The State Government is making sure Aboriginal Victorians have the resources they need to tackle family violence in a culturally appropriate way.
Prevention of Family Violence Minister, Vicki Ward announced 44 Aboriginal-led projects on Thursday 18 April, which will be shared in $2.2 million to tackle family violence and released the second action plan under the Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way – Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families 10 Year Agreement (2018-2028).
The community initiatives grants will support culturally appropriate, community-led projects that prevent and respond to family violence in Aboriginal communities.
Dhelk Dja Action Groups are made up of Aboriginal community members and play a pivotal role in community-led responses to family violence.
Prevention of Family Violence Minister Vicki Ward said Aboriginal people know that Aboriginal-led responses are key in preventing and responding to family violence in their communities.
“Located across the state, the 11 Dhelk Dja Action Groups are best placed to work with communities to respond to the challenges of family violence at the grass roots level,” she said.
“Supporting Aboriginal services and organisations to work within community is consistent with Victoria’s Aboriginal self-determination.”
Projects funded in this year’s grants include:
• A prevention program that engages young people at risk of family violence and focuses on cultural connection.
• Women’s groups supporting Aboriginal women in refuges or in prison through yarning circles.
• An awareness-raising project to address violence against Aboriginal LGBTIQA+ individuals in community.
• A program designed to help heal, empower, and culturally connect elders affected by family violence.
• A therapeutic retreat for fathers and carers of young Aboriginal children affected by family violence.
The grants align with the strategic priorities under the world leading Dhelk Dja agreement between Victorian Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal organisations and the Victorian Government which aims to ensure Aboriginal people, families and communities are stronger, safer, and live free from the harm of family violence.
The second action plan under the Dhelk Dja agreement was developed by Aboriginal communities across Victoria and endorsed by the Koori Caucus and Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum.
The action plan focuses on Aboriginal culture and leadership, Aboriginal-led prevention, self-determining Aboriginal family violence support and services, system transformation based on self-determination and Aboriginal-led and informed innovation, data, and research in addressing family violence in Aboriginal communities.
A full list of funded projects is available at, vic.gov.au/aboriginal-cif.
