Addressing gender-based violence in volatile and polarising times | Deakin Centre for Research for Educational Impact

The challenge

While awareness of gender-based violence has grown in Australia, this has occurred within an increasingly polarised gender landscape characterised by backlash narratives, online misogyny, and emotional disengagement, particularly among young men and gender-diverse youth. These dynamics risk undermining inclusive and effective gender justice efforts. This project addresses a gap in Australia’s efforts to prevent gender-based violence by investigating how young people interpret and respond to public discourse and initiatives aimed at addressing this violence.

Promoting inclusive methods to amplify the voices of young people, the project aims to promote equity and explore how to reduce the prevalence of gender-based violence to drive long-term cultural change towards a more equitable society.

Project overview

This project explores how young people (aged 18-34) interpret and respond to public and media discourse on gender-based violence, with a focus on the identity, relational, and contextual factors that shape their engagement with prevention initiatives. It tackles the problem of volatile and polarising gender-based violence narratives, which can alienate certain groups and overlook diverse perspectives. The project will generate actionable insights to enhance the effectiveness of gender-based violence prevention strategies, public campaigns, and educational programs.

The study employs a multi-methods qualitative design, consisting of three interconnected stages:

artefact engagements,
digital storytelling workshops
theory-building and practice.

Outcomes

This research centres young people’s voices and explores the factors shaping their engagement and disengagement, aiming to generate more inclusive and effective gender-based violence strategies. The research will contribute to more responsive and equitable gender-based violence prevention initiatives, helping to reduce violence and its associated social and economic costs. It will support the development of youth-informed, evidence-based policy and education strategies that engage rather than alienate young people, fostering a culture of respect and inclusion across communities and institutions.

The findings will be promoted beyond academia through a dedicated project website, youth-led social media campaign, policy briefs, educator resources, and partnerships with violence prevention organisations. This integrated knowledge translation strategy will ensure wide uptake and impact across policy, education, and community sectors.