There is evidence that the COVID-19 lockdown has seen a disturbing increase in violence against women. A Monash University study Responding to the Shadow Pandemic reveals the concerns that the pandemic has led to an increase in the frequency and severity of violence against women alongside an increase in the complexity of women’s needs, including the emergence of new forms of intimate partner violence relating to social isolation.

What is community sports response to this? As community sport starts to resume what role can a local club or association play in preventing violence against women?

In Think Tank 7 Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly will discuss sports role in preventing violence against women in a post COVID-19 world. Our Watch is a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia. Patty Kinnersly is currently Non-executive Director and Vice President of Ballarat Health Services, Non-executive Director the Australian Women’s Health Network National Board and a Director of Carlton Football Club.