Council of Australian Governments' Meeting
25 June 2004
Attachment C - National Framework for Preventing Family Violence and Child Abuse in Indigenous Communities
All jurisdictions agree that preventing family violence and child abuse in indigenous families is a priority for action that requires a national effort.
Jurisdictions will work cooperatively to improve how they engage with each other and with indigenous communities to prevent family violence and child abuse in indigenous families. Jurisdictions will formalise their cooperation through bi-lateral arrangements between the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments.
Jurisdictions’ action to prevent family violence and child abuse in indigenous families will be based on the following principles:
Safety
1. Everyone has a right to be safe from family violence and abuse.
Partnerships
2. Preventing family violence and child abuse in indigenous families is best achieved by families, communities, community organisations and different levels of government working together as partners.
Support
3. Preventing family violence and child abuse in indigenous families relies on strong leadership from governments and indigenous community leaders and sustainable resourcing.
Strong, resilient families
4. Successful strategies to prevent family violence and child abuse in indigenous families enable indigenous people to take control of their lives, regain responsibility for their families and communities and to enhance individual and family wellbeing.
Local solutions
5. Successful strategies to prevent family violence and child abuse in indigenous families are flexible, work across jurisdictional and administrative boundaries, enable communities and governments to work together in new and innovative ways and enable local indigenous communities to set priorities and work with governments to develop solutions and implement them.
Address the cause
6. Successful strategies to prevent family violence and child abuse in indigenous families address the underlying causes of violence and abuse, including alcohol and drug abuse, generational disadvantage, poverty and unemployment.
Return to COAG Communiqué - 25 June 2004