Aboriginal voices speak up to help end domestic violence

Last published on 18 Feb 2020 

The experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women will help inform the NSW Government’s efforts to prevent and respond to the scourge of domestic and family violence.

Attorney General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Mark Speakman will hear directly from community members at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Domestic and Family Violence Forum at Parliament House in Sydney today.

“The forum is the first of its kind in NSW and provides a vital and unique opportunity for women to have their voices heard,” Mr Speakman said.

“We will be listening carefully to what the community, domestic violence experts, academics and legal professionals have to say about domestic and family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait families and what we can do collectively to respond.”

Hosted in partnership with Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW), the event aims to help shape government policy on domestic and family violence and to address the disproportionate impact on First Nations peoples.

“This forum is an important step for the Government to meet with Aboriginal women as equals, and to collaborate on the design and response to family and domestic violence in our communities,” said Dixie Link Gordon, representing the DVNSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Women’s Steering Committee.

“We welcome the opportunity to be part of a renewed direction to advance policy and practice responses to Aboriginal women and children experiencing violence. It’s time to close this gap,” said DVNSW CEO Joanne Yates.

The forum also coincides with the Ochre Ribbon Campaign, an initiative by the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Service, designed to raise awareness of the devastating impacts of family violence on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The NSW Government is investing a record $431 million over four years responding to domestic and family violence to support frontline services and hold perpetrators to account.

For confidential advice, support and referral related to domestic and family violence, contact: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), The NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63) or Men's Referral Service (1300 766 491).

Download media release: Aboriginal voices speak up to help end domestic violence (PDF , 155.2 KB)