Tackling Violence

Tackling Violence is a NSW Government community education, early intervention and prevention program funded by the Department of Communities and Justice. The program uses men’s involvement in rugby league as a platform to change attitudes and behaviours towards family and domestic violence. It is underpinned by a Code-of-Conduct which commits rugby league clubs and their individual representatives to refrain from perpetrating family and domestic violence. Clubs also participate in family and domestic violence education workshops and support broader community awareness campaigns through social media and other communication channels.

Tackling Violence has four components:

1. Club Sponsorship: In return for $3000 in sponsorship clubs sign a code of conduct that commits them to penalising players for domestic violence offences and display the Tackling Violence logo on their playing kit and at their home ground.
2. Education and Community Engagement: Clubs attend Tackling Violence educational sessions which focus on identifying domestic and family violence (DFV), examining ways to challenge DFV, and developing supporting attitudes and behaviours towards women.
3. Community Awareness: is promoted through a targeted media campaign which aims to inform and link the public to support services. It includes a community service announcement featuring clubs delivering anti domestic violence messages is broadcast on regional commercial television during NRL broadcasts and posted on social media.
4. Referrals and support arrangements: The program provides clubs with details of DFV support services in their community; and establishes links between sponsored clubs and local DFV services.

Tackling Violence was a former finalist in the NSW Premiers Awards for Strengthening the Communities category, which recognises projects that improve people’s lives by building strong communities. Tackling Violence was also a finalist in the NSW Institute of Public Administration Australia Awards for public value.

The Tackling Violence education resource Change Your Ways, Australian Men Speak About Domestic Violence was shown at the United Nations 57th Status of Women’s Forum in New York City.

The Tackling Violence program is currently under review. If you are interested in participating in the program, please contact tacklingviolence@dcj.nsw.gov.au.