The Albanese Labor Government has further progressed its commitment to addressing family violence experienced by First Nations women and children, with public consultation opening on the design of a standalone National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan.
As part of national engagement, members of the public are being invited to make submissions on the design of the Plan. The process is being conducted by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and is seeking perspectives on the solutions, priorities and approaches that will make up the Family Safety Plan, ensuring it is shaped by the voices and views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
This process builds on the consultation and engagement that informed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023-2025 which was launched in August 2023.
First Nations women and children continue to be disproportionately impacted by family, domestic and sexual violence. They are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised due to violence than non-Indigenous women and six times more likely to die because of family violence.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth highlighted the need to give First Nations people, service providers on the ground and anyone interested an opportunity to contribute to the Plan and to identify solutions and approaches that can combat the disproportionately high rates of family, domestic, and sexual violence amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Our Government is committed to ending violence towards women and children in one generation, including for First Nations women and children who we know are disproportionately impacted by family violence,” Minister Rishworth said.
“This public submission process will give people – particularly victim-survivors who have experienced violence – the opportunity to engage on a series of questions regarding key priorities, challenges, and solutions to address the rates of gender-based violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“Providing everyone the opportunity to contribute is an important part of the consultation and design process. This will contribute to the broader consultation and engagement program that SNAICC are delivering to support the First Nations National Plan Steering Committee in development of the plan.”
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said “ensuring the safety of First Nations women, children and families is a critical priority for the Albanese Government.”
“It is unacceptable First Nations women and children continue to experience disproportionately higher rates of family and domestic violence,” Minister McCarthy said.
“This opportunity for First Nations people with lived experience of family violence, experts, the community-controlled sector and community members to inform the development of the standalone National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan is key to ensuring practical outcomes and driving meaningful change. It is essential these perspectives are heard.”
Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, said SNAICC is calling for submissions to ensure that the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities and makes a real difference in the safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“It’s vital we emphasise the importance of including voices from across the country, encompassing lived experiences, grassroots perspectives, organisations, and academics to inform a standalone plan to enhance safety for women and children,” Ms Liddle said.
Steering Committee co-chair Muriel Bamblett said it was important that community voices and experiences were prioritised as the national plan progressed.
“The standalone National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan will be critical to increasing safety for our women and children, so we need to hear from a range of stakeholders,” Professor Bamblett said.
“We want to make sure all perspectives on the solutions, priorities and approaches have every opportunity to inform the National Plan, so it reflects the needs and aspirations of our communities.”
More detailed information on the public submission process is available through the SNAICC website. This includes a discussion paper that can be used to support all responses to the public submission process.
The public submissions process is open from now until 11:59pm AEST on Friday 25 October 2024. To share your views and experiences, you can upload a written or audio submission here.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family, or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au
Feeling worried or no good? Connect with 13YARN Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters on 13 92 76, available 24/7 from any mobile or pay phone, or visit www.13yarn.org.au No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn.