July 2005

Funds to tackle family violence

New projects to the value of $922,000 aim to reduce family violence in Aboriginal communities across Victoria.

Minister for Children Sherryl Garbutt and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gavin Jennings said the Government had provided grants of up to $50,000 to fund 27 new projects in local communities.

‘Research shows an Aboriginal person in Victoria is eight times more likely to be a victim of family violence than a non-Aboriginal person.

‘We are giving Aboriginal communities the resources and support to address the causes of family violence and raise public awareness,’ Ms Garbutt said.

The grants have been awarded to Victorian Aboriginal organisations and community groups.

‘Some projects are aimed at Aboriginal men and youth to help identify the triggers for family violence and others empower Aboriginal women to develop strategies to deal with its impact,’ Mr Jennings said.

‘The Government has also funded educational workshops and projects using music and drama productions to raise awareness of family violence issues.

‘Each project aims to provide long-term benefits to the community to try and prevent family violence.’

Grant recipients are Kyabram Indigenous Needs network (Kyabram and District Community Health Service); Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative; Kerang and District Aboriginal Elders Council (Northern District Community Health Service); Echuca SAFE Community Action Group (Njernda Aboriginal Corporation); The Eastern Indigenous Gathering Place (Eastern Access Community Health) Croydon; Indigenous Family Violence Southern Regional Action Group, Dandenong; Dhauwurd Wurrung Aboriginal Elderly Citizens Association Inc, Portland; Kirrae Health Services, Framlingham; Gunditjmara Aboriginal Health Coo- Ltd, Warrnambool; Gippsland Lakes Community Health, Lakes Entrance; Gippsland Lakes Community Health, Lakes Entrance, Latrobe Community Health Service Inc, Morwell; Manatunga Elder Aboriginal Corporation, Robinvale; Robinvale Indigenous Family Violence Community Action Group (Murray Valley Aboriginal Co-operative Ltd); Mildura Aboriginal Corporation; Swan Hill Indigenous Family Violence Community Action Group; Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative; Budja Budja Aboriginal Co-operative, Halls Gap; Melbourne Aboriginal Youth, Sport and Recreation; Bill Muir Memorial Classic Committee (Victorian Aboriginal Youth, Sport and Recreation), Preston; North West Metro Regional Action Group (Aboriginal Advancement League), Fitzroy and The Aboriginal Program Exchange (Independent Media Association Inc), Fitzroy; Wanyarra Hume Regional Action Group (Regional Information and Advocacy Council), Shepparton.