The Andrews Labor Government is helping reduce family violence in Aboriginal communities by doubling its investment in Aboriginal community-led family violence projects.
Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos today announced an ongoing funding boost of $450,000 per year to the Victorian Aboriginal Community Initiatives Fund to ensure Aboriginal Victorians lead change in preventing and addressing family violence.
It’s the first increase since 2006 and takes their annual funding allocation to $1.1 million a year.
A further $480,000 each year will be provided to the 11 Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Groups across Victoria that also help drive Aboriginal community-led responses, as well as supporting leadership development, culturally appropriate counselling and health and wellbeing support for their members.
These initiatives acknowledge that solutions to family violence within Aboriginal communities must have Aboriginal led approaches.
The increase to funding also demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to Aboriginal self-determination.
Submissions for the Aboriginal Community Initiatives Fund 2018/19 will close on Friday, 9 November, 2018.
Successful applicants will use the funding to launch culturally appropriate, place-based projects in Aboriginal communities that reduce family violence through prevention and education.
Successful applicants will be funded to deliver projects from January to December 2019.
Since November 2014, the Aboriginal Community Initiatives Fund has supported more than 157 projects that prevent, reduce and respond to Aboriginal family violence across the state.
For more information or to make a submission, visit dhhs.vic.gov.au/Victorian-aboriginal-community-initiatives-fund.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“The impact of family violence can be felt by children, families and the community long after it has happened – action must be taken to end it wherever it occurs.”
“We are delivering on projects that reduce, respond to and prevent family violence across Victoria.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins
“We are continuing to support locally led projects because Aboriginal Victorians know what’s best for their community and what will deliver the best outcomes when it comes to preventing family violence.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020