After guiding our organisation through a significant period in its history, No to Violence CEO Jacqui Watt has decided to step down later this year.

Over her eight years as CEO, Jacqui has made an extraordinary contribution to No to Violence. Under her watch, the organisation has grown from a team of 20 in Melbourne to more than 90 staff across five states. Government funding for No to Violence has grown from less than $2 million to more than $12 million. And the number of men calling the Men’s Referral Service seeking support for their violence behaviour grew to more than 7,600 incoming last year.

At the same time, No to Violence has expanded police referrals into NSW and Tasmania and seen the evolution of innovations like the Family Advocacy & Support Service, the Men’s Accommodation & Counselling Service, and the Brief Intervention Service. This work has engaged thousands of men to change their behaviour and enabled thousands of women and children to be safer.

Jacqui’s impact on the family and domestic violence sector more broadly has been remarkable, leading to growing understanding that the only way to stop family and domestic violence is to stop men’s use of violence.

The No to Violence Board expresses its deep gratitude to Jacqui for her eight years of dedicated leadership that has left the organisation with broad and deep capability, a track record of impact, and trusted relationships with partners, the community, and the members it serves.

Jacqui will finish on September 1, 2023, with the extended notice ensuring a smooth transition to an incoming CEO. The Board has now commenced a rigorous search for a visionary leader ready to build upon the organisation’s strong foundation and lead the next chapter for No to Violence.