A national responsibility: Actions towards reconciliation
This report outlines some of Our Watch’s actions in 2024 to prevent violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children.
It highlights our work to raise awareness, shift attitudes and drive systemic change – grounded in truth-telling, valuing lived experience, and addressing the ongoing impacts of colonisation and racism.
Read a summary of highlights or download the full report below.
"In August 2024, we welcomed the Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy, to Our Watch’s Executive Team – a vital step in embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership across the organisation, sharing power and embedding decolonising practices."
Chair, Moo Baulch OAM and Co-Deputy Chair, Vicky Welgraven AM
The Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy provided national leadership through media, sector engagement, and cross-jurisdictional collaboration. This included:
In 2024, Our Watch made 4 formal submissions focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, as well as 3 responses to draft versions of the national plan led by SNAIIC Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices National Family Safety Plan.
Highlighted in Our Watch’s formal submission to the Family Safety Plan, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Steering Committee provided their own independent statement. This was a deliberate and important decision to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices could be heard on their own terms, free from the broader organisational framing that typically shapes Our Watch’s submissions. This independent statement stands as a powerful expression of self-determination and cultural authority. The Steering Committee also provided guidance and advice that informed the development of Our Watch’s primary submission.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and Aboriginal-led evidence were incorporated into several other mainstream submissions and policy briefs, contributing meaningfully to broader national prevention strategies.
View all Our Watch submissions here.
In 2024, Our Watch partnered with Indigenous-led organisation Murawin to evaluate our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (2020–2022) and guide the development of the Stretch RAP (2025–2028). Murawin’s evaluation commended Our Watch’s strategic approach, with 91.3% of Innovate RAP goals achieved.
Building on this strong foundation, the new Stretch RAP prioritises long-term, respectful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and strengthens accountability across the organisation.
Read our Stretch RAP here
Actions towards reconciliation and preventing violence in 2021.
Download 2021 PDF
Actions towards reconciliation and preventing violence in 2022.
Download 2022 Word document
Actions towards reconciliation and preventing violence in 2023.
Download 2023 PDFWe recognise and continue to be guided by the expertise, leadership and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and communities – wisdom that has always been present, often unrecognised yet resilient in the face of systemic barriers.
As a non-Indigenous-led organisation, we are committed to amplifying the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations and ensuring that our primary prevention work is responsive to the needs and shared priorities of communities.
Detail of artwork: Weaving dreams (2025) by Gamilaraay artist, Karla McGrady (she/her).
