Agenda
The 2025 Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence Forum is now CPD Accredited. Attendees will receive 7 points per day, with a certificate immediately following the event.
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Day 1, May 27th
8:30
Welcome to Country
8:50
Chairperson's Opening Address

Thelma Schwartz, Principal Legal Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Services (QIFVLS)
POLICY, LEGISLATION AND RESEARCH REFLECTED IN CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE SERVICE DELIVERY
9:00
In a Post-Referendum World, Now More Than Ever Every Aboriginal Woman’s Self-Determination Must be Invested In
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Exploring how supporting Aboriginal women’s autonomy strengthens community-led solutions to family violence
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Advocating for sustained investment in culturally safe programs and services that prioritise Aboriginal women’s voices and leadership in a post-referendum context

Antoinette Braybrook, Chief Executive Officer, Djirra
9:20




Panel: Understanding the Parameters of Coercive Control Legislation in Different States with a First Nations Lens
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How do different states approach education on coercive control to clients and service providers
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Helping clients to understand how to report coercive abuse
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Understanding the risks associated with criminalising coercive control for First Nations people and strategies to mitigate some of these risks
Moderator: Thelma Schwartz, Principal Legal Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS)
Tyne McConnon, Principal Lawyer, Family and Child Safety, Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service
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Jordan Smyth,Executive Policy Officer, Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit (CAAFLU)
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Melissa Clarke, General manager, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service
10:00
Amplifying Unheard Voices: Systemic Failures and Strategic Solutions in Addressing Violence Against Indigenous Women




The crisis of violence against Indigenous women in Australia demands urgent action. Indigenous women face disproportionately high rates of violence, with recent data revealing they are up to 35 times more likely to be hospitalized due to family violence-related assaults compared to non-Indigenous women. Between 1989 and 2023, 476 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women fell victim to homicide, experiencing victimization rates up to seven times the national average.
We examine the systemic failures contributing to this crisis, including inadequate training, inconsistent application of domestic violence guidelines, delayed service responses, and the skepticism by some institutions towards Indigenous women's reports of violence. We also highlight the lack of culturally safe services and the misidentification of Indigenous women as perpetrators due to biased perceptions.
To address these issues, we propose a comprehensive approach focusing on community-led, culturally grounded interventions. This includes increased investment in specialist services, enhanced training for law enforcement and service providers to combat systemic racism, and the development of Indigenous-led data collection and analysis to inform policy decisions.
The next decade is crucial for achieving meaningful, lasting change. By centering Indigenous women's voices and experiences, we can work towards transforming responses to violence. This includes believing Indigenous women, providing safe accommodation options, and funding long-term, culturally safe and responsive services. Only through concerted effort and genuine commitment can we bring healing to our families and communities feeling the lasting impact of violence.
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Professor Kyllie Cripps, Director, Monash Indigenous Studies Centre; Chief Investigator; ARC Centre for Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
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Associate Professor Marlene Longbottom, Indigenous Education & Research Centre, James Cook University
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Nardia Green
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Tom Reuben
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Aunty Dixie Link Gordon, Aunty in Residence, Full Stop Australia and Women and Girls Emergency Centre
10:30
Morning Tea
11:15
Indigenous Family Violence: The National Picture
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What are the national frameworks for addressing Indigenous family violence and how do they translate to place-based grassroots initiatives
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Examining the advantages of collaboration between national and local stakeholders
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Identifying barriers to adapting national strategies for Indigenous family violence to local contexts


