Backing grassroots innovation to prevent violence
In 2024–2025, we sat down with victim-survivors, community leaders and service providers across the country to understand where we could make the most meaningful impact. One thing became clear: the prevention of violence is complex and needs a whole-of-community response with people tackling it in creative, innovative ways.
There are plenty of people with creative ideas to prevent violence, often informed by lived experience and connection to their community. While grassroots leaders are best placed to create lasting change, they remain overlooked and starved of support. What's missing is the support needed to get them off the ground. That's where we come in. We ran a pilot program in 2025, supporting 4 impact innovators over 8 months. We learned a lot; but especially, how complex these challenges can be. To help create lasting change, we decided to deepen our support and walk alongside innovators for longer.
Polished Innovators is a 3-year program connecting local leaders to the community, knowledge and capital they need to build, test and scale solutions that break cycles of harm.
Applications for the next cohort open late 2026 — register your interest to stay in the loop.
Meet the 2025 Polished Innovators
Jaara Moran | Yelamyan-ity (To Walk Tomorrow) - Supporting Aboriginal men to reclaim strength, heal, and end family violence.
Jaara is a proud Yorta Yorta, Taunurung, D(T)ungutti man delivering a culturally grounded men’s behaviour change program, equipping Aboriginal men with the relevant tools and support they need to heal, and end family violence.
I’m honoured and excited to embark on this venture to help strengthen our community. The Polished Innovators Accelerator offers a clear framework to develop my idea — so I’m not figuring it out alone. It also opens the door to valuable networks that will help me build a solid foundation for this initiative. The need is significant, and I understand what our community is yearning for. I want to be in a position to offer meaningful support at scale.
Jacob Gooden | Sayfe - Empowering survivors to safely disclose sexual and gendered violence.
As a former VIC Police detective specialising in gendered violence, Jacob is passionate about providing survivors of sexual violence an anonymous pathway to accessing support services, leading to stronger engagement and recovery outcomes.
I'm genuinely excited and grateful to be joining the Polished Innovators program. We have full confidence in the strength and necessity of our solutions, but we also know that solving systemic problems takes community. Tapping into this network of mentors, peers and change-makers will help us sharpen our impact and get SAYFE solutions, namely Sayfe Disclose, into the hands of those who need it most. We’re ready to listen, learn, act and grow.
Mikhara Ramsing + Cameron Cliff | Capyble - Transforming workplaces into the frontline of DFV prevention.
Mikhara and Cameron pooled their expertise across social enterprise and edtech to help workplaces understand DFV as a safety issue and give them survivor-informed, practical tools to respond, so employees affected by DFV will feel safer to disclose and seek help.
Joining Polished Innovators is such an exciting and impactful opportunity for Capyble. We are fuelled by the prospect of collaborating with fellow changemakers, leveraging incredible resources, and strengthening our networks to amplify our impact. This program will enhance our mission to transform workplaces into safer, more equitable environments globally, driving meaningful change in communities worldwide.
Sarah Williams | What Were You Wearing (WWYW) - Driving initiatives by marginalised young people, to end sexual violence.
A proud Awabakal woman, Sarah has built a community of over 420,000 followers supporting marginalised young people to drive prevention efforts, leading to more inclusive initiatives, and a safer society for all.
I’m feeling incredibly grateful and excited to be joining Polished Innovators. As a young woman, opportunities like this to grow as a leader in the social impact space are rare. This program will help me strengthen my leadership, scale our work, and deepen the impact we’re having in our communities.
Stay In The Loop
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