News

Margins to the Mainstream: preventing violence against women with disabilities is a unique, evidence-based project to prevent violence against women with disabilities. It is an exemplar of intersectional primary prevention that has been tested, refined and evaluated. The model is ready for state-wide expansion to drive long-term, sustainable change towards equality and safety for women with disabilities across Victoria.

The Women’s Health Service network is calling on the Victorian Government to expand funding for the state-wide expansion of this proven program.

The online launch of Margins to Mainstream: Preventing violence against women with disabilities (M2M) and the Women’s Health Service Network’s bid for investment in the 2025-26 Victorian state budget will be held 11am – 12pm on 25 November 2024.

Register here.

For more information visit Women’s Health Services Network website or email health@whe.org.au.

Summary report. Margins to the Mainstream: an innovative and proven project to prevent violence against women with disabilities: Summary report summarises the project and findings (including findings from the 2022-2024 evaluation report).

Full evaluation report. Margins to the Mainstream: preventing violence against women with disabilities project, Impact and Outcomes Evaluation Report (1 January 2023 – 30 June 2024) is the second and final evaluation report.

Project Evaluation and Learning

Two evaluations have been undertaken of the Margins to the Mainstream Project, over its four year duration from 2020 to end June 2024 and one summary report.

The Summary Report, Margins to the Mainstream: an innovative and proven project to prevent violence against women with disabilities, summarises Margins to the Mainstream project and the findings, with particular focus on the 2022-2024 Evaluation Report.

The most recent evaluation covered the period 1 January 2023 – 30 June 2024. This evaluation focuses on the impact and outcomes of Margins to the Mainstream over the last 18-months of the project’s implementation. The report sets out a quantitative analysis of the findings, supplemented by qualitative data, to draw conclusions, reflect on the value of the project to different groups of stakeholders, and present recommendations arising from this stage of the project.

Margins to the Mainstream: preventing violence against women with disabilities project, Impact and Outcomes Evaluation Report (1 January 2023 – 30 June 2024)

(Download 2024 evaluation report PDF)

Summary report. Margins to the Mainstream: an innovative and proven project to prevent violence against women with disabilities: Summary report.

(Download 2024 summary report PDF)

The first evaluation of the Margins to the Mainstream Project covered the period from its commencement in 2020 to end June 2022. Data collection and analysis was undertaken concurrently with project implementation over the period of the initial project funding, to end June 2022.

Two reports are available from this evaluation:

Margins to the Mainstream: preventing violence against women with disabilities project 2020- 2022 Evaluation Report

(Download 2022 detailed evaluation report PDF)

Margins to the Mainstream: preventing violence against women with disabilities project 2020-2022 Executive Summary Evaluation Report

(Download 2022 summary evaluation report PDF)

Key messages for equality for women with disabilities

The project Experts developed a set of 16 messages to prevent violence against women with disabilities by addressing sexism and ableism in relationships, families and social networks, workplaces, and in the services, programs and primary prevention work undertaken by organisations across all settings.

Access the resources here.

Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…when discrimination and violence are prevented, as sexism and ableism should never be accepted, justified or excused.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…having allies who work alongside women with disabilities to take action against sexism and ableism.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…family violence prevention, response and recovery services that are accessible for me and my children.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…having allies who challenge sexist and ableist behaviour.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…asking us to dance, not just inviting us to the party. We are not limited by gender and disability stereotypes!
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…when everyone takes action to protect the human rights of women with disabilities.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…when gender and disability stereotypes do not limit who we can be or what we can do.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…organisations valuing our lived expertise in co-design, consultation and advisory roles.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…access to employment with equal rights, pay, conditions and opportunities for all women with disabilities.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…making my own choices about sexuality and my reproductive health.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…living free from violence, abuse and discrimination
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…the right to make my own choices and decisions.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…choosing my own romantic partners, and enjoying equal and respectful relationships, irrespective of gender and disability.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…enjoying the same human rights as everyone else, irrespective of gender and disability.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…valuing our differences and abilities – disability is part of human diversity.
Women with disabilities say: Equality is…
…enjoying equal and respectful relationships, irrespective of gender and disability