Nargeit Birrang has been developed to enhance effective long-term responses to Aboriginal people who have experienced - directly or indirectly - family violence, to break the cycle of violence and to promote healing and resilience within the Aboriginal community. It also outlines that healing those who use violence is critical in creating safe communities.
The framework’s underlying premise is that holistic healing can only occur if it is based on self-determination at both the individual and system level. This is in recognition that individual Aboriginal people or families live within communities who, if further strengthened, can provide a natural means of healing. Connection to culture, community and land as well as other healing activities, such as group interventions and counselling, all have a place in holistic healing approaches.
This is a significant undertaking as it requires a re-conceptualisation of how we provide family violence funded services. It requires a significant shift in Government thinking about how it understands its role, what and how it funds, and who decides program success factors. It will require government to incorporate into core funding flexibility in service design, and funding to enable the Aboriginal evidence knowledge to grow in line with self-determination. It requires Aboriginal organisations to articulate their practice approach, and to show linkages between activities and expected outcomes.
A detailed work plan is required to implement the changes outlined within Nargeit Birrang. This needs to be developed and led by the Aboriginal community with government as an integral partner.
The aim should be to fully implement the framework within 3 years.
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