Kerry Staines, Chief Executive Officer, First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV)
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Wynetta Dewis, Chief Executive Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS); Chair, First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV)
LIVED EXPERIENCE TO ADVOCACY
11:50
Connection Workshops
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Weaving Workshop: Connect with culture, Country and each other as you join a weaving circle with your peers led by Erica Eurell, Traditional Custodian of the Yugambeh language region (maximum capacity 40ppl, sign up on the day)
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Re-Indigenising Leadership Through Sports: 10 Million Strong & Gymbox for Gender Equality in Papua New Guinea: Join Keesha Booth, General Manager of Grass Skirt Project Inc to explore a holistic, culturally grounded approach to addressing gender-based violence in PNG through: Violence prevention education tailored to Pasifika values. Nutrition and health education to promote well-being and resilience. Servant leadership training to build self-efficacy and empower future leaders. Entrepreneurial mindset development to help young people move from surviving to thriving.
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Breaking Silent Codes of Sexual Violence in First Nations Communities: Yarn with Aunty Dixie Link-Gordon, Kowana Welsh and Yatungka Gordon as they discuss the importance of standing up and speaking out against sexual violence across Australia and the pacific.
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Understanding Tech-Facilitated Abuse: Community Experiences and Responses: Yarn with eSafety Commissioner’s Carolyn Wilkes and Stef Tipping as they open the floor to explore tech- facilitated abuse in domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV).
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Language Yarn: Join Shaun Davies, certified linguist, and learn about the Yugambeh Language
12:50
Lunch
2:15
Case Study: Mudgin-Gal The only Aboriginal Women's Centre in Metropolitan Sydney, Entirely Operated by and for Aboriginal Women
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How Mudgin-Gal uses culture and community to support women and children victims of domestic violence
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Helping women identify the early signs of an abusive relationship
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Sustaining our culturally informed care through the NSW government investment in Safe and Strong

Ashlee Donohue, Chief Executive Officer, Mudgin-Gal
2:40
Reclaiming safe spaces with collective cultural strength: We are bigger than our story
With our life experience comes community responsibility; we take this responsibility, as strong First Nations women, to pass on the skills we know and continue to learn, to our communities. Through the Breaking Silent Codes project and women’s collectives like Ya’Djin, we are reclaiming safe spaces for First Nations women, empowered by our cultures and collective strength to grow First Nations Governance in a sector dominated by non-Indigenous agencies.   ​
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Kowana Welsh, Lived Experience Advocate; Board Member, Full Stop Australia; Senior Project Officer, Women and Girls Emergency Centre

Yatungka Gordon, Executive Officer, Breaking Silent Codes
Aunty Chantay, Ya’Djin
3:25
Afternoon Tea
HOLISTIC SUPPORT: ADDRESSING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS
3:55
Assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families Through Difficult Times
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Helping families in need to navigate the housing application process
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Maximising the chances of tenants maintaining their tenancy through ongoing client support

Mary Doctor, General Manager, Umpi Korumba Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation for Housing
4:20
Case Study: Justice Reinvestment a Priority for change in Communities

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Reducing contact with the criminal justice system through community empowerment
Taryn Ruska-Fisher, Community Justice worker, Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders in Council (MMEIC) ​​​​

Chelsea Rolfe, Research Worker, Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders in Council (MMEIC)
4:50
Chairperson’s Closing Comments
5:00
End of Day One - Join us for a community social event in the green, QT Hotel, food and drinks provided
Day 2, May 28
9:00
Chairperson's Opening Address

Thelma Schwartz, Principal Legal Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Services
9:10
International Keynote: Gender equality in the Pacific nations and impacts on domestic, family and sexual violence
Mereseini Rakuita, Principal Strategic Lead – Pacific Women and Girls, Pacific Community
Teretia Tokam, Executive Director, Kiribati Women and Children Support Centre
PROTECTION FOR OUR YOUTH
9:40
An introduction to Child Protection and its renowned complexities

This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of a Child Protection matter that in addition to the core issue, spans various areas of law, the complexities of the legal system and the considerations of working with First Nations clients who present as victims of domestic and family violence. It aims to guide you through the many stages of a Child Protection matter whilst navigating the lawyer/client relationship, the principles of the Child Protection Act and working across the intersecting jurisdictions of law.
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Isabella Copetti, Deputy Principal Legal Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS)
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10:00
Case Study: NT Aboriginal Child Protection Notification and Referral Program
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Reducing the number of Aboriginal children in the child protection system in the NT
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The importance of notifying relevant services if a child will/ has been removed from their family
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Future directions for an effective child protection system in the NT


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Toni Eyles, Project Officer, Child In Need of Protection Project, North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS)
Lee Vanderwarker, Project Manager, Child In Need of Protection Project, North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS)
Bernadette Thomas, Aboriginal Family-Led Decision Maker Co-convenor, Northern Territory Indigenous Family Legal Support Services (NTIFFLS)

