Every Victorian woman and child deserves to be safe – whether it’s at home, at work or in their community.
That’s why the Allan Labor Government is backing Aboriginal-led groups to stop family violence before it starts.
Minister Horne today announced the recipients of the 2025/26 Aboriginal Community Initiatives Fund.
The fund delivers $1.4 million to be shared across 29 projects delivered by Aboriginal-led organisations, with individual grants of up to $100,000.
The programs foster healthy, respectful relationships to reduce the rate of family violence, including:
- Strong Women, Safe families – primary prevention, early intervention and culturally safe responses to family violence through community connection
- Junior University Camp – building on students’ life skills, knowledge and confidence through a respectful relationships program
- VACSAL ACM West Families Program- community program for Aboriginal fathers and carers with service providers to build healthy relationships
- Wathaurong Boxing – strengthening cultural identity, changing behaviours through structured routine and mentorship
- Men’s Group – focus on supporting Aboriginal men’s social, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
The projects are also in line with the landmark Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way – Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families agreement.
The Dhelk Dja agreement was developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities across Victoria and endorsed by the Koori Caucus and Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum.
Victoria is leading the nation in strengthening the prevention and response to family violence.
This includes investing more than $4 billion and implementing all 227 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
More information is available at vic.gov.au/aboriginal-cif.
As stated by Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Melissa Horne
“Every woman and child deserves to feel safe – that means investing in prevention before violence begins.”
“If we want to drive down family violence, we must back Aboriginal-led programs to get the best results.”
As stated by Minister for First Peoples Ros Spence
“The strongest programs to support Aboriginal communities are those that are led by Aboriginal communities – that’s why Labor funds First Nations organisations to lead that work.”
