By Tanya Steele
Family violence is in the spotlight with awareness, primary prevention and a culture for change at the forefront for sports clubs in an upcoming workshop in the Knox area.
Knox City Council are hosting the free workshop for sporting clubs which will be presented by family violence prevention specialist, Trent Larkman on 22 May.
The ‘Clubs Say No to Family Violence’ is a club development program initiative intended to increase awareness of family violence in the community.
The workshop will take participants through the connections between sporting club culture and the factors influencing family violence.
Knox Mayor, Cr Jude Dwight said that family violence is a serious and preventable issue.
“Grassroots sporting clubs play an important part in role modelling, developing a culture of respect and equality, and driving positive change,” she said.
Family violence prevention specialist Mr Trent Larkman said that although the title is ‘Our Club says No 2 Family Violence’, the program is really much more a primary prevention workshop.
“We know family violence is largely perpetrated by men. And so we really need to be engaging men in what is a men’s issue,” he said.
The workshop aims to build stronger cultures within sporting clubs, and to educate on the link sporting club culture has in preventing family violence and all forms of violence against women.
“It’s very much a starting place to bring awareness to the change the clubs can create,” Mr Larkman said.
Knox has had the highest rate of reported incidents of family violence in Melbourne’s outer east for over 20 years, with family violence rates steadily increasing in Knox over the last five years.
Knox City Council presented its updated family violence statement of commitment at its 22 April meeting and the council was also awarded $212,500 over three years from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to deliver the ‘Free From Violence’ project.
The free from violence strategy responds to the royal commission into family violence and looks at where inequality and violent behaviour is shaped, early intervention and crisis response.
“Council is committed to taking action by working with community groups to change our culture and stop violence before it starts,” said Mayor Dwight.
The workshop prompts a lot of self reflection within participants and Mr Larkman said that it is a key part of his training approach.
“It’s inviting them to reflect on themselves and reflect on how these ideas are playing out in the club,” he said.
Mr Larkman started out as a volunteer men’s family violence counsellor, with an organisation called Men’s Referral Service.
”I just absolutely fell in love with the work that really aligned with my values and the type of world I wanted to live in and have been committed to it ever since,” he said.
Mr Larkman said that addressing gender inequality within sporting clubs is really important and the first steps include highlighting everyday sexism and language used between men.
“We provide people with some skills to firstly identify and understand how harmful it is” he said.
“We’re all somewhat resistant to acknowledging our privilege, but it’s vital we all step into that discomfort to create a better world.”
The workshop also unpacks how gender equality play out in a club environment and Mr Larkman said that it’s about encouraging clubs to realise if they start creating the conditions of equlity, it’s better for everybody.
“It’s around helping clubs to broaden their understanding of how gender, equality and inclusivity can really be an awesome thing for everybody in the club,” he said.
“Your men’s and women’s team will perform better, as equality, teamwork and collaboration is good on and off the field,” he said.
All Knox sporting clubs, committee members, coaches, leadership groups, and team captains are encouraged to attend.
The workshop will run on Wednesday 22 May, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Knox City Council Civic Centre Room 3, 511 Burwood Hwy Wantirna South 3152.
Refreshments will be provided and for any questions or concerns, please contact Club Development Project Officer, Cesar Oritz, at cesar.oritz@knox.vic.gov.au or on 0438 185 491.
“When you start to develop a reputation that your club is really inclusive and it’s really open and supportive of women – people of all identities will want to come and play sport at your club, your club will grow,” Mr Larkman said.
