Key projects to assist local Indigenous families.

Three local Indigenous organisations are set to receive funding for programs aimed at tackling family violence Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced today.

Mr Bull said family violence was a significant issue for both indigenous and non-indigenous communities, and programs such as these aimed to promote awareness and education of family violence within the local community.

The three local projects include:

$21,000 - Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention Legal Service  - Sista’s day out.  This project will run workshops including the provision of practical and accessible information around family violence, laws, support and referral networks.

$15,000 - Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust - Family Violence Awareness Project.  Aims to promote awareness of family violence derived from ‘Take back the night’ and ‘White Ribbon’ principles where local men will take the oath not to commit violence against women and children.

$12,000 - Lakes Entrance Local Indigenous Network – Mr and Mrs NAIDOC 2014.  This year’s event will focus on family violence prevention and awareness, with contestants asked for their opinion, as role models in their community, as to how family violence can be addressed.

Minister for Community Services, Mary Wooldridge, said a range of projects that tackle family violence in Aboriginal communities will be implemented across Victoria.

“The projects are funded through the Indigenous Family Violence Community Initiative Fund and support the Indigenous Family Violence Strategy – a community-led initiative that aims to prevent, reduce and respond to family violence in Aboriginal communities,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Groups, which have been established across Victoria, have been very active in developing local responses and are to be congratulated for their commitment.

“It is encouraging to see Aboriginal communities involved in such varied work to address family violence.”

Thirty-nine projects have been funded through the Community Initiative Fund in 2013-14.

For information on the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2013-2018 visit: http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/aboriginal-affairs/aboriginal-affairs-policy/victorian-aboriginal-affairs-framework