North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service

On behalf of the Management and Staff at NAAFLS, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our offices will reopen on Thursday 2 January 2025. Take care.

When child protection enters your life, you MUST have an advocate. This system is punitive - in our work on the ground at the frontline of Aboriginal women and children’s safety we see Aboriginal mums blamed and punished for the violence they experience and their children are taken. This is why Aboriginal women, mums, MUST have an advocate and early access to legal advice and representation. In my 22 years working with Djirra I have only ever seen the number of our kids taken RISE not drop. Over the 22 years, we have called for greater funding of our specialist service to support mums to escape the violence safety with their kids - this is our priority - to keep families - mums and their kids together safely. For more than ten years, DJIRRA and other specialist Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services (FVPLS) across the country have called for funding to receive Child Protection Referrals when a notification is made on an Aboriginal child. This would mean that MUMS are REFERRED immediately to our SPECIALIST services for LEGAL advice and representation - THIS WILL PREVENT CHILD REMOVAL and KEEP KIDS with their MUMS loved and thriving in culture. Get behind DJIRRA and other FVPLSs and support our calls for increased funding to STOP our KIDS from BEING TAKEN Djirra- Sharing stories, finding solutions First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (formerly the NFVPLS Forum) https://lnkd.in/g9suhjyM

In the wake of the recent domestic violence march in Alice Springs by our Aboriginal men, which brought attention to the alarming rates of violence against women in the Northern Territory, First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (FNAAFV) is calling on state and territory governments to take decisive action to improve outcomes for victim-survivors. The march underscores the urgent need for systemic change to address domestic and family violence, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are disproportionately impacted. A critical step toward achieving this is embedding clear referral pathways to Family Violence Prevention Legal Services (FVPLSs) into the protocols of single points of entry for victim-survivor support. This not an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issue - this is a gender issue. "FVPLSs play a vital role in providing culturally safe, trauma-informed, and holistic support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children affected by violence. Ensuring early and supported engagement with FVPLSs can significantly enhance the quality and safety of outcomes for victim-survivors," FNAAFV CEO Kerry Staines said. FNAAFV proposes that state and territory governments implement auto-notification systems that direct referrals to FVPLSs when at-risk families are identified. This proactive approach ensures victim-survivors are connected with specialised services at the earliest stage, offering legal and non-legal support tailored to their needs. "Clear and automatic referral pathways are not just an administrative improvement—they are a life-saving measure. When victim-survivors have timely access to the culturally appropriate and expert support of FVPLSs, we see better outcomes in safety planning, legal advocacy, and access to essential services," Ms Staines said. The single point of entry system, designed to streamline access to support services, must prioritise FVPLSs as a lead in the response network. FNAAFV urges governments to work collaboratively with FVPLSs to ensure these referral pathways are embedded in protocols and supported by adequate resources. The march in Alice Springs has highlighted the collective will of communities to combat domestic violence. Now is the time for governments to act decisively by strengthening referral pathways to FVPLSs and ensuring victim-survivors are met with the culturally safe and comprehensive support they deserve. #EndDomesticViolence #FVPLS #FNAAFV

On this 10th day of the 16 Days of Activism, we call on Government to take heed of the findings from the Northern Territory Coroner’s inquest into the devastating prevalence of domestic violence in the NT, and highlight the urgent need for systemic reform and increased investment in early intervention and prevention efforts. The details of our request can be found in our latest media release here: https://lnkd.in/gceG6ibr #16DaysOfActivism #NoExcuse #GenderEquality #EndDomesticViolence #FVPLS #FNAAFV

#NorthernTerritory

Media Statement Monday 25 November 2024 Today, the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service remembers Kumanjayi Rabuntja, Kumanjayi Haywood, Miss Yunupingu and Ngeygo Ragurrk, said Chief Executive Officer Cindy Torrens. "We remember these women as much-loved mothers, sisters, daughters and friends who are missed deeply everyday by the people who loved them. "The North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service represented two of the four families affected by these avoidable tragedies. "We thank the Coroner for conducting a significant and thorough examination of domestic and family sexual violence in the Northern Territory. "We are heartened by the recommendations and look forward to participating in their implementation. "We note the Coroner's comments on the lack of a Domestic Family Sexual Violence (DFSV) Peak Body in the Territory which is in stark contrast to the rest of the country. "We recognise the importance of a dedicated peak body to go some way to addressing the unacceptable levels of domestic family and sexual violence in the Territory. "NAAFLS will now start the process of sensitively informing our clients of the Coroner's findings; in the hope they can then begin to heal from their unimaginable loss, " said Ms Torrens. ENDS

It's that time of year. All current members are invited to attend the NAAFLS Annual General Meeting (AGM). It will be held on Saturday 30 November 2024 starting at 10.30am. Location: NAAFLS Darwin Office at 32 Dripstone, Casuarina. Please see this notice for the agenda. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rachael Hill, our Senior Partnership and Advocacy Officer on freephone 1800 041 998, or email rhill@naafls.com.au . We look forward to seeing you at the AGM.

Last week, Claire Hilton was admitted as a lawyer in the Northern Territory Supreme Court. Her admission is the culmination of years of dedication to her studies. The day also marks the beginning of Claire’s professional career as a lawyer. Since joining the NAAFLS legal team as a paralegal, Claire has demonstrated a commitment to using the legal system to assist those affected by domestic family and sexual violence in Aboriginal communities. Now, as a lawyer Claire is able to extend that assistance within the NAAFLS team. It has been an inspiration to see her grow in confidence and ability. We know she will be an excellent lawyer. Well done Claire! First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (formerly the NFVPLS Forum)

👋 Last Friday, we bid farewell to our Principal Legal Officer, James Lowrey. He has been an instrumental part of NAAFLS since April 2023. We’re extremely grateful for his leadership, his advocacy, and the support he’s provided to our staff, and to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim-survivors who have required access to our service. As a token of our love and appreciation, James was gifted artwork from the Tiwi and Larrakia people in the Top End. We wish James all the best in his next adventure 👋 ✈️

Condolences to the Lajamanu Community. The North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS) extend its deepest sympathies to families and communities in Lajamanu, following the tragic loss of another Aboriginal woman in the Territory this week. “This is a very sad time and we’re mindful that families are now in sorry business,” says NAAFLS CEO Cindy Torrens. “What happened is an absolute tragedy. Yet again, another Aboriginal woman has lost her life through domestic and family violence. "We note that this is now the seventh domestic family violence related death in the Northern Territory since June this year. “NAAFLS is ready to support those affected including the wider Lajamanu community in whatever capacity we can. “The ongoing death toll for our Aboriginal women in remote communities is absolutely unacceptable on any count or measure, by any standard. “As an organisation, our service continues to be ready and willing in responding to domestic and family violence in the Territory,” says Ms Torrens. The North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service services more than 40 communities throughout the Top End with offices in Katherine, Darwin and Nhulunbuy. We provide legal and support services to those affected by domestic, family and sexual violence. First Nations Advocates Against Family Violence (formerly the NFVPLS Forum)