Dr Melanie Heenan

DIRECTOR, VICTORIA

Melanie Heenan is the Deputy Secretary of Family Safety Victoria in the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. Prior to this, Melanie held the position of Executive Director of Victim Services, Support, and Reform in the Department of Justice and Community Safety from 2018 to 2023.

In the past, Melanie served as the Executive Director of Court Network, a non for profit organisation dedicated to supporting people to navigate the court system. She has also played a lead role in pioneering primary prevention initiatives in collaboration with local councils, sporting clubs, workplaces, and schools to address the underlying causes of gender-based violence.

In 2006, Melanie served as the inaugural manager of the Respect and Responsibility program at the Australian Football League. In this national capacity she spearheaded the strategy to create safe, supportive, and inclusive environments for women and girls within the football industry.

Melanie was also an original member of the Prime Minister’s National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children that produced Time For Action: The National Council’s Plan for Australia to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children, 2009-2021.

Melanie holds a PhD in Sociology from Monash University.