Launch of new peak body: Our Ways Strong Together

The Federal Government and the Coalition of Peaks have launched a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander national peak body for family, domestic and sexual violence – Our Ways Strong Together.

Our Ways Strong Together brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations including specialist family, domestic and sexual violence services, peak bodies and the broader community-controlled sector.

By amplifying the perspectives and experiences of community-controlled organisations and the communities they serve, Our Ways Strong Together will also play an invaluable role in shaping government policies and programs.

Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek.

“We know Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women face unique and significant barriers to getting help – they are seven times more likely to be victims of intimate partner homicide and 27 times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be hospitalised due to family violence. This increases to 41 times more likely in regional and very remote communities,” Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek said.

Our Ways Strong Together also contributes to the Government’s work towards Target 13 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, to reduce family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50% by 2031.

The Coalition of Peaks and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector leaders worked alongside government to establish the new peak body, drawing on their deep expertise and leadership across their sectors and communities.

Olga Havnen will lead Our Ways Strong Together as the Chief Executive Officer. Ms Havnen is a proud Western Arrernte woman and has extensive experience working in partnership with First Nations communities.

She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours for her advocacy work. Ms Havnen was previously Chief Executive Officer of Danila Dilba Health Service in Darwin.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy said the launch of Our Ways Strong Together delivered on the government’s commitment to establish a national First Nations peak body to address family, domestic and sexual violence.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy.

“Our Ways Strong Together represents the community-controlled organisations and services who have been working to support survivors over many years,” she said.

“Strengthening the community-controlled sector is an important part of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, as all governments work with communities to end family, domestic and sexual violence.”

Donella Mills, Interim Chair of Our Ways Strong Together said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations were trusted, place-based service providers, designed by and for our people.

“They succeed because they are grounded in culture, local knowledge and accountability to our communities,” she said.

“Our Ways Strong Together is built from community, for community. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services and peak bodies have been leading this work for generations without a national, integrated sector body to represent them.

“Today we unite their voices at a national level. This peak body is about strength, culture and healing. It’s about ensuring our communities have the integrated support they need to keep families and communities safe.”

Interim board members include:

• Interim Chair: Donnella Mills, Chair of National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
• Muriel Bamblett, CEO of Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency and Chair of SNAICC – National Voice of our Children
• Lisa Charles, Executive Director of Coalition of Peaks Secretariat
• Wynetta Dewis, CEO of Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service and Chair of First Nations Advocates Against Family ViolenceFunding for Our Ways Strong Together is part of the $218.3 million investment into Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence.

  More information on the Our Ways Strong Together: National Peak Body for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence is available on the Department of Social Services website.

• If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800respect.org.au for online chat and video call services.
• If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au
• MensLine Australia Services are available if you are concerned about your wellbeing, relationships, and behaviour on 1300 789 978 or by visiting www.mensline.org.au
• Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.