Media Release in response to https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-fund-support-aboriginal-family-violence-sector
24 September 2020
The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) applauds the Victorian government’s recent announcement of funding for Aboriginal led family violence program through the Dhelk Dja Family Violence Fund. VACCA, as the largest provider of Aboriginal family violence services in the state we work holistically with women, men, young people, and children affected by family violence providing support in prevention, early intervention, intervention, and crisis family violence programs.
We know from ‘Always Was Always Will Be, Koori Children’ report that family violence, alongside parental AOD issues, is the leading cause for Aboriginal children to enter out-of-home-care. Our therapeutic, trauma-informed programs work intensively with the family unit as a whole.
The impact of COVID-19 of Aboriginal families has been immense, and families now face many complex issues which have been exasperated due to the pandemic including housing insecurity and homelessness, AOD, legal, social and emotional wellbeing, education and employment. This funding will allow Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to work with the community in providing a suite of culturally safe, trauma-informed family violence and healthy respectful relationships programs.
VACCA commends the government’s commitment to advancing Aboriginal self-determination and this funding will allow VACCA and other Aboriginal Family Violence Services to enhance our programs to meet the community needs over the next two years.