In collaboration with the NRL Voice Against Violence program and OurWatch initiative, Melbourne Storm is using its powerful voice to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and children.
In alignment with the global campaign ’16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence’, Storm are continuing to advocate for and promote violence prevention through several informative sessions with players and staff through its “Stand Up, Speak Out, Take Action” initiative.
The OurWatch initiative was presented to Storm and NRL Victoria staff while the Voice against Violence program has been delivered to Storm’s junior pathway programs and the broader Victorian rugby league community.
Former NRL player Alan Tongue is an ambassador for the Voice against Violence program and presented alongside former Storm player Ryan Hoffman earlier this year to Storm’s Jersey Flegg squad.
Hoffman, alongside Tongue helped teach Storm’s next generation of talent the importance of respect and equality through an engaging and practical session.
Delivering to both Storm’s pathway programs and the local Victorian rugby league community, the Voice Against Violence program is aimed at fostering a sense of empowerment and responsibility to stand up, speak out and take action to contribute to the prevention of violence.
Sessions provide insights into what this violence is, the different forms it takes, the consequences and why it occurs.
Meanwhile, the OurWatch program has delivered a series of prevention workshops and will now guide Storm toward the development of the Club’s first Gender Equity Action Plan.
To learn more about the ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence’ click on the following links:
· Respect Victoria’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign toolkit. This toolkit has a range of resources including a media release template and social media tiles
· SRV’s Guidelines for Preventing Violence Against Women: Taking Action Through Community Sport
· UNESCO and UN women: Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls in Sport – a four-page summary of a larger handbook that provides key recommendations for people working in and with sport organisations to respond to gender-based violence in sport
