5 May 2026

No to Violence said that today’s Victorian Budget represents a serious failure of leadership, delivering no meaningful investment in preventing men’s violence and – ten years on from the Royal Commission into Family Violence- no plan for what comes next.

No to Violence said that the Victorian Government has acknowledged the issue of men’s use of violence by appointing a Minister for Men and Boys, alongside the elevation of the Violence Reduction portfolio, but today’s Budget gives them nothing to work with.

“We now have a Minister for Men and Boys and an elevation of the Violence Reduction portfolio, but no increased investment and no plan to guide the next phase of reform,” No to Violence CEO Phillip Ripper said.

“Ten years on from the Royal Commission, Victorians expect that the problem has been dealt with. It hasn’t. Victoria is still carrying the burden, while successive federal governments have failed to fund the initiatives needed to stop violence before it starts,” Mr Ripper said.

No to Violence said that Budget continues to fund piecemeal crisis responses. The Budget fails to stop family violence at its source, despite clear evidence that violence is patterned, progressive and predictable and can be stopped before it escalates.

More than 1.1 million, or roughly one in three Victorian men are estimated to use violence over their lifetime. A significant proportion of violence is never reported, yet the available data already reveals an overwhelming level of harm.  Victoria Police responded to more than 106,000 perpetrators last year, 80 per cent of them repeat users of family violence.

“Year after year, we respond to violence once it reaches crisis point, while doing far too little to stop it from starting,” Mr Ripper said.

“That is not a strategy. It is a vacuum.”

“Any investment that strengthens safety for victim-survivors is important, and we welcome progress where it occurs,” Mr Ripper said.

But No to Violence said the Budget does not:

• Expand early intervention responses to stop violence at its source
• Address critical service and workforce gaps
• Ensure people can get the help and support they need
• Deliver a coordinated, whole-of-government response

With Victoria heading into an election year, No to Violence said the absence of a clear plan and investment in prevention should be a central issue for voters and policymakers.

“In an election year, the question for all parties is simple: will you invest in stopping violence, or keep paying for its consequences?”

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Media Contact: Jo Nilsson
Media & Advocacy Advisor, No to Violence
communications@ntv.org.au | 0455666492

About No to Violence   

No to Violence is the Australian peak body for organisations and individuals committed to ending men’s use of family violence.  We support specialist men’s family violence services and operate the national Men’s Referral Service, a 24/7 telephone and online counselling and referral service to link men to the support they need to get on a pathway of change and end their use of family violence.  We undertake research, training and advocacy and work with governments, employers and business to stop family violence at the source. 

Please list the Men’s Referral Service with all Domestic, Sexual and Family Violence stories: The Men’s Referral Service provides counselling and referrals for men who are concerned about their behaviour: 1300 766 491 

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