Don’t Silence the Violence – 10th Anniversary of Ochre Ribbon Campaign

By PETER ROWE

The Aboriginal Family Legal Services has chosen February 12 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Ochre Ribbon Campaign to honour a young Aboriginal girl who tragically took her own life on February 12, 1999.

The Ochre Ribbon Campaign is a national initiative dedicated to raising awareness of family and domestic violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Her death led to significant inquiries, including the Sue Gordon Inquiry, which highlighted systemic failures in addressing family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities.

In 2015, the Ochre Ribbon Campaign was launched, symbolising the connection of Aboriginal people to the land and the strength of cultural unity in overcoming violence.

The campaign was inspired by the death of a woman in Meekatharra in 2014. Her family, supported by the AFLS Kalgoorlie Office, honoured her memory by creating ribbons for her funeral—a moment that sparked a movement to address family and domestic violence in Aboriginal communities.

It stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience of our communities and the need for proactive action to create safer environments for all.

“The prevalence in Aboriginal communities is devastating, and addressing this requires a serious commitment to investing in community-led organisations,” Corina Martin, CEO of Aboriginal Family Legal Services, said.

“Family and domestic violence isn’t just a statistic—it’s a reality for so many of our women and children. The prevalence in Aboriginal communities is devastating, and addressing this requires a serious commitment to investing in community-controlled organisations.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 35 times more likely to be victims of domestic violence and seven times more likely to be victims of domestic homicide than other Australian women.

Between 1989 and 2023, 476 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women were victims of homicide, highlighting a rate up to seven times the national average. 97 per cent of these victims were killed by someone they knew, most by an intimate partner.

Support the Cause. Wear the Ochre Ribbon this February to show your commitment to ending family violence.

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