Welcome to a new era of self-determination for the National Family Violence Prevention & Legal Services Forum, and its evolution to:
First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence
As of July 1, 2024, the National Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services Forum (the Forum) will operate as a standalone incorporated identity under the new company structure, strategic plan, name, and brand identity of First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAVF).
The FNAAFV name and brand identity is representative of the evolution of the organisation to a self-determined, community-controlled, national peak body. While our name may be changing, we remain steadfastly committed to creating a future where all First Nations communities and individuals live free from the devastating impacts of family violence.
Learn more about the evolution of the FNAAFV brand in our company brand FACT SHEET.
'Community Connections' artwork by Nikita Herd.
Rates of violence against First Nations women are 34 times higher than other women in Australia, and up to 80 times in the worst areas of the country
The scale of the problem is much greater than this, however, because it is known that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are less likely than other women to report family violence or to seek support because of judgment, discrimination, shame or fear. The health and wellbeing of First Nations children depends upon the safety and resilience of First Nations women and families, so addressing family violence is a central priority in eliminating inter-generational disadvantage and discrimination against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.
FNAAFV works with its FVPLS members, communities, governments and other partners to raise awareness about family violence effecting First Nations people, and to advocate for culturally safe legal and other holistic responses to this issue. The organisation provides a unified voice for its FVPLS members in areas of national policy, planning and law reform, and being a member of the national Coalition of Peaks, FNAAFV is committed to the national Closing the Gap targets, including Target 13:
- “Target 13: By 2031, the rate of all forms of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children is reduced at least by 50%, as progress towards zero.”
Read more about the Closing The Gap Targets and the Priority Reforms of the National Agreement.
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Join the conversation on our FNAAFV social channels
Today is a reminder to check in with friends, family, and colleagues because someone in your mob might be going through a tough time and they won't always tell you.
We can all go through hard times, times when we don’t feel great about our lives or ourselves. That’s why it’s ...important to always be looking out for each other. Because we're Stronger Together.
A simple “R U OK?” can make a world of difference. Let’s spread kindness and support each other because together, we can make mental health a priority. 💛
https://www.ruok.org.au/
First Nations ideas and voices are needed to help inform a new Bill that is designed to facilitate truth telling and achieving First Nations justice.
Submissions to The Truth and Justice Commission Bill 2024, which you can find information on, have been extended until September 20.
...
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander_Affairs/TruthandJusticeBill24.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a transformative Bill to Parliament that acknowledges the rich history of First Nations Peoples, addresses the impacts of colonisation, and works towards healing and closing the gap.
We’re in the process of preparing our submission, along with critical input from our members in the FVPLS sector.
Submissions can be made in many forms - artwork, song, film, dance, photography, and prose, as well as standard submissions and can include discussion of the proposed model; the powers of the proposed Commission; the reporting and accountability structures; protocols for hearings; the staff and resourcing for the Commission; and anything else you feel useful to include.
We welcome today's announcement of a $3.9 billion package to support frontline specialist and legal services to address gender-based violence, and look forward to gaining clarity on how it will apply to the FVPLS sector.
Our full response to the funding announcement is available on ...our website: https://fnaafv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Media-Release_3.9B-Applauded-by-Grassroots-Providers.pdf
We note and support the recommendations made in the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches report, which are echoed in several other recently-released reports, and call for the Government to act now by investing in the FVPLS sector to expand its resources to meet the growing demand for support in ...our communities.
Our full response to the report is available on our website: https://fnaafv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MEDIAR1-1.pdf
We were privileged to facilitate the inaugural gathering of a national grassroots network of domestic, family, and sexual violence organisations (Community of Practice) this morning, as we join forces on our shared mission to reduce family violence in our communities.
Thank you to those ...organisations who registered and attended the meeting. We look forward to moving forward on this great cause with you all.
You can read more about the Community of Practice in our media release here: https://fnaafv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Media-Release_Community-of-Practice.pdf
If your organisation is interested in joining the Community of Practice, you can learn more about the group on our website: https://fnaafv.org.au/community-of-practice/
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FNAAFV acknowledges and respects the traditional custodians whose lands we are fortunate to live and work on and we pay our respects to all Elders past and present.
