The Safe, Respected and Free from Violence (SRFV) project evaluated local primary prevention projects, Girls Can Boys Can (GCBC) and Old Ways are Strong (OWS). GCBC was developed by the Tangentyere Family Violence Prevention Program (TFVPP) in partnership with the Larapinta Child and Family Centre (LCFC). The aim was to create gender-equitable early childhood messaging and produce resources for distribution across Mparntwe/Alice Springs. OWS was developed in partnership between Tangentyere Council and italk Studios. The OWS projectaimed to challenge colonial narratives around Aboriginal relationships and gender roles, specifically the idea that violence against Aboriginal women is “just their culture”. Both primary prevention projects are supported by the Tangentyere Women’s Family Safety Group (TWSFG), who are a group of senior Aboriginal women campaigning against family violence.

The evaluation was underpinned by Indigenist research methodology and made use of a mixed-method approach to assess participants’ attitudes and beliefs about gender, violence and Aboriginal cultures. It also assessed whether participants’ engagement with the project impacted their knowledge, attitudes and beliefs. The methods included a range of survey types conducted both in person and online. Interviews were conducted before (baseline) and after (endline) with project partnership staff. These were done in person.

The evaluation found that while significant positive shifts about underlying attitudes toward  violence against women were evident, a high proportion of respondents at the end of project still believed that violence was sometimes acceptable. Explicit messaging about violence was demonstrated to have a positive effect, and could contribute to ending violence against women. Impacts on the workforce were significant with demonstrated increased workforce capacity as a result of participation. However, workforce respondents identified a strong need for ongoing, funded, support and a dedicated primary prevention workforce.

Suggested citation
Brown, C., Homan, S., Simpson, C., & Leung, L. (2021). Rante-rante ampe Marle and Urreye: “Safe, Respected and Free from Violence” projects evaluation (Research report, 05/2021). ANROWS.