The National FVPLS Forum was established in May 2012 and is the National Peak Body for Family Violence Prevention Services (FVPLS) around Australia that provide culturally safe and holistic services to First Nations people affected by family violence – predominantly women and their children. The National FVPLS Forum provides expert national policy advice in areas of policy, planning and law reform, and advocates for safety and justice for First Nations people affected by family violence.
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
Three (3) in five (5) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have experienced physical or sexual violence. First Nations women are also 34 times more likely to be hospitalized due to family violence than non-indigenous women and 11 times more likely to die due to assault (AIHW 2019 p.113). Family violence is also the primary driver of First Nations children into out-of-home care, and 88% of Aboriginal children in care have experienced family violence. Family violence has been associated with various negative health impacts, including higher rates of miscarriage, pre-term birth and low birthweight, depression, anxiety, suicide and other long-term health consequences for women and children (AIHW 2019 p.115).
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.
The National Forum 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 National Forum 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, the National Forum 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 know from our work and the communities that our sector supports, that sometimes when people are having a hard time they won't always share their troubles.
That's why days like today are so important and highlight that the simple act of asking 'R U OK?' can have such ...a profound effect on someone who is struggling.
This years' campaign has a simple message: Ask your mob, in your way, R U OK?
First Nations Peoples share a special connection to Country and to each other, through culture, community and shared experience. Regardless of where they live, or who their mob is, everyone can go through tough times. That’s why it’s important to always be looking out for each other.
Because we're Stronger Together.
For more information head to https://www.ruok.org.au/
What a fabulous initiative - congrats team!
Such a powerful song with a powerful message.
A song of children being swept away - NPY Women's Council
https://youtu.be/16cxFG5yUL4 Margaret Smith and Rene Kulitja sing a song describing children being taken away by a “whirly – whirly”, the song...
www.npywc.org.auOur friends at the Far West Community Legal Centre are looking to fill several vacancies within the Warra Warra Legal Service with the recruitment of two permanent solicitors.
Warra Warra is based in Broken Hill, NSW, and is a specialist Family Violence Prevention Legal Service (FVPLS) ...that provides trauma informed, culturally safe services to communities.
The roles provide opportunities to join a warm, welcoming and vibrant team, and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the Far West with legal support, advocacy and representation.
Full details about the roles, including how to apply, are available via the Seek link below.
Multiple opportunities for solicitors in our Warra Warra Legal Service
www.seek.com.au
The National Forum 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.
