Community sport will play a role in the prevention of violence against women, on and off the field, as the Andrews Labor Government equips clubs and organisations with new grants and guidelines.

Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams and Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence today announced $2.3 million for the Preventing Violence Through Sport grants program and Guidelines for Preventing Violence Against Women.

Grants of up to $200,000 will be available to support new and existing partnerships for clubs, leagues and associations to deliver violence prevention initiatives for players, coaches and volunteers.

The prevention strategies must be driven by the new Guidelines, which focus on working with young people to build safe and respectful cultures in sporting clubs to end attitudes that excuse or downplay violence including sexual violence.

This includes the development of gender equality action plans, gender equity and bystander action training – including how to call out disrespect and sexism.

Violence against women is serious and prevalent in our community but it is preventable. The Labor Government is committed to ending this violence by addressing the underlying social conditions that allow it to occur.

Victorians love sport and community sport can play a crucial role in driving inclusion and equality – breaking down prejudice and fostering a common ground for everyone in the club room, on the field and in the stands.

The Government has invested $1.5 million in the development of the Guidelines, including pilot projects funded by the Office for Women and coordinated by Sport and Recreation Victoria.

Applications for the grants open on Monday, 7 March and will close on Friday, 29 April 2022. For more information or to apply, visit sport.vic.gov.au.