Building awareness and accountability to prevent tech-based abuse of First Nations women is the focus of a community-led project, awarded $394,000 in Albanese Government funding.
To be delivered by Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation and Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service, the project will engage with First Nations men in the Big Rivers region to co-design a program aimed at promoting positive, respectful behaviours and increasing accountability and leadership skills of men in the community.
The project will harness First Nations men’s voices and ideas to develop tailored, culturally appropriate resources to address the underlying drivers of tech-based abuse.
Katherine West Health Board is one of 10 organisations awarded funding by the eSafety Commissioner under Round 2 of the Government’s $10 million Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program.
The full list of Round 2 recipients can be viewed at Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program | eSafety Commissioner.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, Anika Wells:
“Online and digital technologies are part of most Australians’ everyday lives, which is what makes tech-facilitated abuse so insidious.
“That’s why the Albanese Government is investing $3.5 million in the latest round of this grants program, including targeted grants for First Nations-led projects.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“The Albanese Government is committed to improving the safety of women and children and ending gender-based violence.
“Technology-based abuse, like all forms of abuse, is unacceptable.
“I thank these organisations, including the Katherine West Health Board Aboriginal Corporation, Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation and Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service, for their vital work designing programs that support respectful relationships in our communities, including First Nations communities.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour:
“Working with local groups and people is key to tackling this serious issue at its core.
“Everyone must be accountable for their actions whether that’s online or not and the community is ready to take a leadership role in doing just this.
“The Albanese Government is proud to be awarding $394,000 to partner with these local organisations and people in our community to support this innovative project which is addressing a serious issue.”
Quotes attributable to Katherine West Health Board CEO Sinon Cooney:
“Our communities are already feeling the very real impacts of technology-facilitated abuse.
“By taking a regional approach in partnership with Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service and Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation, we are extending our reach and strengthening how we protect families.
“This work is about more than prevention — it is about empowerment, giving women, children and families the tools they need to feel safe, connected, and supported.
“Just as importantly, it creates space for strong men in our communities to step forward as leaders — driving change through respect, responsibility, and a commitment to building safer futures for everyone.”