The Albanese Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to fund more family, domestic and sexual violence services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Violence against women is an epidemic across Australia and affects women and children everywhere.
However First Nations women and children continue to be disproportionately impacted. They are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised due to violence than non-Indigenous women and six times more likely to die as a result of family violence.
This must end.
Under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023-2025 $13.995 million will be invested in 25 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisations across the country to help better meet the demand for family, domestic and sexual violence services.
The organisations will be funded for a range of activities such as building workforce capacity, establishing or expanding primary prevention initiatives, meeting existing demand and innovation to meet emerging issues.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the funding has been awarded in recognition of the need for adequate, sustained, and long-term support and partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisations.
“We know First Nations women and children experience much higher rates of family, domestic and sexual violence and we must do more to address this epidemic,” Minister Rishworth said.
“This is why it is so important to develop and support true partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations, to ensure we are listening, and providing culturally informed action against family, domestic, and sexual violence.
“Through a combined effort between the Government, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisations, and surrounding communities, we can take strides to ending violence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
