A national campaign
Stop it at the Start is a national campaign that aims to prevent gender-based violence by influencing change to attitudes and behaviours that support or condone gender-based violence. It takes a primary prevention approach to ensure adults play a role in the prevention of disrespect and violence supportive attitudes among young people aged 10–17 years.
The campaign was first launched in 2016 and the focus of each phase is informed and developed through extensive research and testing. Read the media backgrounder for the campaign in the Media Hub.
A new problem has been identified
Developmental research for phase 5 of the campaign was conducted from April to August 2023. Findings showed a ‘new problem’ has emerged which has quickly occurred since research was conducted for phase 4 of the campaign in 2021.
There has been a marked contextual shift driving a significant knowledge gap for adults, creating a generational divide in how Australians feel and experience disrespect.
New significant influences, originating in social media are creating an echo chamber of disrespectful voices which are having a significant impact on the attitudes and behaviours of young people towards gendered disrespect. They are changing the definition of respect / disrespect, how disrespect is experienced and felt, and adults are largely absent from these conversations. These new powerful influences are creating fertile ground for generationally violence supportive attitudes to grow.
The hidden trends of disrespect
Adults need to educate themselves and understand the potential risks this presents without the positive voices of adults and that the problem has not been solved.
The new phase of the national campaign, The Hidden Trends of Disrespect, aims to educate adults about the new and hidden forms of disrespect young people are being exposed to online and offline, and the negative impact this has on attitudes and behaviours.
Prevalence of domestic and family violence in Australia
An estimated 4.2 million adults (21%) have experienced partner violence or abuse since the age of 152.
- 9.3% of women and 2.3% of men experienced violence by a boyfriend/ girlfriend/ date.
- 23% of women and 7.3% of men experienced violence by an intimate partner.
- 23% of women and 14% of men have experienced emotional abuse.
- 8.1% of women and 5.9% of men experienced violence by a family member.
Infographic
An infographic showing the prevalence of domestic and family violence in Australia.