The Andrews Labor Government is investing in dozens of new projects to help Aboriginal people tackle family violence in their communities.
Forty five new projects will begin this month to help prevent, reduce and respond to family violence in Aboriginal communities across Victoria.
The $650,000 investment in community based projects was recommended by 11 Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Groups located across the state, and will be allocated to aboriginal community controlled organisations who have designed their own projects to meet their community’s needs.
The groups identified priority areas for funding in their communities include:
- Supporting young Aboriginal women and children in Mildura to connect to culture and heal through traditional dance, language and storytelling
- Empowering local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men from the Warrnambool area to mentor young men at risk of perpetrating by sharing information about family violence in a safe supportive space and participating in cultural activities together.
These projects will be delivered by 36 Community Service Organisations, as part of the Labor Government’s 2017/18 Indigenous Family Violence Strategy Community Initiatives Fund.
The Government is implementing all 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and delivering a 10-year plan to end family violence for all Victorians, including Aboriginal children and families.
The plan includes working in partnership with Aboriginal communities, increased funding for Aboriginal Child Specialist Advice and Support Services, and the establishment of a network of Support and Safety Hubs across Victoria.
The launch of these projects coincides with the Victoria Against Violence campaign, which is a key part of the UN’s orange-themed UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign from 25 November to 10 December, International Human Rights Day.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“Breaking the cycle of Aboriginal family violence must involve local responses led by Aboriginal communities.”
“Aboriginal people are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing family violence and less likely to report it, which is why these projects are so important.”
“Addressing family violence is everyone’s responsibility and these projects will help create a safer Victoria for all Aboriginal children and families.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020