Harley Dannatt, Lawyer, Northern Territory Indigenous Family Legal Support Services (NTIFFLS)
10:25
Morning Tea
10:55
Panel: Perspectives on Culturally Safe and Child-Centric Responses to Breaking the Cycle of Indigenous Family Violence
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Supporting young people who have been exposed to family violence to heal and break the cycle
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Working with government and non-government organisations and stakeholders to ensure the needs of First Nations children are reflected in child protection
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Understanding the healing needs of young boys exposed to domestic and family sexual violence

Moderator: Thelma Schwartz, Principal Legal Officer, Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS)

Ashum Owen, Chief Executive Officer, Wakwakurna Kanyini

Reno French, Project Lead, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP)

Toni Eyles, Project Officer, Child In Need of Protection Project, North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS)
​BEHAVIOUR CHANGE FOR MEN AND CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL HEALING
11:30
Connection Workshops
-
Weaving Workshop: Connect with culture, Country and each other as you join a weaving circle with your peers led by Erica Eurell, Traditional Custodian of the Yugambeh language region (maximum capacity 40ppl, sign up on the day)
-
Re-Indigenising Leadership Through Sports: 10 Million Strong & Gymbox for Gender Equality in Papua New Guinea: Join Keesha Booth, General Manager of Grass Skirt Project Inc to explore a holistic, culturally grounded approach to addressing gender-based violence in PNG through: Violence prevention education tailored to Pasifika values. Nutrition and health education to promote well-being and resilience. Servant leadership training to build self-efficacy and empower future leaders. Entrepreneurial mindset development to help young people move from surviving to thriving.
-
Breaking Silent Codes of Sexual Violence in First Nations Communities: Yarn with Aunty Dixie Link-Gordon, Kowana Welsh and Yatungka Gordon as they discuss the importance of standing up and speaking out against sexual violence across Australia and the pacific.
-
Understanding Tech-Facilitated Abuse: Community Experiences and Responses: Yarn with eSafety Commissioner’s Carolyn Wilkes and Stef Tipping as they open the floor to explore tech- facilitated abuse in domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV).
-
Language Yarn: Join Shaun Davies, certified linguist, and learn about the Yugambeh Language.
12:30
Lunch
1:30
​Case Study: Strong Fathers, Strong Families
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Helping men to change their behaviour in a positive way for their families
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Teaching new Fathers to communicate and bond with their child to break the cycles of abuse they have been entrenched in
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Understanding the impact of a Father figures behaviour on their child’s development

Charlie Rowe, General Manager, Carbal ​
2:00
Yarning Session: The Importance of Community Designed and Led Programs Working with Men to Keep Communities Safe and Strong
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Addressing intergenerational trauma from the impacts of colonisation
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Taking a holistic and cultural approach to working with men rather than a punitive one


Nicholas Glauser, Team Leader, Change Em Ways, Mens Outreach Service Aboriginal Corporation (MOSAC
Nelson Bieundurry, Cultural Guidance Worker, Change Em Ways, Mens Outreach Service Aboriginal Corporation (MOSAC)
CENTRING INDIGENOUS VOICES
2:30
Specialist Indigenous List and the recent changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)
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The operation of the Specialist Indigenous List (“SIL”) of family law matters operating in the Federal Circuit and Family Court across Australia.
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Operation of the Indigenous Family Liaison Officers with the Federal Circuit and Family Court across Australia.
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Recent changes to the Family Law Act and consideration of Aboriginal and Tores Strait Islander culture.

Her Honour Judge Louise Goodchild, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
2:50
Afternoon Tea
3:20
Taking a Human Rights-Based Approach to Overcoming Indigenous Family Violence

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Ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples live with dignity and self determination
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Nurturing our children in culturally affirming environments to break cycles of intergenerational trauma
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Leveraging human rights principles to address systemic issues that perpetuate the disproportionate effects of violence in Indigenous communities

Katie Kiss, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission (VIRTUAL)
3:45
Yarn in your table groups about the learnings over the two days and think about one key takeaway that you will share with your team, organisation or community.
4:05
Share your key learnings
4:20
Chairperson’s closing comments and end of Day two