No to Violence

Corporate and Public Affairs / Government / Issues Management / Media Relations / PR Strategy and Campaigns

Project: Advocacy, Communications and Media

 

Challenge

In 2018, No to Violence, the peak body for organisations and individuals working with men to end family violence, engaged Truth to help develop their narrative and advocacy strategy ahead of the Victorian state election.

 

Demand for No to Violence services was growing, but the organisation had a low media profile, its grant income was just over $2 million and there was a competitive funding environment.

 

Ahead of looming Victorian, NSW and federal elections, No to Violence needed a plan to engage bi-partisan support for improved funding and strengthen its voice in the national conversation

around family violence.

Solution

Truth’s initial approach included the development of a new narrative and key messaging, a strategic framework around communications, advocacy and engagement, and a No to Violence ‘Listening Tour’ of Victoria – inviting local MPs and key stakeholders in strategic locations to workshops about the issue of men’s use of violence.

 

This engagement led to a successful five-year relationship, during which time Truth backfilled NTV communications roles, developed and executed advocacy and communications strategies, managed communications and social media channels, compiled monthly reporting for the management team, Board and government, developed and executed a strategic approach to raise awareness of the Men’s Referral Service with media outlets and developed a comprehensive 2022 Federal Election campaign.

Outcomes

During Truth’s five-years working with No to Violence:

 

  • Developed a strong thought leadership position within the sector, with high visibility and share of voice in major sectoral and policy conversations.
  • CEO Jacqui Watt became a ‘go-to’ voice in the family violence space, appearing regularly in the media.
  • Truth achieved media coverage across almost all of Australia’s major media outlets.
  • CEO Jacqui Watt was invited to major political summits, inquiries and events. She was a keynote speaker at the 2021 National Women’s Summit, she was invited to address the 2023 Senate inquiry into current and proposed sexual consent laws and she was one of a select few Victorian CEOs invited to advise Federal Minister for Families and Social Services of Australia, Amanda Rishworth, about federal family violence reforms.
  • NTV saw funding income grow from $2 million to $12 million in 2021 and – importantly – the number of calls to the Men’s Referral Service helpline reached record levels.