In 2023, the Australian Government announced the first ever dedicated stand-alone action plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. While the plan is a positive step in the right direction, progress towards addressing Target 13 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap will only be achieved when funding and resources are directed towards First Nations community-led solutions.  

This is why the 2024 Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence Forum couldn’t come at a more pertinent time. For the second year in a row, QIFVLS is proud to host this important opportunity for community leaders to come together with government organisations, legal services, law enforcement, social services, cultural healers and Elders to discuss their initiatives to put an end to family violence in First Nations communities. The work being done on the ground in community is already having inspiring impacts on families and individuals, but the rest of Australia must put their efforts behind elevating these grassroots initiatives so that they can reach the people who need them most.   

Together, we hold the solutions to break cycles of violence and to heal our families and communities. I’m looking forward to seeing you this May in beautiful Gimuy to yarn, share and learn from each other.