Changing conversations about family violence in regional Western Australia: A primary prevention communication case study

Abstract

Changing conversations about family violence in regional Western Australia: A primary prevention communication case study Helen Fordham,1 Heath Greville,2 Monica Moran,2 Dane Waters,3 Sandra C. Thompson2, * 1 Media and Communications, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Australia 2 Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Australia 3 Health Communication Resources, Australia Submitted: 6 March 2023; Revision requested: 21 August 2023; Accepted: 25 August 2023 Abstract Objective: To illuminate the enablers and challenges of implementing a communication strategy designed to support Community, Respect, Equality (CRE) and a family and domestic violence (FDV) primary prevention plan in a regional Western Australian town. Method: This research draws on documentation and interviews with members of Leading Lights, an advocacy group arising from a collaboration of local organisations to communicate the goals and priorities of the CRE action plan. Interviews explored how primary prevention messages were promoted to foster supportive community attitudes toward addressing the drivers of FDV. Results: The initiative fostered a learning community that coordinated public messaging about the drivers of FDV for organisations pledged to the CRE values. The diffusion of messaging was affected over time by inconsistent staffing, discontinuities in resourcing and individual organisational commitment, and concerns about gender equality messaging. Conclusion: The communications strategy increased awareness of the drivers of FDV among the members of the Leading Lights. In turn, this group produced media content that made visible each organisation’s commitment to addressing the attitudes and behaviours that enable FDV. Implications for public health: Community collaborations need time, resourcing, and coordination to sustainably prompt changes in social norms that underpin violence. Key words: family and domestic violence, primary prevention, gender equality, strategic communication