New research published Tuesday by the Disability Royal Commission found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with disability are at an even greater risk of experiencing family and domestic violence.
The study, 'Wangkiny Yirra "Speaking Up" Project – First Nations women and children with disability and their experiences of family and domestic violence", was prepared by researchers from Curtin University and examines the experiences of family and domestic violence for First Nations women and children with disability.
The report focusses on First Nations women and children with disability from Western Australia.
It acknowledges that trauma from colonisation is passed down through generations of First Nations people, including those with disability. This trauma, combined with racism and disadvantage, contributes to family and domestic violence.
Drawing on information from the Law Council of Australia, the report found Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with disability are at an even greater risk of experiencing violence and of being involved in violence and imprisoned, because they face intersecting forms of discrimination due to their gender, disability, and ethnicity.
One third of the First Nations women and children with disability interviewed said they were sexually abused as children.
The report also found that First Nations women avoid reporting family and domestic violence due to fear that child protective services will remove children from their care.
The research heard from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability that they face barriers to assessments and diagnoses, making it difficult to access support, and also experience a lack of support and cultural safety from staff in mainstream services.
Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth told National Indigenous Times her department is "leading the Commonwealth's actions to embed disability as a cross-cutting outcome under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap as well as the implementation of Australia's Disability Strategy 2021–2031, which holds all Ministers responsible for improving outcomes for all Australians with disability, ensuring no-one is left behind".
"Building a more inclusive society and ensuring First Nations Australians with disability are supported is a particular focus of mine," she said.
"The Albanese Labor Government has committed to an ambitious agenda to build the community-controlled sector through the Disability Sector Strengthening Plan which was developed in partnership with First Peoples Disability Network and all Australian governments to improve understanding, support for, and representation of First Nations peoples with disability across all Commonwealth policy, programs and services.
"We have also made women's safety a national priority and are providing the focus and national leadership needed to deliver change. Along with states and territories, we've set a goal to end violence against women and children within a generation."
Ms Rishworth said under the National Plan, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan is currently being developed in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council.
"The Advisory Council membership includes representation of First Nations peoples with disability," she noted.
For anyone experiencing – or who knows someone who might be experiencing or at risk of experiencing – family, domestic, or sexual violence I would encourage them to call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au anytime of the day or night.
