As outlined in the national Change the Story framework by Our Watch, one of the key actions to prevent violence against women is to support men and boys to develop healthy masculinities and positive, supportive peer relationships.
Here in Geraldton, the Community, Respect and Equality initiative is built on that same foundation, bringing together workplaces and organisations to create lasting social change.
During September, a group of local organisations including Aboriginal Family Legal Services, Health Communication Resources, and Radio MAMA partnered with a group of men to explore how these ideas could be brought to life within our community.
Together, they developed a campaign highlighting the importance of positive fatherhood, healthy masculinities, and the power of working together to prevent family violence. Seven local dads shared their voices and experiences, creating a series of radio announcements for Radio MAMA and social media posts that were shared widely across the community.
Their messages were heartfelt and authentic, drawing on real-life reflections about fatherhood and the role of men in shaping the next generation. By featuring local voices, the campaign not only resonated deeply with listeners but also celebrated local leadership, with community members amplifying the content through shares, comments, and conversations.
Importantly, this approach helped reach new audiences across Geraldton. Data showed that most people engaging with the campaign had not previously connected with the Community, Respect and Equality project, expanding awareness and building stronger community ownership of the message.
This is exactly why Community, Respect and Equality continues to focus on empowering community members to take the lead, to own the message, share it in their own way, and help build a culture of respect and equality across Geraldton. Our hope is that more people, workplaces, and organisations will join the Community, Respect and Equality Alliance to stand together and continue this vital work to prevent violence against women.
Listen to one of the radio announcements developed for the campaign here!
