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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.

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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:

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

Three (3) in five (5) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have experienced physical or sexual violence. First Nations women are also 34 times more likely to be hospitalized due to family violence than non-indigenous women and 11 times more likely to die due to assault (AIHW 2019 p.113). Family violence is also the primary driver of First Nations children into out-of-home care, and 88% of Aboriginal children in care have experienced family violence. Family violence has been associated with various negative health impacts, including higher rates of miscarriage, pre-term birth and low birthweight, depression, anxiety, suicide and other long-term health consequences for women and children (AIHW 2019 p.115).

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.

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🖤💛❤️ NAIDOC Week 2025 ❤️💛🖤

“The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”

This NAIDOC Week, we honour our ancestors, the strength of our communities, and the vision of our young leaders paving the way forward.

As the national peak body for ...the FVPLS sector, we see firsthand the power of intergenerational leadership. Our member services stand with women, children and families—protecting culture, advancing justice, and walking alongside those creating safer, stronger futures.

This week, we invite you to lift up our young people. Listen to the voices of young First Nations leaders. Stand with them as they lead us forward. Support the work of frontline services. Share stories that carry strength, vision, and legacy.

#NAIDOC2025 #NextGeneration #FVPLS #FNAAFV

Register your interest in joining the FNAAFV Community of Practice & attend our July meeting.

Our national Community of Practice is growing, and you’re invited to join the more than 130 members whose shared goal is to create alliances and networks aimed at reducing violence in our ...communities, in line with Target 13 of Closing the Gap National Agreement.

Driven and led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), the group is establishing a broad, inclusive partnership with ACCOs and grassroots mainstream services committed to building the capacity of the sector to work together on the 4 Priority Reforms of the Closing the Gap.

Each month the group gathers online to learn from each other, share solutions, ideas, legislative changes and challenges to work together to address family violence in our communities. At each meeting we will hear from an expert in their field.

This month’s guest speaker is Katie Kiss - Social Justice Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Commissioner’s discussion will focus on the concept of Rebuilding the Village – everyone having a role to play and a contribution to make.

“We are undoing the damage by rebuilding a village that respects and values senior cultural authority, strengthens families, and empowers the younger generations to come together,” - Commissioner Kiss.

Commissioner Kiss will also share about the Social Justice team’s Informing the Agenda national consultations and other key priorities she has set for the rest of her term, including advocacy for greater Aboriginal self-determination and the transformation of government systems and structures currently impacting on the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

📅 Date: Thursday, July 17
⏰ Time: 11:30am – 12:45pm AEST
📍 REGISTER your interest in joining our Community of Practice and attend the next meeting https://firstnationsadvocatesagainstfamilyviolence.snapforms.com.au/form/fnaafv-community-of-practice-registration

This coming week, we honour and celebrate our strong and enduring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, our culture, and our achievements as part of NAIDOC Week’s “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy" celebrations.

NAIDOC Week, held from July 6 to 13, is a... time to come together to celebrate, share, reflect, learn, and listen to our stories - an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations culture and history and join in celebrations of one of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

If you’re looking for a local event to attend, FVPLS' and communities across Australia will be hosting events all week, sharing their culture through art and storytelling, food and celebration, so find an event near you here: https://www.naidoc.org.au/local-events/local-naidoc-week-events

#NAIDOC2025 #NextGeneration #FVPLS #FNAAFV

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.

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