A 3 hour workshop for practitioners in family and domestic violence services

Developed and delivered by a cultural safety trainer

This workshop lays the groundwork for practitioners to understand and support Aboriginal self-determination as a foundation of safe, effective family and domestic violence practice. It recognises the unique knowledge, strengths and cultural perspectives that Aboriginal victim survivors, families and communities bring.

Participants will explore self-determination as an internationally and domestically recognised human right, and what it means in practice. This includes a systemic shift that transfers power, control, decision-making and resources to Aboriginal communities and their organisations, rather than services determining solutions on their behalf. The workshop situates the disproportionate impact of family violence on Aboriginal women, children, families and communities within its true context, including the ongoing legacy of colonisation, dispossession, the Stolen Generations and intergenerational trauma, while being explicit that family violence is not part of Aboriginal culture.

The session will also examine the different drivers of violence experienced by Aboriginal communities, and why Aboriginal-led, community-controlled responses are central to addressing them. Practitioners will consider their own service’s role, including where mainstream practice may unintentionally replicate colonising or discriminatory patterns, and how to build genuinely culturally safe responses aligned with Aboriginal leadership and goals. This includes supporting Aboriginal victim survivors’ right to choose between mainstream and Aboriginal services, and to maintain or restore connection to Country, culture, family and community.

Participants will leave with a clear understanding of practical enablers of trust and help-seeking for Aboriginal women, and how to strengthen referral pathways and partnerships with Aboriginal organisations to inform service design and coordinated responses.

Duration: 3 hours

Audience: Practitioners working in specialist family and domestic violence services