A blueprint towards the elimination of gender-based violence

Here at Respect.Now.Always., we talk about community. A lot.

As a program whose sole existence is to serve the UTS community (all 45,000+ of you!), our latest research report, Community Voice sought to answer one question: how can we better serve our community in the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence?

Specifically, we sought to:

• Uncover and build upon existing strengths inherent to RNA at UTS, such as a humanised and participatory approach to effecting sustainable cultural change. 
• Empirically extend upon previous research efforts that have centred community perspectives on addressing gender-based violence at UTS (e.g., Student Voice). 
• Crystallise this community-driven research with relevant insights from a broad academic- and practice-oriented evidence base. 
• Develop a community-driven theory of change, including the pre-conditions and outcomes necessary to effect positive change. 
• Synthesise this evidence to offer a series of lessons and recommendations that can inform future strategic and action planning for RNA at UTS. 

Through 54 interviews with students and staff across the UTS community, Community Voice detailed a series of recommendations: 

• Pursue a comprehensive agenda of community-driven co-design for future directions 

• Develop a robust, mixed-methods monitoring and evaluation framework 

• Socialise and institutionalise the Theory of Change on Page 37 throughout the UTS community 

• Renew resources and funding to sustain the complex work  of addressing sexual violence at UTS. 

Explore the RNA Theory of Change

Tackling gender-based violence requires campus-wide and whole-of-institution change. In this Theory of Change, you can view the complexity of this challenge, spanning the continuum of action on addressing gender-based violence, from well-tailored primary prevention through to compassionate, coordinated, and trauma-informed response. It recognises that prevention and response are both crucial, though often in very different ways. Both are necessary, but neither on their own is sufficient.

Call to action

We invite you to familiarise yourself with the RNA Theory of Change, as addressing gender-based violence is everyone’s business, and responsibility. 

As a member of the UTS community, where do you see yourself within this Theory of Change? What can you, as an individual, do to prevent gender-based violence? Here, we share some starting ideas:

Read up on our Sexual Harm Prevention and Response Policy to understand how we all hold a proactive responsibility for the prevention of sexual harm at UTS (A)

Be aware of the support services available (2.1)

Sign up to deliver RNA at UTS via volunteering, education and capacity-building opportunities (1.3.1)