Aboriginal organisations across Victoria will be supported with new funding for family violence prevention and early intervention initiatives, as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to self-determination.
A total of 11 Aboriginal-led organisations and community groups will benefit from the Preventing the Cycle of Violence Aboriginal Fund for the first time, which will see them share in $2.7 million over two years.
The fund is designed to build respectful, culturally rich, strong and healthy relationships for Aboriginal children, young people, families and Elders.
The first-time funding will support the delivery of community designed initiatives, such as resilience camps, returning to country, men’s gatherings, awareness campaigns and messaging through sport.
The organisations are based through Victoria, with the initiatives working at a local, regional and state-wide level.
Some of the other successful projects include:
- Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative – Strong culture, stronger families: Grampians family violence primary prevention
- Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association – VACSAL resilience camps (Melbourne & Ballarat)
- Hume Dhelk Dja Action Group – Cultural sporting preventing project
- Murray Valley Aboriginal Cooperative
- Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Cooperation – Gippsland Aboriginal people say no to violence in our communities
Aboriginal-led prevention is a key priority of Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way – the new Aboriginal 10-Year Family Violence Agreement which was launched late last year.
Dhelk Dja is focused on Aboriginal self-determination and represents a partnership between the Aboriginal community, Aboriginal services and the Victorian Government.
The landmark agreement is viewable online at vic.gov.au/familyviolence.
As stated by Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings
“We are investing in Aboriginal-led community groups and services because we know they are best placed to respond to the needs of Aboriginal people in addressing this vital issue.”
As stated by Minister for the Prevention for Family Violence Gabrielle Williams
“The cost of family violence is too great – on children, on families and on our society.”
“We’re taking unprecedented action to stop it once and for all – and that starts with local solutions driven by people who know what’s best for their community.”
