11 SEPTEMBER 2026
New national data released this week demonstrates the disturbing scale of domestic, family and sexual violence that’s increasingly experienced by Aboriginal people, particularly women and young people.
The Australian Government’s Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission annual report found the intimate partner homicide rate for First Nations women has risen every year since the 2022-23 baseline, and is now, alarmingly, more than double the baseline rate. Hospitalisation rates for Aboriginal children also rose sharply.
The data shows we’re moving further from the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, which seeks a 50 per cent reduction in family violence and abuse against women and children by 2031.
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA), Victoria’s largest provider of family violence services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, recently made a submission to the Department of Social Services to help shape the next five-year plan to end violence against women and children.
VACCA CEO, Muriel Bamblett, recently appointed to the newly established National Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Advisory Council, said the data reflects a failing system that’s weighted towards crisis response, and one that urgently needs more investment in understanding the issues, and delivering early intervention and prevention programs.
“Violence against Aboriginal women and children is more than a gendered issue,” said Ms Bamblett. “For Aboriginal people, it’s a failure of mainstream cross-sector systems.”
“We want to see long-term, proportionate investment where it’s needed, and that’s with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs), to build a stronger, culturally grounded evidence base on the dynamics of violence and to deliver prevention and early intervention programs that actually work.”
Ms Bamblett said this must include building on and expanding therapeutic models of care that address the psychological and developmental impacts of trauma.
“What’s needed is a real shift away from approaches that adapt existing systems for Aboriginal people, to a complete transformation of systems.” Ms Bamblett said.
One of the fastest-growing cohorts experiencing and using violence in Victoria is young people aged 15 to 20. The current service system is not equipped to support these young people. Lack of tailored services makes it difficult for young people to access case management, accommodation, early intervention, prevention support, and education about respectful relationships.
The Commission’s report confirms that the child protection and justice systems, the systems that are meant to protect us, are often the ones causing harm. Systemic racism and bias across police, courts, child protection and mainstream services significantly impact the outcomes Aboriginal people experience when accessing support.
Investment in ACCOs is crucial. We must be resourced to deliver and evaluate early intervention, prevention, family preservation and reunification programs. This is how we divert Aboriginal families from entering the system in the first place, which avoids long-term harms and ongoing contact with statutory systems.
“ACCOs work holistically with Aboriginal families. We know what’s needed to prevent and respond to domestic, family and sexual violence.” Ms Bamblett said. “The critical gap is sustained investment, the ability to reform systems and practices, and accountability for outcomes,” said Ms Bamblett.
“The Department’s next 5-year plan (2027-2032) must provide the mechanisms and resources to bring about the change needed to keep Aboriginal women and children safe.”
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Simone Egger - Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
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