With the prime minister's recent declaration that violence against women is a national disgrace, we hope that we witnessed the shifting of the nation's cultural tectonic plates. In particular, we hope the systemic obstacles that silence Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim/survivors are finally overcome.
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Family violence disproportionately affects Indigenous Australians and has devastating impacts. The statistics are alarming: Indigenous women are 34 times more likely to be admitted to hospital as a result of family violence and almost 11 times more likely to be killed as a result of violent assault.
Further compounding the problem are difficulties in accessing legal assistance in many areas. In 2013-14, a survey of 1700 Aboriginal women indicated that almost half (46 per cent) had experienced family violence-related legal issues in the previous 12 months but 53 per cent of those women had received no legal assistance on the issue. Addressing these barriers should be a priority for any government serious about family violence. It is remarkable, therefore, that the government's recently announced $100 million Women's Safety package did not include dedicated funding for vital front-line legal aid for Indigenous Australian victims of family violence.
The Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service provides specialist and culturally safe front-line legal and non-legal support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim/survivors of family violence. Evidence demonstrates these services play an essential role in overcoming the barriers that prevent Indigenous women and children from accessing family violence-related legal aid. These legal services also provide critical frontline assistance in response to family violence.
Unfortunately, the package also failed to include targeted measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim/survivors in urban areas. The Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service focuses on some regional and remote areas, however, it is not funded to have national coverage and many victim/survivors cannot access their unique service model.
Last year, the Productivity Commission found that such specialised legal services are essential, that service gaps exist and these service gaps have severe consequences. It was disappointing that the government's extra $15 million investment to improve women's access to legal services did not include these services that are supporting the most legally marginalised and vulnerable of Australians. This is a missed opportunity.
The Turnbull government must seize the initiative. It must ensure that the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service and other legal assistance providers can meet the urgent needs of Indigenous Australians escaping violence across urban, regional and remote areas.
On a daily basis, front-line staff hear the trauma and devastation behind these grossly disproportionate statistics. This is the epicentre of the family violence national crisis – it should be at the epicentre of any government response.
The legal aid sector firmly believes that, where possible, community-controlled culturally safe organisations such as the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service are the preferred providers of legal assistance to Indigenous Australians.
