$3.8 million for domestic and family violence safety program

The Federal and NSW State Governments have been working together to build a safer New South Wales for Aboriginal women and children experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence by investing $3.8 million in a first-ever domestic and family violence specific Aboriginal Community Safety Grant program.

As part of the National Partnership Agreement for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence responses 2021-30, funding has been allocated to 32 local Aboriginal-led projects to help reduce domestic, family, and sexual violence in Aboriginal communities in rural, regional, and metropolitan New South Wales.

The projects focus on early intervention, prevention, healing, and recovery for those affected by or using violence.

Several initiatives specifically target primary prevention, addressing risk factors before violence occurs, and support diverse cohorts including women, children, young people, men, and boys.

Examples of successful programs include:

• Ngarra Aboriginal Corporation which will use the grant funding to deliver Healing Strong, a trauma-informed and culturally safe domestic violence intervention program for Aboriginal men and boys. The program will address the roots of violence by focusing on healing trauma, regulating emotions and restoring identity. It will be offered in the Hunter region.
• Jeff Amatto, an Aboriginal sole trader, will use the grant funding to deliver three cultural healing programs in Wellington and Cessnock. The programs will work with men to support the healing journey and connect women with Elders and support services.
• Women Up North, will run an outreach service to support Aboriginal pregnant teenagers and young mothers at high risk of domestic, family and sexual violence with culturally safe health and life education, as well as working with their community members to encourage appropriate response to domestic violence risk and occurrence to create safer communities.
• This grant program is part of a wider effort by the Federal and NSW Governments to close the gap in family safety outcomes and improve the lives of Aboriginal people in New South Wales.

All projects strengthen services for victim-survivors and align with:

• The First Action Plan 2023–2027 under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032
• The upcoming NSW Aboriginal Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Plan
• Commitments under both the NSW and Commonwealth Government’s Closing the Gap implementation plans to help achieve:
• Target 13 to reduce the rate of all forms of family violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50 per cent, as progress towards zero
• Priority Reform Area 2 to build a strong and sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled sector to deliver services that meet the needs of indigenous communities.
• By supporting Aboriginal-led program development, the grants promote self-determination, community innovation, and culturally grounded, place-based responses.

In addition, Aboriginal-led, trauma-informed and culturally safe strategies recognise the importance of culture, connection to Country and the role of men’s and women’s business in responding to and healing from family violence.

For more information on the 32 projects, go to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/grant-recipients?nid=90454