In Melbourne, a workshop established by the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service of Victoria (FVPLS) to restore the self-esteem and resilience of victims has celebrated its 100th meeting.
More than 400 women attended at the 'Sisters Day Out' event, held at the San Remo ballroom. When it started nine years ago, it was a group 15 women in regional Victoria.
Aboriginal elder Aunty Nellie Flagg said the workshop aims to provide safety to the most vulnerable in the community.
"There's a fear of reporting violence to police, because of the fear of removal of Aboriginal children."
"This is so important because it's a time for us to come together, to support each other, and to share - share our stories, share our knowledge, share our support for each other."
Over the years, the organisation has provided support to 7,500 women.
"Services such as housing, counselling, medical, and other healthcare, and also, importantly, they've accessed our service and spoken to a lawyer about their legal rights with respect to family violence," said Antoinette Braybrook, FVPLS CEO and national convener.
Aboriginal women are 34 times more likely to be hospitalised because of domestic violence than non-Indigenous women, and 10 times more likely to die from that assault.
"It's not an Aboriginal issue, this issue is widespread, and sadly, Aboriginal women are impacted at a far greater rate than non-Aboriginal women," Ms Braybrook said.
Reporting incidents of family violence is also low among the Aboriginal community, and for Ms Braybrook, it's a vicious cycle caused by several factors.
"One is gender imbalance, one is Aboriginal women experience racism when they try to access services for their safety and that just creates so many barriers. There's a fear of reporting violence to police, because of the fear of removal of Aboriginal children."
For seven years, 'Emma' - whose name has been changed - was abused by a partner.
The violence started just months into their relationship.
"And not very long after, I fell pregnant with my first child, so I felt like I had a commitment to staying and raising a child with both a mother and father."
She left after the birth of her second child, but at the time it was difficult to find the right services.
"I was terrified for my life," she said. "I was frightened for my children, being taken.""You know, I still have regret about my first child seeing so much, and I just didn't want that for my second child, when he came along."
'Emma' now helps other women and said the culturally-specific workshop, run by Aboriginal women for Aboriginal women, helped break down stigmas and educate victims about their legal rights.
Ms Braybrook is concerned that without ongoing funding, the workshops will cease being a regular event.
"And I'm not sure when the next one is planned, but there aren't too many locked in for the future. If we get that, then we can take this to the next level and maybe we might see a decrease in the violence that Aboriginal women experience."
Recommneded reading:
Aurukun: Aboriginal town under 'siege'
