A new program, STAND, delivered in partnership by Centre Against Violence and the Rural City of Wangaratta, with support from the Victorian government's Free from Violence Program, aims to give individual community members the confidence to make a stand when another person is being disrespected or threatened.

The STAND community event focuses on building confidence and learning strategies to prevent harmful behaviours, support others, and strengthen community safety.

It is a space for reflection, conversation, and collaboration, designed to leave you with realistic strategies you can use every day to help create a safer, more connected community.

For Allison Winters, the STAND program is needed now more than ever before.

"Even with the amount of work that has happened over the last couple of centuries for equality and justice, we need this training within our communities so people feel empowered to do the right thing," Allison said.

"My pronouns are they/them.

"I am the executive officer at LINE Wangaratta and a councillor for the Rural City of Wangaratta.

"For me, respect means celebrating diversity.

"Everyone is different, everyone has different needs, and we should be celebrating the difference in our community.

"Safety is not something that one organisation can achieve on its own.

"Safety needs a partnership approach, with many organisations working together.

"When we do, we can achieve so much more than when we are working alone."

So often, Allison said, when someone is advocating for someone else, it can feel isolated.

"It can feel lonely to be the only person speaking up," they said.

"The advice I always give is this: when someone is brave enough to speak, stand with them.

"Add your voice, let them know they are not alone.

"That kind of solidarity makes all the difference.”

There will be two community information sessions to choose from, Monday, 1 December from 6pm to 8pm, or Wednesday, 3 December from noon to 2pm at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

The free, interactive two-hour workshops are open to everyone in the community.

They go beyond theory, offering hands-on learning, real examples, and practical tools.

They will explore why noticing and responding matters, how to recognise early signs of harmful behaviour, and how to “call out” or “call in” in safe and respectful ways.

Registrations are essential and close on Friday, 28 November 2025.

To secure your place or learn more, visit https://events.humanitix.com/stand.