Australia’s national violence prevention organisation, Our Watch, has welcomed the Northern Territory coroner’s report into the domestic violence deaths of four Aboriginal women.
Coroner Elizabeth Armitage made 35 recommendations that outline a comprehensive roadmap for the Northern Territory to prevent and respond to violence against women.
Our Watch Chief Executive Officer, Patty Kinnersly, acknowledged and paid tribute to the lives of Kumanjayi Haywood, Ngeygo Ragurrk, Miss Yunupiŋu and Kumarn Rubuntja, who were all killed by their partners, and reiterated her condolences to their families and communities.
“As the coroner has made clear, these deaths were preventable. As horrific as the loss of these women were, the situation has only worsened since. Around 33% of women killed allegedly by men’s violence since June in Australia are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women – despite making up just 4% of the population,” Ms Kinnersly said.
“So it’s beyond urgent to step-up efforts to prevent one more tragic death.
Our Watch also supported Coroner Armitage’s recommendation for a significant increase in funding for the NT sector.
However, Ms Kinnersly noted that many previous enquires had made similar recommendations and it was time to adopt them into action, and allocate funding based on need.
“These recommendations cannot sit on the shelf. They must be adopted into action, to deliver the comprehensive change that is needed across all levels of government, across the justice system and in community so this violence ends.
Our Watch Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy, Wiradjuri-Ngunnawal woman Regan Mitchell, said these recommendations cemented what the community had been saying for years.
“These four women were loving mothers, sisters, aunties and community members and all experienced horrific deaths that could’ve been prevented. We owe it to these women and all those experiencing violence to act urgently.”
Our Watch commended the coroner for undertaking the inquest in a culturally appropriate way, delivering a process that gave space to the voice of victims, their families and communities, which supported healing.
“The coroner has demonstrated deep listening and shown how the justice system, along with other government systems, can engage in a positive, culturally-appropriate way with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities,” Ms Kinnersly said.
“Too often our justice and government systems can add to the trauma. There is an opportunity for all systems and governments to learn from the coroner’s process to deliver support and justice that is culturally appropriate, builds relationships and limits further trauma.”
Please contact media@ourwatch.org.au or call 0448 844 930.
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1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732. Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491.
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Our Watch is a national leader in Australia’s work to stop violence against women and their children before it starts. The organisation was created to drive nation-wide change in the practices, norms, and structures that lead to violence against women and children. Read more about Our Watch here.