Launch of First Nations national plan to end family, domestic and sexual violence

We are proud to launch Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026–2036 (Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices).

Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices is the first national plan of its kind. It sets a pathway forward for long-term change over the next 10 years. It calls on governments, communities and organisations to work together to create a safer future. One where we respect and strengthen culture, kinship and connection to Country.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples developed the plan in partnership with Australian, state and territory governments. It comes from deep listening and consultation. It answers decades of calls from communities to stop the high rates of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. 

Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices has 5 threads. When woven together, they will create a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children live free from violence: 

Voice, agency and self-determination

• Every decision is shaped by community voice, leadership, and wisdom.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led solutions that are strengths-based, preventive and healing

• Support honours story and culture. Approaches to solutions are trauma-responsive and community-led.

Reforming the institutions and systems that impact safety

• Each system is a thread that, when reformed, strengthens the whole:
  • justice
  • health
  • housing
  • family and social supports
  • education
  • disability services
  • child protection

Strengthening evidence, research and data, embedding Indigenous data sovereignty

• Community owning their data and stories means the research woven into this work is:
  • ethical
  • trustworthy
  • culturally sensitive
  • fit for communities

Breaking the cycle through strengthened housing and financial security

• Safe housing and fair and equal opportunities are threads for women and children’s safety. They create a strong base that is hard to unravel.

Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices honours generations of women, Elders, families, and communities. It recognises that real solutions come from them. The plan is grounded in culture and lived experiences. 

It reflects the collective strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It brings together community voices and knowledge to make safety, healing and wellbeing a national priority. It also supports communities to lead change.

Work is underway to develop a dedicated Our Ways - Strong Ways - Strong Voices action plan. This will show what steps governments, communities and organisations will take to make this vision real. 

Our Ways - Strong Ways - Strong Voices:

• builds on the achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023-2025 (Action Plan 2023-25)
• sits alongside the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children (2022-2032).

The Australian Government also engaged the Coalition of Peaks to establish a new national peak body. It will give voice to people working in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family, domestic and sexual violence sector. This was an action in the Action Plan 2023-25. 

The Our Ways Strong Together National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peak Body to address Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence will:

• provide leadership, advocacy, and advice at the national level
• champion the rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations. 

More information

• Learn more about Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices
• National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan and implementation
• Learn more about available help and support for ending violence.