National prevention organisation Our Watch welcomes the release of Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026-2036 by the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan (Family Safety Plan) aims to contribute to a whole-of-society approach to addressing the unacceptable rates of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. Our Watch was proud to contribute to the Plan.
Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said the Plan comes at a vital time.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children continue to experience disproportionate rates of violence, and violence that is often more severe and complex in its impacts. This Plan is a big step in advancing work to address that, and we stand ready to support its implementation.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are experts in their own lives and have displayed strong leadership in work to reduce violence over decades. The Plan seeks to empower communities to self-determine services and responses to domestic and family violence. Our Watch is committed to responding to its call for non-Indigenous organisations to listen, to increase accountability and capability, to share power and to walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy Regan Mitchell said the Plan comes at a critical moment, in which action is needed to prioritise the safety of the group most impacted by men’s violence in Australia.
“The recent and preventable killings of three Aboriginal people, including a pregnant woman, in Lake Cargelligo once again shows that this national crisis needs urgent attention. Taking action to prevent violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is well overdue, especially for women and children in remote and regional areas. A dedicated plan to take action has been desperately needed for a long time, and we welcome a first step towards making this a national priority.”
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. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access support through 13YARN.
Access guides for reporting about violence against women and their children.
Our Watch is Australia’s leader in the primary prevention of violence against women. 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.