The Department of Communities has released the Aboriginal Family Safety Strategy, setting out a 10-year, cross-Government commitment to address disproportionate rates of family violence in Aboriginal families and communities.
In a statement, the Department said the Strategy, the first of its kind in Western Australia, had been devised through extensive consultation with the Aboriginal community and other State Government Agencies.
“It commits Government, Aboriginal people and the wider community to preference Aboriginal-led responses to family violence,” the Department said.
“That includes a focus on healing, supporting men and boys, transforming service provision to drive local, sustainable, and culturally safe solutions, and using culture as the guiding frame for prevention and early intervention.”
Leading the work with the Department is Victoria Hovane, an Aboriginal woman from Broome belonging to the Ngarluma people of Roebourne in the Pilbara, and the Jaru and Gooniyandi peoples of the East and Central Kimberley regions.
Dr Hovane is a registered psychologist and Managing Director of Tjallara Consulting, who provided family violence and cultural expertise in the development and drafting of the Strategy.
Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence, Simone McGurk said it was known that Aboriginal families were disproportionately impacted by family and domestic violence.
“Aboriginal people in Western Australia have long advocated for a dedicated response to family violence in Aboriginal communities, created in partnership with them,” Ms McGurk said.
“This Strategy builds on the strength of Aboriginal culture as a key element to create safe and thriving families.”
She said the Government was committed to ensuring that the Strategy held Aboriginal values, beliefs, culture, identity, and knowledge systems at the heart of holistic responses to support Aboriginal family safety.
The 38-page Aboriginal Family Safety Strategy 2022 – 2032 can be accessed at this PS News link.
