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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We’re so proud to support one of our fabulous members services - Aboriginal Family Legal Services - as they mark an amazing milestone in their fight against family and domestic violence in Aboriginal communities, by joining them in commemorating 10 Years of the Ochre Ribbon Campaign.
...Born out of tragedy, loss and resilience a decade ago, the Ochre Ribbon Campaign has since grown into a national symbol of strength, unity, and hope 🧡
The Campaign symbolises the collective voice of our people to stop violence and commit to fostering safer communities for our elders, men, women, and children. The colour and loop of the Ochre Ribbon represent the powerful connection to our lands and our lives – a connection that intersects with the understanding that we all require the support of each other.
This week, as we reflect on our strength and resilience, let’s commit to doing our bit to building safe communities.
The Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services (FVPLS) sector has long been a staunch supporter of the Ochre Ribbon Campaign, running community events and ensuring their communities know where to go and who to talk to when they need support.
To find out how you can support Ochre Ribbon Week, head to the AFLS website: https://afls.org.au/ochre-ribbon-campaign/
#OchreRibbonWeek #OchreRibbon2025 #10YearsofOchreRibbon #DontSilenceTheViolence #FVPLS #FNAAFV
The Federal Government currently has its hands on the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) report on Justice Responses to Sexual Violence—and the time for decisive action is now.
FNAAFV urgently calls on Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus to fast-track the report by tabling it before the ...imminent Federal Election, rather than delaying action for the full 15 parliamentary sitting days. This urgency is particularly critical for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who continue to experience alarmingly high rates of sexual violence and face unique barriers within our justice system.
Our sector’s frontline experience shows that the current system is failing many of our communities. In response, FNAAFV's submission has called for vital reforms that will empower our First Nations communities and enhance our place-based service delivery. These include:
1. Invest in Localised Solutions: Bolster both legal and non-legal service capacity to develop and implement tailored solutions for rural, remote, and very remote communities. Additional funding should increase staffing, expand counselling supports, enhance education programs, and enable more solicitors to represent our people.
2. Empower Community Self-Determination: Direct resources into communities so they can mobilise through self-determination practices, including education, Elder support, and community gatherings.
3. Strengthen the Sector: Invest in workforce training and skills uplift to ensure our teams have the expertise needed to provide effective support.
4. Reform Workforce Settings: Implement reforms to ensure salary parity and improved benefits for work in rural and remote areas, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce.
5. Support a National Peak Body: Invest in the FNAAFV to accelerate self-determined solutions for preventing domestic and family violence in First Nations communities and to expand its reach as the peak body.
6. Enhance Child Protection Systems: For the past 10 years we have been calling for financial and policy investments into a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child protection notification and referral system. This system should connect families in contact with child protection services to culturally appropriate supports and preventative legal advice as early as possible—especially when family violence is a factor.
7. Invest in Data Infrastructure: Strengthen data infrastructure and skills within FVPLSs to ensure the accurate and robust capture of data and measurement of outcomes.
These reforms are not merely recommendations—they are essential steps toward a justice system that truly supports and protects our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and all victim-survivors of sexual violence. We must harness this opportunity to drive urgent, transformative change.
Senator Malarndirri McCarthy - Northern Territory Katy Gallagher
#FVPLS #FNAAFV #CloseTheGap #EndDomesticViolence
2025 is off to a strong start for FNAAFV with our Board officially welcoming its inaugural Independent Director – Dr Warren Mundy.
We are so excited to announce Dr Mundy’s appointment to our growing Board as he brings a wealth of public policy and governance experience, and in-depth ...knowledge of our sector to the role.
Having led the ‘Independent Review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) 2020-25’, Dr Mundy is a trusted ally to the Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services (FVPLS) sector and a staunch supporter of their tireless efforts to deliver culturally safe legal and non-legal services to First Nations women and children.
“My motivation for supporting the FVPLS sector is to make a contribution to Closing The Gap and to help organisations improve their governance and understanding of public policy and government in order to address disadvantage,” Dr Mundy said of his appointment to the FNAAFV Board.
We look forward to Dr Mundy’s leadership and insights as we continue to grow and make an impact for our communities affected by domestic, family, and sexual violence.
#FVPLS #FNAAFV #EndDomesticViolence #ClosingTheGap
Earlier today, First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV) appeared at the Public Hearing on Australia’s youth justice and incarceration system, urging immediate and comprehensive reforms to address the crisis of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in detention.
...Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children make up only 6% of Australia’s youth population yet account for nearly half of all young people in detention. In some jurisdictions—like the Northern Territory—this figure reaches 95%. These numbers reflect a system that disproportionately punishes our children instead of supporting them, with devastating long-term consequences including mental health trauma, educational disruption, and loss of cultural identity.
FNAAFV’s submission highlights how current detention practices often breach international human rights standards, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The use of solitary confinement, force, and the incarceration of children as young as ten years old are clear violations of these obligations. FNAAFV stresses the urgent need to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to at least 14.
Our Call to Action:
1. End Harmful Practices
- Eliminate solitary confinement, strip searches, and the use of restraints on children.
2. Embed Community-Led Solutions
- Prioritise investment in Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) for
culturally safe, trauma-informed youth justice responses.
3. Transform the Justice System
- Align national minimum standards with Closing the Gap targets and ensure formal
partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
4. Raise the Minimum Age
- Immediately raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14, in line with
international standards.
FNAAFV emphasises that we cannot “imprison our way” out of this crisis. Instead, long-term investment in culturally safe, community-led alternatives is essential to break the cycle of youth incarceration and create brighter futures for our children.
#FNAAFV #FVPLS #EndDFSV #ClosingTheGap
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.
