- Cook Government awards more than $5.5
million for Aboriginal-led initiatives that prevent or respond to family and
domestic violence in local communities
- 12 organisations have received funding
under the Aboriginal Family Safety Grants Program
- Grants program responds to request for
more Aboriginal-led solutions from the Family and Domestic Violence
Taskforce
The Cook Government has awarded more
than $5.5 million in grant funding to a range of Aboriginal-led initiatives
that prevent or respond to family and domestic violence in local communities.
A dozen Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and
registered Aboriginal businesses have been awarded grant funding under the Aboriginal Family Safety Grants
Program to develop
community-led family safety activities in their regions over two years.
The funding supports the implementation
of the Aboriginal Family Safety Strategy 2022-2032 by enabling Aboriginal-led
actions and solutions that promote family safety.
Recipients include an early
intervention service for men in the Kimberley, a therapeutic healing
program in the Central Great Southern region, and a drop-in centre for
teenagers in the Goldfields-Esperance region.
The program was informed by the Family and Domestic Violence Taskforce
which recommended more investment in Aboriginal-led responses to family
violence experienced by Aboriginal people.
An independent evaluation of the grants program will be conducted by
Kaala Barna Aboriginal Consultancy.
The announcement comes during the State Government's eighth 16 Days in
WA campaign to end gender-based violence.
The grant recipients are:
- Aboriginal Family
Legal Services:'Expanding the AFLS Integrated Service Model'
- Ngunytju Tjitji Pirni Aboriginal Corporation: 'Strong
Girls: Strong Women'
- Badgebup Aboriginal Corporation in the Central Great
Southern: 'Women's Therapeutic Healing Program'
- Gawooleng Yawoodeng Aboriginal Corporation in the East
Kimberley: 'Binarrig-gerring Jawalenga-woorr Strong Men's Program'
- Gawooleng Yawoodeng Aboriginal Corporation in the East
Kimberley: 'Badayijeng Ninggoowoong-Woorr Strong Families - Prevention and
Early Intervention Events and Resources'
- Langford Aboriginal Association Inc: 'Development of
an Aboriginal Youth Family Violence Prevention Education Program'
- Karlup Aboriginal Corporation in Midland: 'Ni Birdiya
Waangkiny Listen: Bosses talking!'
- Goldfields Aboriginal Community Services Aboriginal
Corporation: 'Empowering Aboriginal Youth through a Holistic Drop-in Centre'
- Marnin Bowa Dumbara Aboriginal Corporation: 'Kimberley
Community Child Safety and Advocacy'
- Yura Yungi Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation: 'Family
Safety Project Halls Creek'
- Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation: 'Kwabba Moorditj
Bidi Kaartmardajen Moort - (Good strong path - head, hands, talk, walk with
families) Boodjah Bidi (Sacred Path)'
- Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation in the West
Pilbara: 'RRKAC's Strong Family Connections'
Comments attributed to Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence
Minister Sabine Winton:
"Aboriginal women and children are disproportionately impacted by family
violence. This is completely unacceptable.
"This grants program demonstrates the Cook Government's commitment to
keeping Aboriginal people safe from family violence.
"We want to encourage Aboriginal-led solutions that support Aboriginal
family safety.
"Importantly, these initiatives will focus on a range of areas from
prevention to early intervention, crisis support and recovery.
"The evaluation of the grants program will offer valuable insight
into how we can support stronger and more effective responses to Aboriginal
people impacted by family violence."
Comments attributed to
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"Addressing family safety
in Aboriginal communities requires approaches that are culturally informed and
tailored to their specific needs.
"Investing in
Aboriginal-led programs is critical to achieving long-term safety and wellbeing
for families.
"These grants reflect the
importance of culturally responsive solutions that reflect the unique needs of
Aboriginal communities."
