The Minns Labor Government has delivered a share of $100,000 to support efforts to prevent domestic and family violence during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Cessnock Family Support Service Inc has been awarded $4,000 to support their project: A Community United in Prevention.
The project promotes prevention as key to generational change and encourages the local community to take a united stand against gender-based violence.
Cessnock Family Support Service Inc is one of 20 organisations to receive funding under this program statewide.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign that runs from 25 November to 10 December each year. This year, the Minns Labor Government is empowering local organisations to deliver community-based activities to address the primary prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence.
The NSW Government is taking a whole-of-community approach to stopping violence before it starts, by changing attitudes and behaviours that tolerate abuse in places where people live, study, work, play and socialise.
Funded activities include digital campaigns, training, community forums and marches, outreach, art and storytelling projects, and events that promote positive masculinity and challenge gender biases.
Recipients range from Aboriginal organisations, neighbourhood centres, outreach services, as well as women and family centres.
Each of the selected projects were carefully assessed according to grant guidelines and received between $2,500 and $5,000 to deliver local, community-led initiatives.
The grants support the NSW Government’s ‘Pathways to Prevention: NSW Strategy for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence 2024–2028’, which outlines a long-term, whole-of-community approach to addressing the drivers of gender based violence.
This is part of the government’s wider efforts to bring down the rates of domestic and family violence in the state, which includes boosting support services for victim-survivors, strengthening protections through bail reform, holding perpetrators to account and earlier intervention.
For a full list of successful recipients and more information about the campaign, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/16-days-of-activism-2025
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
“Domestic and family violence is unacceptable and we are working with local communities to end violence in our state.
“Local organisations know what works in their communities and we are empowering them to take meaningful local action to stop violence before it starts. These projects reflect our community’s commitment to challenge violent behaviours and change the story for many women and families to one where violence does not exist.
“Primary prevention is about more than just raising awareness. It’s about reframing the culture that enables violence and making respectful healthy relationships the standard across schools, families and communities.”
State Member for the Electorate of Cessnock, Clayton Barr said:
“Stopping domestic and family violence before it starts helps us build safer, happier and more stable communities.
“Cessnock Family Support Service Inc has been at the forefront working across the local community to say no to gender-based violence.
“I encourage everyone in the Cessnock Electorate to get behind the 16 Days of Activism campaign.”