This Ochre Ribbon week, Djirra is calling on all governments to invest in self-determined, community-led solutions for and by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Quotes attributable to Antoinette Braybrook, CEO of Djirra:

“We are approaching Djirra’s 20-year anniversary and our 7th Ochre Ribbon Week, yet violence against First Nations women is still a national crisis. Year after year, Djirra continues to advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to live free from violence and empowered by self-determination in their lives, communities and cultures.”

“We call for the same change year after year, but see little progress whilst the rates of violence against our women keep rising. We continue to call on the Victorian government to stop implementing punitive laws and policies that see our women locked up and our children removed at some of the highest rates in the country. This government must take its commitment to Closing the Gap seriously.”

“We stand firm with other members of the National Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services Forum, in calling for a dedicated National Safety Plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. An action plan that is a subset of the mainstream National Plan will mean that First Nations women and their children continue to be unsafe and remain invisible.”

‘Our children belong with their mums and in their community, thriving in culture and identity. To see change, we need long-term investment and Aboriginal led, self-determined solutions. We must be visible and heard. We have the solutions.”

Background
Feb 12 – 19th is Ochre Ribbon week. Since its launch in May 2015, Ochre Ribbon is an annual event where the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services join together to raise awareness of the devastating impacts of family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and call for action to end the violence.