- Published:
- Thursday, 4 October 2018 at 4:23 am
A ground-breaking, community-led Aboriginal agreement to address family violence was formally launched in Mildura yesterday.
Dhelk Dja: Safe Our Way: Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families is the new Aboriginal 10-year family violence agreement for 2018-2028.
It was written by the Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum (formerly known as the Indigenous Family Violence Partnership Forum) to build on the last 10-year plan, Strong Culture, Strong Peoples, Strong Families: Towards a safer future for Indigenous families and communities (2008-2018).
Dhelk Dja was formally launched by the Dhelk Dja Partnership Forum members, along with the Special Minister of State the Hon. Gavin Jennings and Family Safety Victoria CEO Sue Clifford. The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon. Natalie Hutchins provided a message of support from a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) summit on reducing violence against women in Adelaide.
Chairperson of the Mallee Dhelk Dja Action Group, Jacob Hunt, and Pauline Ugle from the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation spoke at the event following a performance from the dance group Nuungu-Puukilarna–Marni. During his address, Mr Hunt said he was proud to be an Aboriginal man and father who is committed to ending family violence and its devastating consequences.
"The agreement reflects the many voices and stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living across Victoria," Mr Hunt said.
"Dhelk Dja recognises that our knowledge, our strength, and our voices must continue to be at the heart of everything we do to end family violence."
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