Crucial supports for Aboriginal victims of family violence in the Hunter region

29 November 2024

Aboriginal victim-survivors of family violence and their children will receive crucial, early intervention supports following the NSW Government’s roll-out of the Safe and Strong program in the Hunter region.

Safe and Strong demonstrates the government’s commitment to ending domestic and family violence and preventing the cycle of abuse in the community.

Safe and Strong is funded through a $13 million investment under the National Partnership Agreement with the Commonwealth Government.

It uses a dual model of early intervention support for both victim-survivors and their children who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, family violence.

Service providers will deliver specialist early supports such as counselling, family capacity building, and supported playgroups.

Caseworkers will help families to identify early signs of violence in their homes, and deliver therapeutic, trauma-informed and culturally safe support focusing on the needs and experiences of victim-survivors and their children.

Eleven Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) will deliver Safe and Strong in 10 priority locations across NSW, including:

• Maitland and Cessnock: Mindarriba Aboriginal Land Council - a social, health and learning hub for the local Aboriginal community. Mindarriba is dedicated to connecting with members of the community and is focussed on helping those who need it most.

• Port Stephens: Warlga Ngurra – a specialist early intervention and homelessness service for women and their children operating throughout the Hunter including Raymond Terrace and Karuah. Warlga Ngurra empowers vulnerable individuals, enabling them to fully participate in the social and economic aspects of life in the local community. 

Aboriginal-led, trauma-informed and culturally safe strategies recognise the importance of culture, connection to Country and the role of men’s and women’s business in responding to and healing from family violence.

This project is funded for 12 months and will be independently evaluated to measure its impact and effectiveness.

Safe and Strong demonstrates the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to addressing family violence within our communities and aligns with the objectives of the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Plan 2022-2027.

Federal Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said:

“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.

“That’s why the Albanese Labor Government has worked to elevate the voices of children in the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.

“We have invested $4 billion to deliver the National Plan and our Government is proud to invest in supports that will lead to long-term change and provide meaningful support to young men and boys to help them break the cycle of violence, as well as support victim-survivors.”

Minister for Families and Communities and Member for Port Stephens, Kate Washington said:

“Evidence shows that early intervention supports can have a direct impact in building resilience for children and young people who are experiencing family violence.  

“Any child experiencing family violence is one child too many. We are doing all we can to tackle this abhorrent horror in the Port Stephens and Hunter community by delivering supports that are aimed to help victims heal and recover.

“This is an important program to help Aboriginal families and communities in the Hunter stay safe and end the cycle of abuse in their homes.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Member for Maitland, Jenny Aitchison said:

“The Safe and Strong funding is a welcome addition to the outstanding supports delivered by Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council to families and individuals in the Maitland area.”

“It was great to see that Mindaribba had been identified as one of the eleven Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to be listed in the top 10 priority locations in NSW.”

“Making sure that Aboriginal People in Maitland can access culturally appropriate and sensitive supports driven by their own communities is a priority that can now be met with increased efficiency.”

“At a time when domestic and family violence is at a critical high, the delivery of these funds through the Department of Communities and Justice adds another layer of recognition to the rights of men, women and children to live safely in a violence-free environment.”

Chief Executive Officer Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council, Tara Dever said:

“The Safe and Strong funding marks a significant shift in the way the NSW Government is addressing and listening to Aboriginal Voices.

“As Aboriginal People we have long sought the opportunity for Mob to be able to access community driven trauma informed supports in a culturally safe space.

“All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, men and women have the right to live with full human dignity in a safe, violent free environment, including one free of family violence.

“The Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council is elated to now be able to deliver a wraparound service that is driven by community for community.”

Manager Warlga Ngurra Women and Children’s Refuge, Belinda Reed said:

“We are deeply honoured and excited to receive the Safe and Strong funding from the Department of Communities and Justice.

“This support will enable Warlga Ngurra to strengthen our vital work with Aboriginal women and their children, providing early intervention and support for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

“Our community faces unique challenges, and this funding will help us deliver culturally safe, responsive services that empower women, children, and families to heal, thrive, and break the cycle of violence.

“Together, we can create stronger, safer futures for our people.”