Support program to keep Aboriginal families safe in regional and remote NSW

The NSW Government is strengthening support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children escaping abuse in regional and remote New South Wales, with a new culturally safe support program under the Staying in Community Leaving Violence (SiCLV) initiative.

Two Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations will deliver SiCLV in Western NSW and the mid-North Coast:

• Maranguka Ltd in Bourke LGA
• Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service in Kempsey and Nambucca LGA.

Two more SiCLV services will be delivered in Western NSW, with providers to be determined.

SiCLV is part of the broader Staying Home Leaving Violence Program that was expanded with a $25.9 million investment by the NSW Government.

High rates of domestic and family violence

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said the gap between the high rates of domestic and family violence in Aboriginal communities and non-Aboriginal communities, especially in the bush, was totally unacceptable.

“The roll out of SiCLV programs where they are really needed in Bourke, Kempsey and Nambucca is great news for these communities,” he said.

“All the evidence tells us that when Aboriginal community organisations drive change in partnership with Government, better outcomes are achieved and that’s a key focus of this Government.

“We are continuing to turn our Closing the Gap commitments for shared decision making into action, by working with Aboriginal organisations to lead the way in keeping women and children safe.

Whole-of-family approach

“SiCLV is a wonderful example of shared decision-making leading to better outcomes.”

The SiCLV program has been co-designed with Aboriginal communities, recognising the significant barriers many Aboriginal women face when seeking support, including concerns about losing their children, housing and connection to community.

It adopts a whole-of-family approach, working with all family members, including the person using violence, to drive long-term change and improve family safety.

SiCLV brings together services including NSW Police, housing, courts and non-government organisations to deliver coordinated and culturally safe support.

Based on the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data, Aboriginal women are eight times more likely to be recorded as victims of domestic and family violence. However, it is understood that only approximately 10 per cent of violence against Aboriginal woman and children is reported.

SiCLV is part of the Government’s work to expand specialist domestic and family violence services across the state, particularly to close gaps in support available in regional New South Wales.