Indigenous Healing Service for family violence impacted youth
A new Indigenous Healing Service (IHS) for Aboriginal children and young people aged up to 24 years impacted by family violence in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs area will be delivered by Koya Aboriginal Corporation.
The new service is part of an $8.2 million package to deliver accessible therapeutic healing services to children and young people affected by family violence as part of the State Government’s commitment to building safe and inclusive communities.
The IHS model recognises that Aboriginal children, young people and families experience disproportionately high levels of family violence, with devastating impacts on their health and wellbeing.
Key points
- Government awards contract to Koya Aboriginal Corporation to deliver a new Indigenous Healing Service in the north-eastern suburbs
- Midland-based service to provide culturally grounded support for Aboriginal children and young people impacted by family violence
- Part of $8.2 million package to deliver accessible therapeutic support for young people, building safer and more inclusive communities across Western Australia
The new service will deliver an Aboriginal led, culturally grounded model of support and will include healing activities such as art, storytelling, movement, cultural mentoring and on Country experiences to support recovery and help children and young people feel safe, connected and supported.
“Exposure to family violence can have a devastating impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of children and young people, negatively affecting every aspect of their development, mental health, schooling and peer relationships,” Minister Jessica Stojkovski said.
“Providing safe spaces and an opportunity for connection, stability and therapeutic support can assist children and young people to heal and recover. This not only benefits their immediate safety and wellbeing but also helps reduce the lifelong impacts of this type of trauma.
“Importantly, this service will be delivered by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation in Koya Aboriginal Corporation.”
Koya Aboriginal Corporation is a well-regarded Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that provides a wide variety of supports for young Aboriginal people in the north-east and south-west metropolitan area.
This initiative shows continued commitment to, and delivery of the Strengthening Responses to Family and Domestic Violence: System Reform Plan 2024 to 2029, which identifies the need for appropriately resourced specialist responses for victim-survivors and more opportunities to enhance case coordination to support children and young people.
