The Minns Labor Government is strengthening support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children escaping abuse in regional and remote New South Wales, with a new culturally safe support program under the Staying in Community Leaving Violence (SiCLV) initiative.
Two Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations will deliver SiCLV in Western NSW and the mid-North Coast:
- Maranguka Ltd in Bourke LGA
- Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service in Kempsey and Nambucca LGA.
Two more SiCLV services will be delivered in Western NSW, with providers to be determined.
SiCLV is part of the broader Staying Home Leaving Violence Program that was expanded with a $25.9 million investment by the NSW Government.
The SiCLV program has been co-designed with Aboriginal communities, recognising the significant barriers many Aboriginal women face when seeking support, including concerns about losing their children, housing and connection to community.
It adopts a whole-of-family approach, working with all family members, including the person using violence, to drive long-term change and improve family safety.
SiCLV brings together services including NSW Police, housing, courts and non-government organisations to deliver coordinated and culturally safe support.
Based on BOCSAR data, Aboriginal women are eight times more likely to be recorded as victims of domestic and family violence. However, it is understood that only approximately 10 per cent of violence against Aboriginal woman and children is reported.
SiCLV is part of the Minns Government's work to expand specialist domestic and family violence services across the state, particularly to close gaps in support available in regional New South Wales.
Since Labor came to government, the total domestic and family violence program budget has been over 50 per cent higher than budgets leading up to the 2022/23 financial year. In every budget Labor has increased investment to address domestic and family violence. The government has also worked hard to address domestic and family violence by strengthening laws to protect victim-survivors and holding perpetrators to account, as well as invested in earlier intervention and primary prevention to stop violence before it starts.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
"The gap between the high rates of domestic and family violence in Aboriginal communities and non-Aboriginal communities, especially in the bush, is totally unacceptable.
"The roll out of SiCLV programs where they are really needed in Bourke, Kempsey and Nambucca is great news for these communities.
"All the evidence tells us that when Aboriginal community organisations drive change in partnership with Government, better outcomes are achieved and that's a key focus of this Government.
"We are continuing to turn our Closing the Gap commitments for shared decision making into action, by working with Aboriginal organisations to lead the way in keeping women and children safe.
"SiCLV is a wonderful example of shared decision-making leading to better outcomes."
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"Aboriginal women experience domestic and family violence at worryingly high rates, particularly in regional and remote communities.
"Through Staying in Community Leaving Violence, we are building on the strengths of our Staying Home Leaving Violence program while upholding Aboriginal self-determination. We are working closely with local Aboriginal communities, so it truly reflects solutions these communities have helped design and lead.
"By hearing the voices of communities in Bourke, Kempsey and Nambucca, this service will work with those that need support, programs and practical assistance to address domestic and family violence.
"This new program is part of our work to support recovery, so women and children can remain safely in their homes, connected to their families, culture and community."
Minister for Western NSW Tara Moriarty said:
"Aboriginal women in regional and remote NSW experience domestic and family violence at disproportionately high rates, and communities deserve solutions designed locally and delivered locally."
"The expansion of Staying in Community Leaving Violence into Bourke, Kempsey and Nambucca will empower Aboriginal organisations to lead culturally appropriate support for women and children."
"By partnering directly with regional communities, the program will help women and children remain safely connected to their homes, families, culture and community."
CEO Durri Aboriginal Corporation Medical Service Paul Morris said:
"Durri Aboriginal Corporation is proud to be selected as the local provider of the Staying in Community Leaving Violence Program across the Kempsey and Nambucca areas.
"As a community-controlled organisation with deep cultural and community connections, Durri is committed to delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed support that keeps Aboriginal women and families strongly connected to Country and live free from violence.
"This program reflects our belief that healing, safety and change are strongest when led by Aboriginal communities, for Aboriginal communities."
CEO Maranguka Kate Pargeter said:
"Maranguka's backbone team supports local collaboration across agencies, community stakeholders and emerging working groups focused on improving outcomes for children, young people and families in Bourke. Through this work, Maranguka continues to strengthen coordinated responses and community-led approaches that support safer and more effective service delivery.
"This experience strongly aligns with the development of the Staying in Community, Leaving Violence program, which will be co-designed with community to deliver culturally safe, place-based responses for families experiencing domestic and family violence.
"Maranguka is committed to taking a whole-of-family and whole-of-community approach to keeping families safe, strengthening healing pathways and ensuring responses are grounded in culture, collaboration and local community voice."
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For information on Men's Behaviour Change Programs operating in your local area, contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
