newy.com.au – Four Hunter organisations will share $18,211 in NSW Government grants for community initiatives aimed at preventing gender based violence.
The grants, announced on 6 November, are part of more than $100,000 allocated to 21 projects across NSW for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The campaign runs from 25 November to 10 December 2026.
Newcastle’s Jenny’s Place Inc will receive $4,837 to run Respect Looks Good on Us, an initiative encouraging community action to prevent violence before it starts.
Cessnock City Council has been allocated $3,374 for A Community United in Prevention and Justice. Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services will receive $5,000 for Port Stephens Says No to Violence: Hear. Support. Act.
In Muswellbrook, Upper Hunter Homeless Specialist and Outreach Service Limited will receive $5,000 for Challenge Harm & Choose Respect.
Newcastle state MP Tim Crakanthorp welcomed the grant for Jenny’s Place.
“The NSW Government is committed to putting a stop to domestic violence in NSW, and that has to start at the source.”
“Jenny’s Place are a fantastic organisation who help women and children escaping domestic violence every day. I am so pleased to see funding flow towards them to help stop domestic violence before it begins.”
Across NSW, the grants support community forums, workshops, digital communications campaigns, youth led initiatives and other events promoting gender equality, respect and attitudes that reject violence. The program is delivered through Local Domestic and Family Violence Committees and Local Domestic Violence Networks in metropolitan, regional and rural communities.
The recipients also include Relationships Australia NSW, which will receive $4,500 for the statewide online initiative Men in the Conversation: Understanding the Manosphere and Building Positive Alternatives.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
“Domestic and family violence affects communities across our state, and preventing it requires everyone to play a role.
“That’s why we are investing in grassroots initiatives that promote respectful and healthy relationships, and address the attitudes, stereotypes and inequalities that can drive gender-based violence.
“We’re empowering communities in New South Wales to take action, to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in meaningful ways to create a future where violence is never tolerated and everyone can live safely.”
The government’s broader prevention approach is outlined in Pathways to Prevention: NSW Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 2024-2028, which is supported by a $38.3 million investment.
That work includes partnerships with sporting organisations through the Multisport Coalition, Game on for Change Grants and Aboriginal Sport for Respect grants, using sport’s influence to help prevent domestic and family violence.
Other measures include SafeWork NSW Respect at Work workshops to prevent and address sexual harassment, work with local community organisations to change attitudes and behaviours that tolerate violence, and a whole of school Respectful Relationships Education program promoting gender equality, empathy and safety.
The government says its prevention work is in addition to a $184.1 million funding boost for six specialist domestic and family violence programs supporting victim-survivors. It says the boost represents a 50 per cent increase for those key programs.
Anyone in immediate danger should call police on Triple Zero (000). Confidential advice, support and referrals are available through 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
People experiencing domestic and family violence can call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63. People who have experienced sexual violence can call the Sexual Violence Helpline on 1800 424 017. Both provide free counselling and referrals 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For information about local Men’s Behaviour Change Programs, contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
