The Ochre Ribbon Campaign marks its 11th year this week with a nationwide campaign running February 12-19 raising awareness about the devastating impacts of family and domestic violence on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Founded by Aboriginal Family Legal Services in 2015, the annual campaign is a community driven and culturally focused initiative.
Aboriginal people across Australia continue to experience the detrimental impacts of family and domestic violence at a higher rate than the general population.
AFLS says the Ochre Ribbon Campaign "symbolises the collective voice of our people to stop violence and commit to fostering safer communities for our Elders, men, women, and children".
"The colour and loop of the Ochre Ribbon represent the powerful connection to our lands and our lives. This connection intersects with the understanding that we all require the support of each other.
"From this, we reflect on the resilience and strength of our people and the survivors of abuse, who hold many of the solutions needed to pave our own pathways to better standards of social, economic, and physical safety and well-being.
"The Ochre Ribbon Campaign reminds all of us to take proactive steps towards contributing to making our communities safer, happier, and healthier places for our people to thrive."
Community members across the country are encouraged to show their support for the campaign, and to take a stand against family and domestic violence wherever it happens.
On Thursday, five graduates from the Aboriginal Family Legal Services Court Advocacy (Civil matters) program celebrated the completion of their studies at an event at King's Park, Boorloo/Perth.
The event was held to coincide with the beginning of Ochre Ribbon Week.
WA Attorney General Tony Buti and Minister for Indigenous Affairs Don Punch were among the attendees honouring the graduates' achievements.
On Tuesday, the federal government announced more than $200 million in funding as part of a national plan to address high rates of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children - Our Ways - Strong Ways - Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026-2036 - which was developed in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and state and territory governments.
It will operate alongside the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children, and will see $218.3 million over four years committed to establish up to 40 Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to deliver specialist, community-led services.
With additional reporting by Dechlan Brennan.
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