Early intervention programs for Domestic violence victims
By NEVE BRISSENDEN
Aboriginal victims of domestic violence and their families will have access to more specialist and early intervention services.
The NSW government has received $13 million to fund Safe and Strong programs across the State.
The programs support victims and their children who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing family violence, through early intervention.
They will get access to counselling, supported playgroups, and specialised case workers.
The workers will help participants identify early indicators of violence and support them through trauma-informed and culturally appropriate responses.
Federal Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the funding was part of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.
“To achieve our goal of ending gender-based violence in one generation, we need to provide genuine support for our young men and boys now,” she said.
“This includes work that will have a specific focus on supporting First Nations children and young people.”
The programs will be rolled out across eleven Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and be delivered to another 22 locations by early 2025.
NSW Families Minister Kate Washington said children who enter child protection often have family violence trauma.
“The Safe and Strong program is designed to stop the cycle of abuse by identifying families at risk and offering timely support so more Aboriginal children can stay safely with their families,” she said.
Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Women’s Centre chief executive Ashlee Donohue said the program had her support.
“Using a family approach through early intervention, we will continue to deliver culturally safe and trauma-informed support services to families,” she said.
“By identifying early indicators of violence, we can support families who are at risk of family violence and stop the violence before it starts.”
More than fifty women have died in 2024 from family violence, and Indigenous women are 32 times more likely to be hospitalised for family violence than non-Indigenous people, according to the Institute of Health and Welfare.
AAP
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