Local Indigenous groups have been given new funding to help respond to domestic and family violence faced by First Nation’s people.
Eleven grassroots organisations will share in over $100,000 to provide culturally appropriate domestic and family violence support in eight communities across Queensland.
It comes as a National Women’s Safety Summit last week agreed to develop a specific plan to halt violence against Indigenous women and children with an emphasis on locally led initiatives.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said domestic violence statistics in First Nation’s communities were alarmingly high and part of a national crisis.
“It is important that we empower grass roots organisations to provide on the ground support for those people most impacted by domestic and family violence, particularly women and children,” Mr Crawford said.
According to the Changing the Picture report developed by Our Watch, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 11 times more likely to die from assault.
It also found Indigenous females experienced 29 times the rate of hospitalisation for non-fatal family violence assaults compared with non-Indigenous females.
Mr Crawford said the $10,000 grants will support organisations to work with young people, Elders and community workers to improve awareness of safe behaviours, healing, and community and family wellbeing.
“We know domestic and family violence is a complex issue, and these grants will build capacity and upskill community workers to support families, young people, and build perpetrator programs to prevent the cycle of domestic and family violence,” he said.
“It’s about reframing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through self-determination and community-led responses to eliminate domestic and family violence.”
These grants support efforts as part of Queensland’s Not Now, Not Ever response to domestic and family violence to build safer families.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Shannon Fentiman said we need to change how society views and treats women.
“The stark reality is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are over-represented in domestic and family violence statistics and we need to look at what more we can do to support our First Nations families in this space,” Ms Fentiman said.
“The successful organisations will be delivering some fantastic initiatives in our communities across the State to raise awareness about respectful relationships, what domestic violence is and how we can work as a community to call out violence.”
