Description

This evaluation report describes a community initiative that took place in East Gippsland in late November 2008. The Gippsland CommUNITY Walk Against Family Violence extended over four days and brought together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women, children and men, and agencies across the family violence and criminal justice service sectors. The Walk aimed to bring about change in community attitudes towards family violence, by focusing on celebrating culture, strengthening communities, building partnerships and publicly demonstrating an attitude of no tolerance towards family violence. The walk was initiated by Aboriginal people and led by the East Gippsland Family Violence Regional Action Group (in partnership with Yoowinna Wurnalong Healing Service. The report comprises: a literature review of relevant international and local literature; face-to-face interviews with key players; focus groups with participant groups; an audit of visual products; an analysis of media coverage, photographs and video documentation. The evaluation report discusses what works and what did not work and what aspects of the initiative are transferable to other communities to provide guidance and to role model best practice to communities across Victoria and more broadly.