Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS) will gather experts from around the country in Cairns this month to help tackle indigenous domestic and family violence (DFV).
The three-day Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence Forum from 28-30 May will focus on community-led, whole-of-family solutions aimed at those responsible for designing and delivering indigenous policies, programs and services.
More than a dozen speakers will include QIFVLS CEO Wynetta Davis; QIFVLS Principal Legal Officer Thelma Schwartz; Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin; academics, and leaders of indigenous social support organisations.
Forum topics will include First Nations domestic and family violence (DFV) policy; prevention of family violence toward elders; culturally safe rehabilitation for men; services in remote and regional communities; child protection and early intervention; and supporting women victims of DFV.
Wynetta said the event was timely, given the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan announced last year as a stand-alone action plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
“For the second year in a row, QIFVLS is proud to host this important opportunity for community leaders to come together with government organisations, legal services, law enforcement, social services, cultural healers and Elders to discuss their initiatives to put an end to family violence in First Nations communities,” she said.
“The work being done on the ground in community is already having inspiring impacts on families and individuals, but the rest of Australia must put their efforts behind elevating these grassroots initiatives so that they can reach the people who need them most.
“Together, we hold the solutions to break cycles of violence and to heal our families and communities.”
Day three of the forum will offer an on-country workshop on Wunyami/Green Island, in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park off Cairns. A cultural tour of the island will be followed by an interactive session by Gindaja Treatment and Healing Indigenous Corporation designed to help organisations provide holistic, culturally safe justice support to indigenous people who have experienced DFV.
For information and to register, visit the website.
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