The Sydney Region Aboriginal Corporation has been awarded $400,000 to deliver early intervention support and stop the cycle of domestic and family violence abuse in the Penrith LGA.
Under the National Partnership Agreement for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses 2021-2030, the Minns and Albanese Labor Governments have invested $13 million to roll out the Safe and Strong Families Program over two stages.
Stage two funding will cover an additional 16 sites with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to provide culturally safe support in 10 of these locations, including Penrith.
The Safe and Strong Families Program is a crucial entry point for victim-survivors to receive early family and domestic violence support and recognises that children who experience family violence need tailored support.
Case workers help develop personal, family and community level strengths and capacity to increase individual and family safety. This includes counselling, education and skills training, Indigenous social participation, information/advice/referral, intake/assessment, material aid, mentoring/peer support, and supported playgroups.
Importantly, Aboriginal-led, trauma-informed and culturally safe strategies recognise the importance of culture, connection to Country and the role of men’s and women’s business in responding to and healing from family violence.
This investment builds on stage one of the program, which rolled out in late 2024 across 10 priority locations.
Since service commencement, stage one Safe and Strong providers have supported about 77 families and 200 individual clients.
Member for Penrith Karen McKeown OAM said:
“Early intervention programs are one of the most effective tools which can be leveraged to stop violence before it starts.
“The data shows the extent of domestic violence in Penrith are sobering and we need all levels of government working together to drive rates down.
“The Sydney Region Aboriginal Corporation is a trusted Aboriginal community-controlled organisation which provides culturally safe, wraparound services locally. This funding boost will help them make our community a safer place.”
Sydney Region Aboriginal Corporation, Family Services Corordinator Krystle Scott said:
“It is so important to provide education and access to early intervention programs, with the extreme numbers of Aboriginal children in out of home care.
“This funding will help our community with education and early access to services, to benefit our whole community.”
NSW Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
“The NSW Government recognises the urgent need to do more to meet the needs of children and young people who experience domestic and family violence and break the cycle of intergenerational violence.
“Safe and Strong Families delivers just that with its child- and family-focused approach to providing early intervention and support services that treat children as victim-survivors in their own right.
“Women and children who are impacted by violence and abuse deserve to live free from violence and the fear of violence.”
NSW Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington said:
“Children who experience violence in their homes carry that trauma with them and without the right support, it can shape the rest of their lives.
“That’s what this program is all about — stepping in early, wrapping the right supports around children and families at risk of, or experiencing, violence; so they can recover, rebuild and thrive.
“The NSW Government is investing in programs like Safe and Strong because we want to support families to stop the cycle of abuse.”
NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
“The Minns Labor Government recognises the need to respond to the impacts of domestic and family violence on Aboriginal people.
“We know the best way to close the gap is by Aboriginal people shaping and driving outcomes for Aboriginal people.
“Having Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations run the Safe and Strong program it ensures that women and children escaping domestic violence can receive healing in a culturally safe space and while feeling connected to country.”
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
