Aboriginal Victorians at risk of family violence will receive better and more culturally appropriate support, under funding announced by the Andrews Labor Government today.
The funding forms part of the Labor Government's response to the Royal Commission into Family Violence, with $25.7 million in the 2016/17 Victorian Budget to go towards new prevention and early intervention programs, and ensuring Aboriginal children and families facing family violence have the support they need.
Importantly, the reform will be community-led and be developed in partnership with Aboriginal people.
Funding will ensure:
- Community-led early intervention and prevention initiatives are delivered.
- Work will begin on the development of a new holistic healing model for Aboriginal people facing family violence, developed in partnership with the Aboriginal community.
- All Aboriginal children in out-of-home care have a cultural support plans. There will also be increased capacity and additional recruitment of Aboriginal kinship and foster carers. This initiative is part of the Roadmap for Reform: strong families, safe children, which the Labor Government released today.
- Additional assistance for Aboriginal people to become accredited mediators and conflict resolution workers.
The funding helps meets Recommendations 145 and 146 of the Commission, which advise a continued partnership with Aboriginal communities and adequate funding to Aboriginal community controlled organisations are required.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins
“The Royal Commission recommended that a dedicated approach to addressing the family violence faced by Aboriginal women and children was needed and that is what we are delivering."
"We committed to meeting all of the Commission's recommendations, and today is the first step towards ensuring we have a comprehensive and culturally responsive plan to meet the needs of Aboriginal communities."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence
"Victims' voices deserve to be heard, which is why the Aboriginal community are leading their own reforms."
“New holistic ways of addressing family violence can lead to reforms that help the entire system.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020