Today’s appointment of the second Aboriginal woman to the Bench in Victoria is an important step towards equality, according to the state’s leading organisation for
preventing family violence against Aboriginal women.

“We welcome Ms Burchill’s appointment today as a Magistrate of Victoria. This is a vital step towards recognising Aboriginal’s women’s voices, leadership and experiences with
the justice system,” said Antoinette Braybrook, CEO of the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria (FVPLS Victoria). “It is also a significant step towards
ensuring that our judicial system is representative of the diverse experiences and perspectives of the Victorian community,” said Ms Braybrook.

This follows Victoria’s landmark Royal Commission into Family Violence which made 227 recommendations; highlighting the prevalence of family violence against Aboriginal
women and acknowledging their position as one of the most legally disadvantaged groups in Australia.

“The Royal Commission was a watershed moment which put Aboriginal women front and centre. Through that process we were heard at long last,” said Ms Braybrook. “One of our
calls has always been about having more Aboriginal women in positions of leadership and the court system having greater cultural competence and understanding of Aboriginal
women’s needs and experiences.”

Ms Burchill brings a wealth of experience and understanding to the bench, as a Dja Dja Wurrung/Yorta Yorta woman with expertise in criminal prosecutions, Children’s Court and
other matters and a background working in Aboriginal Community Controlled sector.

FVPLS Victoria is Victoria’s only state-wide Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation exclusively dedicated to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims/survivors
of family violence and sexual assault. FVPLS Victoria provides culturally safe services and supports including frontline legal assistance, early intervention prevention and
community legal education to Aboriginal victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault. Our legal assistance includes intervention orders, victims’ of crime assistance,
child protection and family law.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on twitter: @FVPLSVictoria and Antoinette Braybrook: @BraybrookA
Media Contact: Ben Schokman for Antoinette Braybrook, CEO on bschokman@fvpls.org
or 0403 622 810