypes, fostering respectful relationships, and creating safer institutions and communities can help prevent violence before it starts.
Homelessness
There is no single definition of homelessness. Many people experiencing homelessness never sleep rough. You may be considered homeless if you are staying in temporary accommodation, couch surfing, sleeping in your car, living in overcrowded housing, or remaining somewhere unsafe because you have nowhere else to go.
What we do know is that this is a growing issue. Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows that 59 people per day are turned away from homelessness services across the state because they are too full and overwhelmed. The number of people sleeping rough in NSW has also risen by 75% since 2020 (Homelessness NSW | Rough Sleeping is Up: We know what to do, we just need the funding).
Women are more likely to experience hidden forms of homelessness, such as couch surfing, staying in temporary accommodation, or remaining in unsafe homes because they have nowhere else to go.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), domestic and family violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women in Australia. Women and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness may also be at risk of additional forms of violence and exploitation, including sexual violence (Fitz-Gibbon et al. 2022).
At the same time, gender inequality, the Gender Pay Gap, insecure work, unpaid caring responsibilities, and a lack of affordable housing all reduce women’s financial security and housing options. When these factors intersect with experiences of violence, discrimination or poverty, the risk of homelessness increases even further.
At WAGEC, we believe ending women’s homelessness means addressing both the immediate housing crisis and the systems that drive it, including patriarchy, colonisation, and the shortage of safe, affordable housing under capitalism. For more information, please visit AIHW’s website.
Many women experiencing homelessness never sleep rough, which means you can’t often see them on the streets. Instead, they may be couch surfing, staying in temporary accommodation, living in overcrowded housing, sleeping in their car, or remaining in unsafe homes because they have nowhere else to go.
Hidden homelessness often goes unseen, making it harder for women and children to access support and easier for the scale of the issue to be underestimated.
WAGEC does not provide on the day accommodation. However, we do provide person-centred, strengths-based and trauma-informed case management to clients who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. This includes:
- Safety planning
- Information, advocacy and help navigating the housing system through a dedicated case worker
- Connecting clients to additional support services e.g. legal or financial advice
- Support to access crisis, transitional and long-term accommodation
Some WAGEC services include limited crisis and transitional accommodation. Availability depends on individual circumstances and capacity.
Specialist homelessness services or ‘SHS’ provide support to people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. SHS agencies receive government funding to provide assistance, with services typically designated for prevention, early intervention, crisis and post-crisis, including accommodation-related services and personal services. SHS agencies vary in size and in the types of assistance provided.
WAGEC is considered an SHS with funding for several crisis accommodations, a transitional housing program and outreach services across City of Sydney, Burwood, Canada Bay, Inner West and Strathfield Local Government Areas (LGAs). If you think you might be eligible or would like to refer a client, <please visit our Get help page>.
For more information, please visit → homelessnessnsw.org.au
WAGEC supports women, trans and gender-diverse people, children, and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, particularly those escaping domestic and family violence. Each of our individual services and programs have different eligibility criteria and cover different service areas across NSW. To find out more, please visit our crisis and homelessness services page.
Homelessness doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s shaped by housing affordability, gender inequality, economic insecurity and violence. That’s why WAGEC combines crisis support with advocacy and prevention, working to change the systems that place women and children at greater risk in the first place. Find out more about our advocacy work.
Preventing violence
Primary prevention describes work that aims to stop gender-based violence before it happens by addressing its underlying drivers, including gender inequality, harmful stereotypes and unequal power.
Gender-based violence describes violence directed at a person because of their gender, including domestic, family and sexual violence. Women, trans and gender-diverse people, and children are overwhelmingly affected. The evidence shows attitudes that support violence such as denying gender inequality is a problem, condoning disrespect or abuse towards women, undermining women’s independence, and promoting rigid gender roles and stereotypes are commonly-held excuses across our society.
The research consistently shows that gender-based violence is driven by gender inequality. When societies value one gender over another, excuse harmful stereotypes or reinforce unequal power, the risk of violence increases. Creating more equal relationships, workplaces and communities helps challenge these attitudes and reduces the conditions in which violence can occur. This is the work of prevention and we can all be a part of it every day.
While gender equality is one of the foundations of violence prevention, gender-based violence does not affect everyone in the same way. First Nations women, women with disability, women from migrant and refugee backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ communities, young and older women and people experiencing poverty or housing insecurity often face additional barriers to accessing safety and support. Prevention means challenging the overlapping systems of inequality that make violence more likely and harder to escape.
An active bystander responds safely to something happening in a public setting. An ethical ally provides ongoing support to a friend, family member or colleague. In both situations, safety must always come first.
Remember: you don’t need to be an expert to act. Learning to safely question disrespect, challenge stereotypes and support people around you makes a real difference. Our free videos and posters explain how.
After almost 50 years supporting those experiencing domestic and family violence, we know crisis services alone cannot end violence. Prevention complements our frontline work by addressing the conditions that create violence in the first place.
Our prevention work is grounded in lived experience and decades of frontline practice. We combine evidence, community partnerships and practical education with insights gained from supporting thousands of women, trans and gender-diverse people, and children every year.
Yes, absolutely! WAGEC provides workplace training, speakers, education programs and resources tailored to organisations, schools, universities and community groups looking to play a role in preventing gender-based violence.
No. Education is vital but it is only one part of a broader continuum of prevention work. Lasting change also requires improving policies, creating safer workplaces, stronger communities, equitable systems, and investments in gender equality.
beyond violence.
