The National FVPLS Forum was established in May 2012 and is the National Peak Body for Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (FVPLS) around Australia that provide culturally safe and holistic services to First Nations people affected by family violence – predominantly women and 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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Another woman’s life taken - this is not acceptable. We all have a role to play… we all need to step up to change the staggering rates of violence against all women. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-09/alleged-murder-clunes-woman-hannah-mcguire-national-tragedy/103684480
Are you an emerging Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artist, or do you know someone who can help us tell our story with some beautiful artwork?
We're looking to commission an amateur artist or art collective to bring the Forum's story to life.
Calling all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Amateur Artists! We're seeking to commission an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander amateur artist/amateur artist collective to design & create a unique art piece that tells our story. Find out more here: https://t.co/nEUzPrhiHO
The latest public hearing in the Missing and Murdered First Nations Women and Children Inquiry is in Brisbane tomorrow. We will keep a close watching brief on the deliberations of this and any subsequent hearings while we await the release of the final report in June.
Calling all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Amateur Artists! We're seeking to commission an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander amateur artist/amateur artist collective to design & create a unique art piece that tells our story. Find out more here: ...https://nationalfvpls.org/research-submissions/invitation-for-expression-of-interest-eoi-artwork-commission-for-the-forum/
Ochre Ribbon Week's "Don't Silence the Violence" campaign starts on Monday & there are plenty of ways to get involved. To find out how to support the event contact Aboriginal Family Legal Services on: 1800 469 246; E: office@afls.org.au; http://www.afls.org.au
Experts tell coroner domestic violence 'flourishes' in the NT. Short term funding is part of the reason.
Coroner Elisabeth Armitage has reopened her series of coronial inquests into the domestic violence-related killings of four Aboriginal women for its...
www.abc.net.auIt’s time to prioritise funding for existing under-resourced, community-controlled holistic legal services over costly and drawn out royal commissions #RoyalCommission #FVPLS
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.
