From fragmentation to focus, May 21, 2025 marks a national first in domestic and family violence (DFV) prevention with the launch of The Hills Zero DFV Navbook – developed by Click Collab – a whole-of-community initiative that has brought together organisations, advocates, and frontline workers across The Hills, as well as dozens of participants who have never been involved in primary prevention.
Providing a clear pathway for how communities can work together to prevent DFV before it starts, the development of the Navbook is grounded in lived experience and local insight. “The key insight we uncovered during our early discovery phase, is that so much great prevention work is already happening – but much of it is invisible or disconnected,” said Kirrily Dear, co-founder of Click Collab. “The Navbook makes this work visible, measurable, and scalable. It’s a rallying point for anyone who wants to contribute to real change in their community.”
Over the past six months, Click Collab has led a community co-design process, informed by survivors, local police, educators, faith leaders, business groups, and members of the public. The result is a comprehensive guide containing local facts and stats, a shared vision, three priority goals, and a unified action framework. The Navbook is built to align with the NSW Government’s Pathways to Prevention strategy.
Critically, the Navbook addresses a long-standing barrier – the lack of coordination and facilitation that leads to unfortunate fragmentation and demobilisation. With Castle Hill RSL Group’s (CHRG) backing, the establishment of Click Collab, in addition to the development and implementation of The Hills Zero DFV Navbook, will be supported year-round by a dedicated community facilitator to drive momentum and collaboration across sectors.
Click Collab will also lead progress measurement and impact reporting, ensuring that efforts are learning-led, transparent, and positioned to attract further investment and scale.
“We all know that if we want a different outcome, we need to do things differently,” added Kerrie Edwards, Click Collab co-founder. “This solution draws on decades of cross-sector knowledge. It’s a pivot point for the prevention sector, and we believe it will significantly accelerate our path to Zero DFV.”
CHRG is proud to be making a transformational investment in community prevention. As one of the region’s most trusted community organisations, CHRG has not only funded the development of Click Collab and the Navbook but is now embedding the strategy into its operations, partnerships, and future investments.
“This is not a campaign. This is a commitment to community,” said Andy Abey, CHRG’s Group Chief Operating Officer. “We saw a problem with fragmentation and a lack of clarity around where best to invest resources. Now, with the Navbook in hand, we have a roadmap to help steer our support toward maximum impact.”
CHRG’s contributions and commitments include funding Click Collab and development of the Navbook, along with future support for a community facilitator; ClubGRANTS investment in respectful relationships education and counselling/support services, in line with identified priority goals; implementation of the “Recognise. Respond. Refer.” initiative, training all CHRG staff as first responders and expanding safe room access across venues; leading the way with strategic partnerships with police, councils, sporting clubs, business chambers and schools; and ongoing awareness and activation campaigns across CHRG venues and networks.
“I grew up in a home shaped by fear, violence and control. The scars of that time still sit with me – as a partner, as a mother, as a person. That’s why this work means so much. At CHRG, I’ve seen inspiring programs and people doing incredible things. But I could also see how fragmentation was holding us back. So, I took the idea to our Board – and I’m grateful they backed it with the largest grant in our history. The launch of the Navbook is more than just a milestone. It’s a turning point. A chance to do better for the next generation, and to help break the cycle, for good.”
As public frustration around DFV reaches a tipping point, community momentum is building, which is visible through national rallies, social media movements, and calls for urgent investment in prevention. The newly launched Navbook answers that call with a unified, grassroots-based strategy that any community can adopt.
“The Hills Domestic Violence Prevention Network represents a large network of local community organisations, service providers, institutions, the police and individuals to create a united front to address domestic violence in all its forms. For over 30 years, the Network has worked to raise awareness on domestic violence, abuse and coercive control through educational forums and community outreach campaigns across The Hills Shire. We are passionate about doing all we can to reduce the incidence of gender-based violence and recognise the importance of working collaboratively to be most effective. While our Network does some great work, it is still not able to achieve all that is required to bring about zero Domestic Family Violence so the HDVPN leadership team is very supportive of the new Click Collab project, which will seek to further unite all efforts across the region and eventually Australia. It will reduce duplication of efforts and offer avenues for greater collaboration which is driven by evidence-based practice. We look forward to seeing what can be achieved together,” commented Anita Fisher, Convenor, Hills Domestic Violence Prevention Network
The Hills Police and other local leaders have endorsed the Navbook’s pilot, and interest is growing across NSW for replication.
“A key priority for the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) and The Hills Police Area Command (PAC) is the prevention, disruption, and response to Domestic & Family Violence (DFV). DFV is not only a crime but also a serious community issue that demands a collaborative and coordinated response, leveraging expertise and resources to foster positive change for individuals and the broader community. As the Commander, I am constantly seeking opportunities to harness our strong community relationships to create a safer Hills district. I wholeheartedly support the Click Collab pilot as a valuable opportunity to collaborate with other passionate stakeholders, achieving tangible outcomes and significant improvements in addressing DFV within The Hills,” Superintendent Naomi Moore, The Hills PAC, said.
Community members, businesses and organisations are encouraged to get involved by: · Exploring the Navbook and registering for updates or pilot implementation by ‘clicking-in’ at clickcollab.co
- Using the hashtags #ZeroDFV and #ClickCollab to amplify the message
- Hosting local events, displaying posters, or joining staff training efforts
“Prevention is not about waiting until harm is done,” said Kirrily Dear. “It’s about doing the work now, together, to build homes and communities free from violence.”
