Carlton Respects aims to be a leader in the sport industry, an ally to the sector and to play a role in striving for gender equality for the prevention of violence against women. We want to stop violence before it starts.

Established in 2016, Carlton Respects is one of the Carlton Football Club’s flagship community initiatives, promoting gender equality for the prevention of violence against women. With support from Our Watch, the initiative was developed in response to the alarming statistics around family and domestic violence in Australia. Carlton Respects consists of the Road to Respect schools program, Workplace Charter and AFL/AFLW awareness-raising campaigns. 

The club achieves these objectives through the following initiatives:

1. Road to Respect - Road to Respect is a free, digital-learning platform and face-to-face program for primary school students in Grades 3 to 6. The program includes relatable and easy-to-follow tools and information to help students challenge pre-existing gender stereotypes and create positive, equal and respectful relations among young people. The program aims to reach 27,000 students by 2027 and funding will supporting the continual growth and improvement of the program.
2. Workplace Charter - The Workplace Charter provides a framework of actions, tools, experiences and expertise to the Australian business community encouraging them to take action to foster gender equality and contribute to the prevention of sexual harassment and violence against women. It is our responsibility to stand as one and drive genuine behavioural and systematic change.
3. Awareness Raising - As an elite sports club, we have the responsibility and opportunity to make a positive impact on society. Carlton Respects awareness raising campaigns utilise the Club’s platform and reach to spread the message of gender equality for the prevention of violence against women. Every year, one Carlton home game in the AFL and AFLW fixture is dedicated to Carlton Respects to Raise awareness about the importance of gender equality in helping prevent violence against women and promote the Road to Respect school program and the positive impact education can have in creating a safer future.