Port Adelaide is set to commemorate 10 years of its ‘Power to End Violence Against Women’ (PTEVAW) program this weekend during the club’s Round 14 clash against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval.  

To mark the milestone and to generate meaningful conversation, a badge will be placed on nine of the 23 selected Port Adelaide player’s guernseys to symbolise the two in five women who are subject to violent behaviour since the age of 15. 

The design features five circles, two coloured orange with the remaining three in teal, and is located on the front lower left-hand side of the traditional home strip.  

The significance of the orange stems from The United Nations’ official colour for its global campaign to end violence against women and symbolises a brighter future free from violence.

PTEVAW is a primary prevention program run by the Power’s charity arm, Power Community Limited (PCL), in partnership with Centacare Catholic Community Services and the Government of South Australia.  

Across the last decade the program has engaged more than 17,000 young men and utilises the club’s AFL players to discuss the importance of respectful relationships and gender equality with Year 10 male students across the state. 

The curriculum is designed to arm young men with the tools they need to understand respectful relationships and gender equality, while also challenging entrenched attitudes that can contribute to gender based violence. 

Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee reflected on his role in driving change, the power of words, and the importance of change for the future.  

“Change needs to start with us, as players, as leaders, as friends, and family. If we don't call out bad behaviour, then no one will, and nothing will change.  

“We are role models in our community as footballers, and certainly as leaders. It's important to lead by example in our own lives and surrounding ourselves with people that do the same, because that drives a culture of treating people with respect. 

“The power of words is something that's especially important to shine a light on. We sometimes think that off the cuff, small comments are not a big issue, but these are the starting blocks for where big issues stem from. It's vitally important that we call this out in the moment. 

“As a leader and someone that's a role model for younger people, I think it's important for myself personally, but also for those that are close to me, to stand up when I hear things. 

“Domestic violence isn't okay in any circumstance, and I'd like the younger generation, especially my children, to grow up in a world where that doesn't exist at all. It's no longer good enough to accept that it's something in our society.”  

Rozee also reiterated the importance of surrounding yourself with others who are likeminded and are confident enough to call out inappropriate behaviour – a message he’s passionate about sharing to young men. 

“The type of man that I was brought up as, and I would like to be for my children, is someone that advocates for women. We're all equal as human beings. It doesn't matter what gender you are,” he said. 

“The type of mates that I tend to surround myself with, and I would like to be seen as a similar person to them, are the type of people that are confident enough to stand up for people that aren't confident enough to stand up for themselves, whether that's other men, but specifically women. 

“Being able to surround myself with likeminded people helps drives change and creates a space of kindness and safety for women.  

“I would like to portray that to the rest of the community that you don't have to be a leader or someone in a powerful position to be a role model”.  

General Manager of PCL Jake Battifuoco said the program reflects the club’s commitment to ending the crisis that affects far too many lives in Australia.  

“Using the club’s platform and the power of sport to raise awareness of this crisis is so important. It’s an opportunity to bring awareness to one of the most pressing issues facing our society being gender-based violence,” Mr Battifuoco said.  

“Through our Power to End Violence Against Women program, we stand firmly committed to ending this crisis that affects far too many lives. 

“On average, one woman is killed every nine days at the hands of a current or former partner, and two in five women have experienced violence since the age of fifteen.  

“These are not just numbers, it represents mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. The statistics paint a picture of the reality we face in Australia.  

“Our program looks to engage young men at a critical age and provide them with the tools to understand what constitutes a healthy and unhealthy relationship, to ultimately stop violence before it starts. 

“Using our players’ voices and leveraging our brand is a proven method of engagement to inspire change, and we’re proud that we’ve been playing an active role in this space for a decade, while also acknowledging there's more to be done.” 

Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Katrine Hildyard commended Port Adelaide and PCL for shining a light on the issue. 

“I commend the Port Adelaide Football Club for shining a light on domestic, family and sexual violence through this weekend’s first Power to End Violence Against Women feature round with support from the Office for Women,” Minister Hildyard said. 

“We know that in Australia, one in four women has experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner and that tragically one woman is killed every four days. 

“These figures are alarming and deeply unacceptable, and they are a call to action. Women should never have to live in fear of violence.  As a state government, we are wholly committed to tackling gender inequality, disrespect and violence toward women and to supporting and empowering survivors. 

“But we can’t do it alone. Ending violence against women will require collaborative and sustained effort across all sectors with everyone playing their part.  I thank Port Adelaide for playing their part and for its ongoing dedication to education programs around respectful relationships and the drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence.” 

To learn more about the club’s respectful relationships programs, please click here.