Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Survivors resources

The Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria

The Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria (FVPLS Victoria) was established in October 2002 to provide assistance to victims of family violence and sexual assault and to work with families and communities affected by violence.

Website: www.fvpls.org

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)

The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) was established in 1972 to address the specific medical needs of Victorian indigenous communities. The organisation has expanded steadily over past 30 years to provide a comprehensive range of medical, dental and social services for our community.

Website: www.vahs.org.au

Sisters Day Out

The Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria (FVPLS Victoria) has received funding from the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department, the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Victorian Department of Human Services and Department of Justice Indigenous Issues Unit to conduct well-being workshops for young Koori women around Victoria.

The Sisters Day Out workshops have gained widespread support from Victorian Aboriginal communities and from the many workshop participants who have attended as is documented in the narrative view of the workshop experience.

Website: fvpls.org/AboutSDO.php

Organisations

The Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association

AIPA is committed to improving the social and emotional well-being and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities by collaborative work with others committed to 'closing the gap' between Indigenous and non-Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing and mental health outcomes. Specifically AIPA is working to increase the number of Indigenous psychologists and to lead the change required to deliver equitable, accessible, sustainable, timely and culturally safe psychological care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in urban, regional and remote Australia.

Website: www.indigenouspsychology.com.au

Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal

The Aboriginal & Islander Health Worker Journal is the only national publication written by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers. The Journal is distributed nationally and internationally and has been in circulation since 1977. It is published six times a year and has broad range of readership. Each issue covers a range of topics including primary health care, community profiles, health promotion, best practice models and workforce issues. Necessary reading for health workers, service providers, program funders and anyone working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service provision.

Website: www.aihwj.com.au

Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

VACCHO is the peak Aboriginal health body representing 24 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) in Victoria. The role of VACCHO is to build the capacity of its membership and to advocate for issues on their behalf. Capacity is built among members through strengthening support networks, increasing workforce development opportunities and through leadership on particular health areas. Advocacy is carried out with a range of private, community and government agencies, at state and national levels, on all issues related to Aboriginal health.

Website: www.vaccho.org.au

The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)

SNAICC aims to provide a strong voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families through a national body which represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's services and promotes the rights, needs and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.

Website: www.snaicc.asn.au
Family violence publications: srs.snaicc.asn.au/resourcing/default.cfm?loadref=130

Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Incorporated

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) was established as a community owned and controlled co-operative society in 1973. VALS plays an important role in providing legal aid and assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and maintains a strong client service focus.

Website: www.vals.org.au

Research

The Australian Indigenous Health/InfoNet/

A 'one-stop info-shop' that aims to contribute to 'closing the gap' in health between Indigenous and other Australians by informing practice and policy in Indigenous health by making research and other knowledge readily accessible.

Website: www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is the world's premier institution for information and research about the cultures and lifestyles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, past and present. The Institute undertakes and encourages scholarly, ethical community-based research, holds a priceless collection of films, photographs, video and audio recordings and the world's largest collections of printed and other resource materials for Indigenous Studies, and has its own publishing house. Its activities affirm and raise awareness among all Australians, and people of other nations, of the richness and diversity of Australian Indigenous cultures and histories.

Website: www.aiatsis.gov.au

Australian Policy Online

APO is a news service and library specialising in Australian public policy reports and articles from academic research centres, think tanks, government and non-government organisations. The site features opinion and commentary pieces, video, audio and web resources focused on the policy issues facing Australia.

Website (Indigenous topic): www.apo.org.au/indigenous/110

Victorian Government Policy

Indigenous Family Violence Strategy

Website: www.aboriginalaffairs.vic.gov.au

To contact any CASA and the after hours Sexual Assault Crisis Line (SACL)
simply call 1800 806 292 or Email SACL
To contact the convenor/public officer of the CASA Forum email Carolyn Worth