The Carlton Football Club is proud to announce that its community initiative Carlton Respects has partnered with response and recovery organisations Safe Steps and You Matter in the commitment to end family violence.
On the back of the significant fundraising that took place last year, the Club is proud to contribute to both organisations who do incredible work to support domestic violence victims.
The announcement comes ahead of Saturday’s AFL Carlton Respects Game.
Whilst Carlton Respects will continue to focus on prevention through education via the Road to Respect school program, the Club now has the opportunity to extend its reach and commitment to giving back to the community through response and recovery assistance for women and children currently in need, that are unfortunately impacted by family and domestic violence.
Safe Steps is Victoria's only 24/7 family violence response service. In 2025, the Club will utilise $43,000 as part of its 2024 fundraising to provide support for crisis accommodation for 122 women and children.
You Matter supports women and children who have experienced family violence by supplying and setting up the contents of their long-term accommodation. Carlton will provide funding for six You Matter Havens ($43,000) in 2025 for women and their children in recovery from domestic and family violence. This will include moving to longer-term accommodation, with tailored furnishing, bedding and appliances, creating a safe and tailored space for them.
On average, one woman every four days is killed by violence, with two in five women having experienced physical violence from the age of 15.
In 2025 the fundraising split will be applied as follows: 70 per cent for prevention (Road to Respect school program), 20 per cent for response and recovery partnerships, and 10 per cent program innovation.
Carlton CEO Brian Cook said the Carlton Football Club was grateful to all who have generously donated, which has greatly assisted the Club’s fundraising efforts to partner with these two industry-leading organisations.
“As a Club, it is a privilege to be able to partner with Safe Steps and You Matter in 2025 and beyond, who are doing such significant work in the response and recovery space,” Cook said.
“Last year we were able to raise an incredible amount for Carlton Respects, thanks to the incredible support of our Carlton family and the greater community, so to be able to distribute a portion of these funds to these incredible organisations is fantastic.
“At Carlton, we believe the only acceptable rate of violence against women is zero, as we strive to be a leader in the industry and an ally to the sector. By providing this level of support, the Club will be able to expand on its ability to help those in the community and enhance its fundraising efforts to help more women and children, particularly those in immediate need.
“I also want to thank our members, supporters and corporate partners for their incredible generosity not only last year but since launching Carlton Respects in 2016. Your support goes a long way, as we strive for respect and equality for a future free from violence.”
CEO of Safe Steps Dr Chelsea Tobin said:
"Each year, Safe Steps handles around 130,000 calls and web chats from Victorians seeking advice and support to escape family and domestic violence. We also provide over 33,000 nights of secure crisis accommodation for adults and children every year.
"Despite significant progress in recent years, prevalence of family and domestic violence continues to increase - calls for our services are relentless and growing. A whole-of-community response is needed. It is everyone's business and everyone's responsibility.
"We deeply value our continuing partnership with Carlton Respects, which raises funds that support The Sanctuary Model, Safe Steps' innovative crisis accommodation approach which provides safe, secure and face-to-face onsite services to help victim-survivors heal from their trauma and rebuild their lives."
CEO of You Matter, Deborah de Rossi added:
“At You Matter, we believe that a safe and welcoming home is the foundation for recovery for women and children impacted by family violence. This partnership with Carlton Respects will help us continue to provide dignity, comfort and security to families as they rebuild their lives.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Carlton Football Club and its supporters for recognising the power of a fully furnished home to restore hope and independence.”
Established in 2016, Carlton Respects is the Club’s flagship community initiative which aims to utilise the power of footy to enhance awareness, funds and action for gender equality for the prevention of violence against women.
This Saturday, Carlton will take on Melbourne at the MCG, with the players wearing orange socks and dedicated guernsey that celebrates all the schools that participated in the Road to Respect schools program in 2024.
For more information or to donate to Carlton Respects, visit here.
