In partnership with 1800RESPECT— the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service — SNAICC has launched two major resources to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and frontline family violence workers.
In a national first, SNAICC and 1800RESPECT have developed a new online interactive map specifically targeted at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people seeking support to respond to family violence.
The map provides contact and service information for over 280 Aboriginal community- controlled services across Australia. It allows communities and workers to instantly find culturally-appropriate services to respond to family violence.
The map can be accessed through the 1800RESPECT website and will also be available soon on the SNAICC website.
SNAICC and 1800RESPECT have also collaborated to launch an online resource to support best practice across the nation to reduce the incidence and impact of family violence on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
The online resource is based on the recently published SNAICC guide, Safe for Our Kids, which was developed from consultations with Indigenous community-controlled service providers and drew on their wealth of experience in delivering effective programs to prevent and respond to family violence.
The resource, titled Good practice principles: A rights-based framework for engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, details best practice principles in achieving positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and communities, but in particular supports the needs of children.
The resource is targeted at service providers working to prevent and respond to family violence with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
SNAICC Chairperson Sharron Williams said SNAICC was proud to partner 1800Respect to help respond to family violence and make families and communities safer for women and children.
“Family violence is a serious and damaging issue in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities — as it is in the wider Australian society.
“However, it is a particularly devastating issue for our families and communities. Aboriginal women are 35 times more likely to suffer family violence and sustain serious injuries requiring hospitalisation, and 10 times more likely to die due to family violence, than non-Aboriginal women.
“While governments have a critical role to play in tackling the underlying issues that lead to family violence, our communities and organisations must also be empowered to come up with local solutions to keep women and children safe from family violence.
“These great new resources will play a part in empowering community and frontline family violence workers. On behalf of SNAICC, I would like to thank 1800 Respect for teaming up with us to help improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.”
The resources will be launched today at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. Former Queensland premier Anna Bligh will be a guest speaker.
Media inquiries: Frank Hytten, SNAICC CEO, on (0432) 345 652
John Burton, SNAICC Resources Manager, (0401) 878 063
Giuseppe Stramandinoli, SNAICC Media Officer, (0419) 508 125
