- Date:
- 7 Oct 2026
We recognise the leadership of Aboriginal communities in the prevention of family violence.
This framework supports safe, strong and healthy Aboriginal families and communities. It envisages a future where families are free from violence, and communities make their own choices.
The framework includes tools and guidance for community-led prevention efforts.
Definition of family violence prevention in an Aboriginal context
The framework adopts the following definition of family violence prevention:
In an Aboriginal context, community-led family violence prevention approaches encompass elements across the continuum of primary prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery. Approaches aim to promote the safety, wellbeing and healing of Aboriginal people, families, and communities.
Approaches aim to prevent violence from occurring and reoccurring, and are holistic, strengths- based, and trauma-informed in their nature. Approaches recognise the unique underlying drivers of violence against Aboriginal people and aim to strengthen protective factors against violence by elevating cultural, family and community connection and healing.
Guiding principles
The framework adopts six guiding principles as set out in Dhelk Dja: safe our way – strong culture, strong peoples, strong families to achieve a future free from violence. They are:
- self-determination
- collaboration and community-led partnerships
- strengths-based approaches
- culture and trauma-informed resilience and healing approaches
- cultural, physical, and community safety
- accountability, transparency, and honesty of all parties.
All prevention efforts should be consistent with them.
Priority prevention strategies
There are five priority strategies in the framework. They target the drivers of family violence against Aboriginal people.
- Strategy 1: Community education and awareness raising
- Strategy 2: Family connecting and strengthening
- Strategy 3: Cultural strengthening
- Strategy 4: Responding to grief and trauma
- Strategy 5: Self-esteem and resilience building
Implementation guide
The framework contains an implementation guide for community-led prevention. It includes:
- potential priority groups, settings and partners
- examples of initiatives
- guidance for monitoring and evaluation
- guidance on criteria for effective initiatives.
Updated