Specialist domestic, family, and sexual violence organisations "fed up with the slow wheels of government that lead to inaction" have formed a national grassroots network (Community of Practice) with a mission to reducing all forms of violence.
Led by First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV), the only nationally funded peak body set up to address DFSV for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, the 40-strong gathering of Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations (ACCOs) and allies will convene Thursday for their inaugural meeting.
FNAAFV (formerly the National Family Violence Prevention & Legal Services Forum), chief executive Kerry Staines said the Community of Practice will be driven by Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations and their allies "who know the power of working together and having a united voice, with a view to creating alliances and networks committed to reducing violence".
"There are dozens of organisations on the ground that are energised to deliver better outcomes for our mob and who recognise the importance of community led solutions, and as the national peak body for the sector we are committed to bringing us all together to amplify grassroots local voices to a national level," Ms Staines said.
"So far, we have more than 55 registrations from 43 organisations, which coupled with our current members who have almost 300 workers nationally, gives us access to many voices from very remote to urban areas to address this crisis.
"Membership to the Community of Practice is free and open indefinitely, so we encourage ACCOs and ally organisations to join the conversation as we push for immediate action to reduce family violence experienced by our communities."
The advocates noted on Thursday, prior to the Community's first meeting, that violence against women leads to one woman's death every four days, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised and 10 times more likely to die from violent assault than non-Indigenous women.
"In addition to these sobering statistics, there are many reports that tell us what we already know," Ms Staines said.
"Yesterday, at a Press Club Conference, we saw Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin again highlight how overwhelmed services are in providing support for current victims and survivors of DFSV, specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Micaela acknowledged like so many others before that community-led solutions deliver the best results.
"Then there was the release earlier this month of the report into the Murdered and Missing Women inquest, as well as the recent NLAP review, and the Productivity Commission's progress report on the Closing the Gap Targets that all clearly demonstrate that we need to work to mobilise and act for our victims/survivors and those affected by violence. It is highly concerning that the government has not acknowledged or fast tracked any action to effectively address the devastating impact of violence on our families and communities. Our communities cannot wait any longer."
The advocates noted that Targets 12 and 13 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap commit the federal government to reducing DSF violence.
First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence was established in May 2012 and is the National Peak Body for Family Violence Prevention Legal Services around Australia that provide culturally safe and holistic services to First Nations people affected by family violence – predominantly women and children. The organisation provides advice in areas of national policy, planning and law reform, and advocates for safety and justice for First Nations people affected by family violence.
