Change starts with us: A full-day primary prevention workshop

Register

Expressions of interest open

Free event

About the event

17 Feb, 2026

22 Apr, 2026

15 Jun, 2026

10.00am–4.30pm AEST

10.00am–4.30pm AEST

9.30am–4.00pm AEST

Online

Register

This free training aims to support people who are new to the primary prevention of violence against women sector. It provides the introductory skills and knowledge to implement Change the story: A shared framework for preventing violence against women in Australia, covering: 

  • the link between violence against women and gender inequality
  • key components of the Change the story framework, including the drivers of violence against women, gendered norms, practices and structures and elements of an intersectional approach
  • the essential ingredients for prevention practice – prevention techniques, socioecological model and essential actions
  • the 5 guiding principles for addressing masculinities and working with men and boys in prevention
  • other evidence-based frameworks and resources to support primary prevention practice.

This training is for people who are entering or new to the prevention sector, or who are looking to understand the national evidence base. Each program is capped to ensure a positive learning experience. As such, we try to select participants from a diversity of settings, backgrounds and geographical locations. 

You will be notified of the outcome of your expression of interest several weeks prior to the training.

Please note, this training is not training about responding to support those experiencing family, domestic or sexual violence and is not therapeutic in nature.

Expressions of interest open

Expressions of interest are currently open for training on:

Tuesday 17 February 2026, 10:00am-4:30pm AEST
Registration closes on Tuesday 20 January 2026, 5:00pm AEST

Wednesday 22 April 2026, 10:00am-4:30pm AEST
Registration closes on Friday 20 March 2026, 5:00pm AEST

Monday 15 June 2026, 9:30am-4:00pm AEST
Registration closes on Friday 15 May 2026, 5:00pm AEST

Use the 'Register now' button to express your interest via our form.

For attendees with questions about access or about the training, please email training@ourwatch.org.au.

Watch

Facilitators

Natalie Russell (she/her)

Natalie Russell (she/her)

Natalie is a Prevention Sector Engagement Lead at Our Watch, where she works to support and strengthen the capability of Australia’s primary prevention workforce. She has contributed to prevention and gender equality initiatives across local and state government, community health, and non-profit organisations in both Australian and international settings. Natalie is particularly interested in the role of values-based messaging to support meaningful and effective communication in primary prevention. 

Cameron McDonald

Cameron McDonald

Cameron is a proud social worker who has never been satisfied with outdated masculine stereotypes in Australia. From a young age he committed to taking action against gendered violence and what drives it. He has worked in the primary prevention of men’s violence against women, in sexual health and healthy relationships initiatives with diverse populations, young and old. He has worked in men’s health and wellbeing roles, and in therapeutic and group settings with men who have perpetrated violence.

At Our Watch, he authored the Men in focus practice guide (2022) in collaboration with an incredible advisory group and is currently a Prevention Sector Engagement Lead, where he builds the capacity and connectedness of practitioners working to prevent men’s violence against women across the continent. 

Melissa Kulan (she/her)

Melissa Kulan (she/her)

Melissa is a Prevention Sector Engagement Lead at Our Watch with a background in community development and women’s health. Mel has worked on community-led approaches to preventing violence, racism and other forms of discrimination using a range of models. She recently led the design of a 2-day program for practitioners called Deepening the change, which supports the implementation of evidence-based primary prevention. Mel loves dogs, bush walking and being part of a movement for equality and social change. 

Read before the event

Green background with publication title in black.

Change the story

  • 4 resources in this collection

Change the story publications and videos outline the actions needed to address the underlying drivers of violence against women.

Teal background with publication title in white.

Changing the picture

  • 3 resources in this collection

Changing the picture outlines the actions to address the drivers of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Yellow background with publication title in black.

Changing the landscape

  • 29 resources in this collection

Changing the landscape is a guide to the prevention of violence against women and girls with disabilities.