Activity details
The Aboriginal Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Court Support Program has been established in direct response to all 4 Priority Reforms and Targets 10 and 13 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement). The Program implements cultural and trauma informed support within both the court and community environments. It is directly focused on reducing the percentage of Aboriginal people experiencing or using violence by addressing the underlying causes of violence. It also supports systematic service improvement. The Government has committed $2.2 million over 2 years for the project.
Implementation progress update
The Transforming Aboriginal Outcomes FV team within the Department of Communities and Justice and the ASU are leading a joint initiative to develop and implement the Aboriginal DFV Court Support Project (the project).
The project has been established in direct response to the National Agreement Priority Reforms and Targets 10 and 13. It also aligns strategically to the NSW DFV Plan 2022 – 2027 and the NSW Aboriginal Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Plan (DFSV) (commencing in November), as it is directly focused on reducing the percentage of Aboriginal people experiencing or using violence by addressing the underlying causes of violence and also supports systematic service improvement.
The project provides an opportunity to implement and evaluate a cultural and trauma informed pilot program within the both the court and community environment. The project focuses on self-determination and community healing and recovery by providing a holistic and strengths-based program that is informed by Aboriginal ways of working.
Development of this project allows an opportunity to enhance system responses for Aboriginal people experiencing DFV by addressing the underlying causes of violence through a case management approach to service delivery. In doing so, the project will provide clients with practical support, diversionary support and therapeutic interventions. The project will leverage off of existing Aboriginal and Safer Pathways programs in Moree and Gunnedah to integrate services and support referrals into programs.
Work to scope and develop this initiative alongside community began in June 2023. Upon completion of the project design, the service will be delivered locally within Moree and Gunnedah from early 2024, for a period of 2 years.
An evaluation will be undertaken to assess service effectiveness as well as justice and socioecological outcomes for Aboriginal people involved in the project. The evaluation will also allow the opportunity to assess the sustainability, scalability and integration of the model across further NSW locations.
More information
- Learn about the National Plan to End Violence against women and children 2022-2032.
- Read the First Action Plan 2023-2027.
- Browse the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan update.