$13.5 Million to Reduce Violence against Indigenous Women and Children

Joint Media Release

The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP

Minister for Indigenous Australians

Member for Hasluck

Senator the Hon Anne Ruston

Minister for Families and Social Services

Minister for Women's Safety

Senator for South Australia

Nine service providers across Australia have received a share of $13.5 million for targeted community-led programs to reduce violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children.

This funding is part of the Morrison Government’s $35.3 million investment for Indigenous-specific measures under the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said each of these measures were driven by the experiences and expertise of local Indigenous communities.

“Breaking the cycle of violence requires community-driven approaches that prioritise cultural healing and family restoration,” Minister Wyatt said.

“Putting Indigenous experience at the heart of our efforts is absolutely crucial to reducing violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.

“Six of the nine service providers receiving funding are Indigenous organisations, and all programs have been co-designed on the ground, with local communities.”

Minister for Women’s Safety, Senator Anne Ruston, said under the Fourth Action Plan the Government has made significant commitments to reduce family violence and address the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children.

“The Indigenous-specific measures under the Fourth Action Plan are so important in driving meaningful change to address the structural drivers of family violence, including discrimination, racism and intergenerational trauma,” Minister Ruston said.

“The Morrison Government is proud to support these locally-led efforts to reduce violence against women and children right across the country.”

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) worked with the nine service providers to co-design the service responses over the last year. The Morrison Government will continue to partner with the providers to support delivery of the programs across 43 remote and regional service locations.

The Mackay and Region Aboriginal and Islander Development Association (Marabisda) is one of the successful service providers.

Manager of Marabisda, Adrienne Barnett, said: “we feel that as a community we need to be at the forefront of design and development of programs that benefit our community.

“We are pleased to be working collaboratively with NIAA in the co-design of our two programs, Respect and Responsibility supporting men’s healthy relationships and Weaving Stories, our women’s journey of healing program”.

The service providers are located in high need communities, including Kununurra (Western Australia); Port Augusta and Ceduna (South Australia); Nhulunbuy and surrounding areas (Northern Territory); Darwin (Northern Territory); Katherine (Northern Territory); Townsville (Queensland); and Mackay (Queensland).

For more information on the Fourth Action Plan, visit https://www.dss.gov.au/women-publications-articles-reducing-violence/fourth-action-plan

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au

A 24-hour crisis hotline is also available to Aboriginal men seeking support – call Brother to Brother on 1800 435 799.