Family violence and Aboriginal communities

Throughout this page the term ‘Aboriginal’ is used to refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).

Information for Aboriginal Communities

Everyone has the right to be free of violence or the fear of violence. Everyone wants to feel safe and respected in their family and relationships.

Family violence occurs and is considered unacceptable in all communities and cultures.

In Australia, family violence is against the law. We are here to help people in need and uphold the law.

We have created an information sheet that explains the police response when receiving a report of family violence.

Download the information sheet below, or contact your local Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer to request a copy.

Community protocols

One of the key strategies to address family violence in Aboriginal communities are the Police and Aboriginal Community Protocols Against Family Violence (PACPAFV).

The PACPAFVs have been developed to outline how police and community work together to best respond to family violence.

About the Protocols

The Protocols are an agreement between local Aboriginal communities and Victoria Police that document the local police response to family violence where a person identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal).

Aim of the Protocols

The Protocols aim to:

• build positive relationships between Victorian Aboriginal communities
• strengthen the police response to incidents of family violence in Aboriginal communities

The longer-term goal is to reduce:

• the number of family violence incidents, and
• the rates of families experiencing repeated incidents of family violence.

For more information and to request a guide to developing the PACPAFVs, email FVC-OSU-MGR@police.vic.gov.au to get in touch with the Family Violence Command.

Governance

The Protocols reflect a trilateral partnership between:

• the Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum
• Aboriginal Justice Forum (AJF), and
• Victoria Police.

The Protocols are supported at a state-wide level by the State-wide Steering Group (SSG). The SSG is accountable to the Partnership Forum and the AJF to ensure that the expansion of the Protocols state-wide meet the aims and objectives of the program. Membership includes senior representatives (both internal and external) from key stakeholder groups.

Each Protocol site has a Local Reference Group (LRG) which is responsible for:

• developing and implementing the Protocols, and
• monitoring and reporting to SSG on progress of the Protocol post implementation.

The LRG should include representation from local key stakeholder groups, and be co-chaired by:

• Victoria Police
• Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees (RAJAC)
• Dhelk Dja Chairpersons

Achieving the aim

The Protocols ensure that at a family violence incident, police determine if any participant identifies as Aboriginal.

This ensures people have access to a culturally safe referral and the choice of referral to either an Aboriginal or Non-Aboriginal support agency.

Protocols development

The need for improvements to the police response to family violence in the Aboriginal community had been identified in a number of forums and prioritised in several key government documents:

• Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework
• Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement
• Strong Culture, Strong People, Strong Families (10 Year Plan).

Where the Protocols operate

There are currently 10 Protocol sites operating in the following locations:

• Dandenong
• Mildura
• Geelong
• Warrnambool
• Echuca
• Swan Hill
• Horsham
• Latrobe
• Bairnsdale
• Shepparton.

Seven additional Protocol sites are being established and are expected to launch in late 2023, in the following locations:

• Moonee Valley
• Darebin
• St Kilda
• Hastings
• Ballarat
• Lilydale
• Wodonga.

The Protocols are designed to be living documents and are currently in the process of being updated.

Support services

Some ACCOs that specialise in family violence which can assist are:

• Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria (FVPLS)(opens in a new window) (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) legal and support services to prevent family violence 1800 105 303
• Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)(opens in a new window) (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) and 24 hour on call legal advice 1800 064 865 / 03 9418 5999
• Elizabeth Morgan House, Aboriginal Women's Services(opens in a new window) support services for Aboriginal women and children who have experienced family violence (Mon-Thu 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-4pm) 9482 5744
• Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Association (VACCA)(opens in a new window) for state-wide referral
• Koorie Connect(opens in a new window) (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) a culturally friendly space for community members to drop in, get assistance and referrals to a range of culturally appropriate mainstream and Aboriginal services 1800 993 783
• Dardi Munwurro(opens in a new window) delivers a range of family violence, healing and behaviour change programs and services to Aboriginal men and youth. Phone: 1800 435 799 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
• Djirra (opens in a new window)Aboriginal Family Violence Response and Support Centre(opens in a new window). Djirra provide practical support to all Aboriginal women and people who are currently experiencing family violence or have in the past. Phone: 1800 105 303 (9am - 9pm, Monday to Friday)