TasTAFE has become the first educational organisation in Tasmania to partner with Our Watch, a national leader in violence prevention.
On 20 June the two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to help eliminate violence against women and children and promote a culture of equality.
This will be done through a four-step process which includes:
The partnership will also include the exchange of best practices and research findings, resource sharing and staff training.
TasTAFE CEO, Grant Dreher, said TasTAFE was committed to providing a safe, fair and equal environment for its learners and staff.
“Preventing violence against women is a community-wide responsibility and we want TasTAFE to be part of the solution in delivering change.
“Our partnership with Our Watch will enable the exchange of best practice and research in gender equality and violence prevention as we develop a Respect and Equality Strategy for TasTAFE. It will also equip our staff with skills and knowledge in this area.
“We’re proud to partner with Our Watch to raise awareness, promote respectful behaviours and foster gender equality.
“Through increasing awareness and understanding of gender-based violence and discrimination, we hope to create a more inclusive and equitable culture for everyone at TasTAFE and in the wider community,” Grant Dreher said.
Our Watch CEO, Patty Kinnersly, welcomed the new partnership and commitment from the institute.
“Violence against women is underpinned by cultures of gender inequality, sexism and disrespect being prevalent and normalised across our communities – including within our education systems.
“This violence is preventable, and TAFEs and universities can be part of the change by challenging gender stereotypes, such as encouraging more women to take trade roles and more men to take caring roles – and by ensuring educational workplaces are safe and equal for all genders.
“This partnership is a positive step towards making change and we look forward to supporting TasTAFE to play their part in prevention,” Ms Kinnersly said.
Please contact media@ourwatch.org.au or call 0448 844 930.
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1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732. Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
Access guides for reporting about violence against women and their children.
Our Watch is a national leader in Australia’s work to stop violence against women and their children before it starts. The organisation was created to drive nation-wide change in the practices, norms, and structures that lead to violence against women and children. Read more about Our Watch here.