NHMRC is investing $6.7 million in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research to improve family safety and wellbeing. The funding will support work that builds on cultural knowledge, strengthens communities, and delivers evidence that can make a real difference on the ground.
Administered under the Targeted Call for Research (TCR): Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health - addressing violence for safer families and communities grant opportunity - 2 multidisciplinary research teams will aim to embed culturally safe, trauma informed and community driven approaches to improve the safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.
Violence against women, children and gender diverse people is a societal problem. However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and gender diverse people are disproportionally affected by violence.
Professor Marcia Langton AO from the University of Melbourne aims to improve understanding of the experiences of families affected by family violence and child removals.
This Aboriginal led project will also develop an accessible map of evidence to prevent and reduce impacts of family violence, codesign a toolkit for community led programs and implement a novel tool to increase identification and support for pregnant women experiencing family violence.
Charles Sturt University researcher, Professor Faye McMillan AM, will lead research that aims to improve cultural safety of workplaces through governance, manager training and peer support.
Delivered in partnership with health services across regional New South Wales, this project supports national goals to address violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare workers.
A TCR is a one time request for grant applications to address a specific health issue where there is a significant research knowledge gap or unmet need.
Full details of the researchers and projects funded are available to download on NHMRC's outcomes of funding rounds page.
Quotes attributable to NHMRC CEO, Professor Steve Wesselingh:
"NHMRC's commitment to expanding research capacity and producing data that is co-designed will empower communities, foster resilience and support national adoption of effective models of care, eventually leading to safer and healthier futures for all Australians.
"Through focusing on strengths based community led partnerships and ensuring our research is culturally responsive, we are laying the foundation for health and medical research that truly meets the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
"Well done to the researchers and their teams receiving funding under this announcement."
