Election Announcement: A Critical Moment for Family Violence Prevention & Legal Services

With the Federal Election now confirmed for May 3, we are entering a critical period for our communities. Over the past 12 months, we’ve worked hard to make sure our voices are heard across the ...halls of Parliament. As we head into the next five weeks of the election campaign, our message remains clear:

The next government must commit to the long-term stability and sustainability of the FVPLS sector, so we can continue supporting our communities impacted by family, domestic, and sexual violence.

As the national peak body for ACCO-led Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (FVPLS), we stand ready to work in partnership with the next Commonwealth Government to build on the progress made and to push for what’s still urgently needed.

We specifical call for commitments to:
• Invest in early intervention and prevention to break the cycle of violence.
• Fund culturally safe, place-based services in over 250 communities across the country.
• Align efforts with the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children, and the Closing the Gap targets.

As we await the election outcome, we remind our mob:

Your vote matters. Your voice is powerful. YOUR VOTE MATTERS

This election is a vital opportunity to call for continued support for the FVPLS sector - services that deliver specialised legal and non-legal support, grounded in culture and designed to meet the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children, families, and communities.

Let’s keep speaking up, turning out, and demanding action.
#FVPLS #EndViolence #FederalElection2025 #FNAAFV

Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, FNAAFV reaffirms our unwavering commitment to justice, safety, and self-determination for our peoples.

As a proud Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, we are led by strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...Islander women who have paved the way for our national advocacy, and who hold strong connection to community. It is with their knowledge and the knowledge of our members that we understand that systemic racism continues to harm our people – it drives the overrepresentation of our people in the child protection and criminal justice systems and creates barriers to accessing culturally safe family violence services. In fact, First Nations women are being murdered at rates up to 12 times higher than the national average*—this is a national crisis that demands urgent action.

We call on all governments and institutions to move beyond words—to listen, act, and be accountable in dismantling the systems that perpetuate racial injustice. Find out more here:
https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/race-discrimination/publications/international-day-elimination-racial-discrimination

#EliminateRacism #StopTheViolence #CommunityLedSolutions

*https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-24/murdered-and-missing-indigenous-women-four-corners/101546186

The Close the Gap Campaign has released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting the pivotal role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in advancing health equity and wellbeing.

This year's themes—agency, leadership, and reform—underscore the importance of ...Indigenous-led solutions in embedding the four Priority Reform Areas outlined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The report features nine case studies and a special contribution, showcasing tangible solutions and successes led by First Nations communities. We urge governments at all levels to honour their commitments to the National Agreement, ensuring that the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples are prioritised.

The report provides a roadmap for implementing and supporting community agency, paving the way for meaningful and sustainable change. To delve deeper into these insights and learn more about the path forward, access the full report here: https://closethegap.org.au/ctg-annual-reports/

#ClosetheGap #FVPLS #FNAAFV #EndViolence

Urgent Call for Enhanced Data and Accountability to Achieve Closing the Gap Targets

The latest Productivity Commission report (https://www.pc.gov.au/closing-the-gap-data/dashboard) reveals that only five of the 19 Closing the Gap targets are on track to be met by 2031, with four targets ...worsening. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for all levels of government—Federal, State, Territory, and Local—to step up and work together in a coordinated and sustained effort to address the disparities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

A particularly concerning area is Target 13, which aims to reduce the rate of all forms of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50% by 2031. Despite the critical importance of this target, the data required to measure progress remains woefully inadequate. This deficiency hampers our ability to implement effective strategies and monitor their impact, leaving our women and children vulnerable.

The lack of comprehensive data on family violence within Indigenous communities is unacceptable. Without accurate and timely information, policymakers and service providers are operating in the dark, unable to allocate resources effectively or evaluate the success of interventions. This gap not only undermines the integrity of the Closing the Gap initiative but also perpetuates the cycle of violence affecting our communities.

We call upon all levels of government to prioritize the collection and dissemination of detailed data related to Target 13. This includes:
• Standardised Reporting: Implementing uniform data collection protocols across jurisdictions to ensure consistency and comparability.
• Community Engagement: Collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop culturally appropriate data collection methods that respect privacy and encourage participation.
• Transparency: Regularly publishing data and progress reports to maintain public accountability and trust.

Furthermore, there must be robust accountability measures to ensure that commitments translate into tangible outcomes. Governments and agencies responsible for data collection and service delivery must be held accountable for their performance. This includes setting clear timelines, allocating sufficient resources, and establishing independent oversight mechanisms to monitor progress.

This is not just about data—it is about action, responsibility, and delivering real change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. All levels of government must work together to ensure that Target 13 is not just an aspirational goal but a measurable and achievable reality. Strengthened data collection and accountability are not bureaucratic exercises; they are fundamental to ending violence, protecting lives, and upholding justice in our communities. We cannot afford another year of inaction.

✨ International Women’s Day 2025 ✨

Today, we honour the strength, resilience, and leadership of the women in our sector who continue to press in, stand against family violence, and advocate for change. They are our giants of today. We recognise those who have paved the path before ...us, and we continue to work to this year’s theme to #AccelerateAction for gender equality.

We all deserve the right to feel and be safe in our communities, and every voice deserves to be heard. We will continue to advocate for self-determination and community-led solutions for all our women and children effected by domestic, family, and sexual violence.

This #IWD2025, we call for action, justice, and culturally safe support for our families.

#IWD2025 #FNAAFV #FVPLS

Our friends at Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit - CAAFLU currently have some great job opportunities available - give them a buzz to find out more! Or check them out here:
https://www.atsijobs.com.au/jobs/902
https://www.atsijobs.com.au/jobs/903
...https://www.atsijobs.com.au/jobs/904

One of our proudest moments from the past month was the amazing support shown to Ochre Ribbon Week (held February 12 – 19), which is a national campaign that created by our friends at Aboriginal Family Legal Services. Born out of tragedy, loss and resilience a decade ago, Ochre Ribbon Week has ...since grown into a national symbol of strength, unity, and hope 🧡

The support shown for the campaign has been amazing with so many events held across dozens of communities. What was truly spectacular was to see national monuments and locations light up across Australia, including in the birthplace of the campaign – Western Australia. How stunning did the Matagarup Bridge look glowing in orange?!

Congratulations to the Aboriginal Family Legal Services team for such a successful and impactful campaign.

#OchreRibbonWeek #OchreRibbon2025 #10YearsofOchreRibbon #DontSilenceTheViolence #FVPLS #FNAAFV

We’ve just lodged our submission to the Select Committee on Measuring Outcomes for First Nations Communities, shining a spotlight on how domestic, family, and sexual violence directly impacts critical Closing the Gap targets.

Our submission calls for:
• Accurate Data: Current ...systems often undercount or overlook the realities of violence, which limits the support available to First Nations women and children.
• Culturally Safe Services: Strengthening Family Violence Prevention Legal Services and investing in culturally informed approaches is essential for breaking the cycle of violence.
• Integrated, Long-Term Funding: Short-term or siloed programs don’t address root causes or allow for the holistic solutions our communities need.

By amplifying the voices of First Nations women and prioritising community-led, trauma-informed responses, we can reduce child removal, improve safety and wellbeing, and achieve genuine accountability across all levels of government. Together, we can pave the way for safer, healthier futures for our families and children.

#FVPLS #FNAAFV #ClosingTheGap #FamilyViolence #FirstNationsStrength #CommunityLed #DataMatters