A new research centre is targeting the elimination of violence against women.

Monash University has launched the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW), the first research facility worldwide to tackle all forms of violence against women. 

Officially inaugurated this week by Assistant Minister for Women, Kate Thwaites, the Centre is set to advance understanding and solutions for gender-based violence across Australia and the Indo-Pacific region.  

The Centre was established with a $35 million investment from the ARC, and its work will span seven years, engaging researchers, policymakers, and community leaders in groundbreaking interdisciplinary studies.  

In her address, Minister Thwaites described violence against women as “our national shame”, stating that the prevalence of such violence continues to frustrate and exhaust survivors and their supporters. 

“We owe it to all of these women to support them… This Centre is a world first in addressing the full range of violence against women, both in Australia and across the Indo-Pacific region,” she said. 

CEVAW aims to close significant knowledge gaps about the structural causes of violence against women, which Professor Jacqui True, the Centre’s Director, describes as a critical barrier to achieving progress.

“Systems and structures are failing women. But we don’t have the knowledge base to inform policymakers and advocates who can drive the systems-change to eliminate violence against women,” Professor True said.  

The Centre employs an threefold strategy, including Indigenous-centred frameworks to empower First Nations women and adopt community-led approaches to solutions.  

The second aspect is a system of interdisciplinary research to combine insights from law, psychology, public health, sociology, and economics to drive evidence-based policies.  

Finally, it will partner with regional organisations to create scalable and culturally informed solutions across the Indo-Pacific region.  

The Centre unites 13 Chief Investigators from six Australian universities alongside 45 national and international partners, ensuring its research is grounded in diverse perspectives. 

CEVAW's headquarters at Monash University serves as a hub for this collaborative effort.  

Monash University Vice-Chancellor Sharon Pickering says the institution is committed to leading transformative research that incorporates survivor-centric and Indigenous methodologies.  

“By bringing together researchers and practitioners across the region, CEVAW will empower frontline responders and communities to adopt evidence-based approaches that ensure women’s safety,” she said.  

The Centre’s work will extend to addressing violence in various settings, including homes, workplaces, and online platforms, while highlighting the unique experiences of marginalised groups, such as First Nations, refugee, and disabled women.  

CEVAW complements the Australian Government’s broader agenda to end gender-based violence, including the ten-year National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has prioritised this issue at recent National Cabinet meetings, resulting in a $4.7 billion package for prevention, support services, and systemic change initiatives.  

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