New funding for Aboriginal-led community safety

LISMORE-based organisation Women Up North has received two grants under the first Aboriginal Community Safety Grant program targeting domestic, family and sexual violence.

Chief executive Jillian Knight-Smith said the organisation was proudly Aboriginal-led, with an Aboriginal chair and majority Aboriginal board.

“We are proud and excited to share that our Bugalma Bihyn program team has secured funding to support our local communities,” Knight-Smith said.

“This funding will help fill critical service gaps for young Aboriginal mothers and their children, while also empowering our communities with knowledge of trauma-informed responses to domestic, family and sexual violence.”

A $138,996 grant will support the Bundjalung Mums and Bubs program, which provides outreach services for pregnant teenagers and young mothers at high risk of violence.

A second grant of $74,626 will go towards Pathways to Safety, a program supporting culturally safe responses to domestic violence in Northern Rivers Aboriginal communities, including accommodation and wraparound supports.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin congratulated Women Up North on securing the funding.

“Women Up North is just a great organisation which has stood the test of time; it’s still delivering a

wide range of targeted support services to local women and children,” she said.

Saffin said the State and Federal Governments were jointly investing $3.8 million in 32 projects through the new Aboriginal Community Safety Grant program.

“This program is part of a wider effort by both governments to close the gap in family safety outcomes and improve the lives of Aboriginal people in New South Wales,” she said.

The projects align with the first Action Plan 2023–2027 under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children and promote self-determination, community-led innovation and culturally grounded responses.

Strategies are trauma-informed and culturally safe, recognising the importance of culture, connection to Country and the roles of men’s and women’s business in responding to and healing from family violence.

For information, visit wunh.org.au