Our Watch is a national organisation dedicated to the primary prevention of violence against women and their children.
Our Watch supports a Yes vote in the Voice referendum as a step towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices being heard and valued on critical matters impacting their communities, and in the hope that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children’s safety is prioritised to prevent violence.
Our position on the Voice referendum is part of Our Watch’s commitment to addressing the ongoing impacts of colonisation and challenging racism and sexism to prevent violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
We acknowledge and value the many cultures, languages and communities within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with different perspectives, contexts and experiences. These differences reflect the richness and breadth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. In this context, Our Watch’s organisational position for the upcoming referendum is not representative of all staff members, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
As a non-Indigenous organisation, Our Watch understands that violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children is not an ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander problem.’ As highlighted in Our Watch’s national resource Changing the picture, the evidence clearly shows the intersection between racism, sexism and violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
Our Watch has an ongoing commitment to the prevention of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children, who continue to suffer from violence at a significantly higher rate than non-Indigenous women. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who lead the work of sharing knowledge with non-Indigenous people and relentlessly advocate for an equitable, violence-free future in Australia.
Challenging racism and addressing the ongoing impacts of colonisation is a critical component of preventing violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Some public commentary related to the referendum is discriminatory, hurtful and reflects deeply embedded structural violence.
In this referendum year, more than ever, Our Watch will show up for and walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, families and communities to work towards meaningful and long-lasting change.
Media contact
Please contact media@ourwatch.org.au or 0448 844 930.
*If you cover this story, or any story regarding violence against women and children, please include the following tagline:
“If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.”
To access guides for reporting about violence against women and their children, visit our media and reporting website.
About Our Watch
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.
