VIOLENCE against women has been dragged into the spotlight with the State Government pledging $150,000 for local councils to try and tackle the issue as part of the Right to Respect campaign.

Minister for Women’s Affairs Maxine Morand said the funds were aimed at helping local councils implement programs that will hopefully help to prevent violence against women.

“Maribyrnong City Council, for example, has developed a respect and equity program which integrates prevention of violence against women into council’s core business work,” she said. While announcing the new initiative Ms Morand described violence against women as one of the “most significant social issues facing the community”.

Minister for Local Government Richard Wynne stressed the important role local councils played in helping to stamp out violence against women.

“With their close community relationships through sporting clubs, faith communities and migrant and refugee organisations, councils can profoundly influence social and community change,” Mr Wynne said.

Ms Morand said the Brumby Government had invested $175 million in a comprehensive range of reforms to the family violence system since 2005.

“As a community, we need to stop this violence and a Right to Respect provides the framework for the cultural and behavioural change required to achieve this,” she said.