What is Promoting Respect and Equity Together (PRET)?

PRET is our third regional strategy to end family violence in the Southern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne (2025 - 2030).

It was developed in partnership with over 38 organisations across the Southern Metropolitan Region and follows on from the work of the first regional strategy, Preventing Violence Together 2016-2021.

The PRET strategy brings together the work across the region to create safe, equal and respectful relationships, families, workplaces, schools and communities.

All organisations involved in the PRET Strategy will work together with people across the region to find what works for them, to create healthy and thriving communities free from disrespect, discrimination, abuse and violence.

View the primary prevention projects and initiatives led by PRET Partners.

What’s New in PRET 2025–2030?

Expansion into new settings: PRET partners will look to engage new organisations, clubs and other services that haven’t yet embedded respectful relationships and gender equality.
Innovative tools and training: PRET will integrate new evidence, new ways of working with a diverse range of community members in this prevention work.
Prevention across the spectrum: we’ll learn more about how we can embed prevention across the spectrum of early intervention, response, recovery and healing.
Clear, accessible communication: We’re committed to building community understanding and ownership of prevention work through inclusive messaging and storytelling.

WHISE members are invited to:

Join our communities of practice: collaborate with peers on topics like working with men and boys, intersectionality, and embedding lived experience in prevention.
Attend learning forums and webinars: Stay informed and inspired by the latest evidence, practice, and voices from across the region.
Share your work: Showcase your organisation’s initiatives through our bi-monthly network meetings and newsletters.
Partner with us: Whether you’re in education, health, justice, or community services, there’s a place for you in PRET.

Communities of Practice

WHISE has a commitment to building the capacity and capability of our regional workforce through sharing knowledge and emerging practice.

Regional Data Snapshots – Southern Metropolitan Region

Research has established that the root cause of violence against women is largely as a result of gender inequality, and the factors that continue to disadvantage women. Factors such as cultural norms, social expectations and the many inequitable economic policies that disadvantage women as well as attitudes towards women.

WHISE has compiled a number of regional data snapshots that not only highlight family violence rates and sexual offences incidents within each local government area but also reveal what gender inequality looks like by presenting information about caring responsibilities and income levels for men and women.

For the regional data snapshots, head to our resources page.