Amid one of Australia's most urgent social crises, Our Watch has launched a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander directorate, aiming to centre the voices of First Nations women in violence prevention.
Our Watch, Australia's leader in the primary prevention of violence against women, was created to address the underlying, gendered drivers of violence against women and their children, and drive nationwide change. Their core purpose is primary prevention - 'stop violence before it happens'.
The newly-established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy directorate recognises the crucial need for First Nations-specific approaches in addressing the disproportionately high rates of violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
According to Our Watch, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 11 times more likely to die due to assault than non-Indigenous women, and experience violence at 3.1 times the rate of non-Indigenous women.
At the helm of the new directorate is Regan Mitchell, a proud Wiradjuri-Ngunnawal woman bringing years of leadership experience in the domestic violence sector. As the Director, she will lead a team in delivering culturally tailored and community-focused solutions.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children are the most impacted group of people of men's violence in the country. The root causes of this violence our women face is complex and unique," Ms Mitchell said.
"It requires a dedicated and specific strategy and approach that prioritises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's voices and experiences."
Ms Mitchell believes that effectively addressing violence against First Nations women will come from national systemic and structural reform.
"If we are serious about change we need to centre Blak experiences and knowledge. It also needs to be resourced properly," she said.
"Our Watch's new directorate prioritises this and will hopefully encourage other organisations to do the same."
With the new directorate set in action, Ms Mitchell said they will focus on community engagement to ensure First Nations voices are truly included within their work.
"Aboriginal women working at Our Watch have always ensured that their work is community-led, with a focus on addressing the needs of community. This looks like working with community and making sure we take the time to listen and learn from mob on the ground," she explained.
"There isn't a one-size-fits-all model for how to do this work, but our team will ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander expert voices and safety are valued, prioritised and embedded throughout the organisation. This will inform how we do this work with accountability and transparency."
Ms Mitchell's approach is grounded not only in professional expertise but in empathy developed through her experience in the domestic violence sector.
"To have a true understanding of violence against women, it takes more than speaking with someone for an hour at a refuge," she said.
"When you've had the privilege of years walking alongside women and their children - navigating the systems and structures not built for our people during their most traumatic and private times - I believe you hear and see things differently.
"I will always do my best to honour those women's voices and the stories they have trusted me with, and this informs my approach to any strategies in preventing violence against our women."
Our Watch's chief executive, Patty Kinnersly, acknowledged that preventing violence against First Nations women requires both systemic change and cultural understanding.
"As a non-Aboriginal organisation, we are grateful for the leadership and cultural knowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people bring to the organisation. Over decades, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have been leading the work to reduce violence, and we are committed to listening, learning and walking alongside them," she said.
Ms Kinnersly explained that the creation of the directorate continued their commitment to preventing violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and families, a vision that has been embedded throughout the organisation and their work.
"For too long, systems and structures have shut Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities out, and it's crucial these voices are centred," she said.
"We acknowledge the issue of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women remains a crisis, and it's up to all of us – individuals, communities, organisations, governments– to be part of driving the nationwide change needed to turn it around."
