Domestic and Family Violence Prevention month (May) begins with a day-long forum highlighting and celebrating responses to Indigenous family violence.

Based at Central Queensland University Mackay, the Queensland Centre for Domestic & Family Violence Research and its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group members have invited leading Indigenous researchers and policy-makers to present developments relating to family violence prevention.

Centre director Heather Nancarrow said the May 4 forum would highlight current policy and practice issues including the State Government’s development of a Family Violence Agreement “Safe and Strong Families”.

“The forum will enable Indigenous people to talk about the progress that has been made in dealing with family violence as well as having the opportunity to discuss current policy issues needing to be addressed,” she said.

“Forum presentations will include results of Indigenous family well-being research, current government policy development and initiatives in local communities, such as Woorabinda and Cherbourg, working to end family violence.” Keynote speakers at the forum are Australian National University Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit chair Professor Mick Dodson and Reconciliation Australia co-chair Jackie Huggins, AM. Other speakers include Griffith University researcher Associate Professor Boni Robertson; James Cook University School of Indigenous Studies researcher Yvonne Cadet-James; ATSIC Townsville Regional Office deputy chair Ian Appo; Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy executive director Barbara Nicol Flick and Palm Island community activist Delena Foster. Queensland’s Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy, the Honourable Liddy Clark, will be represented at the forum by Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin, MP. “Following the forum, the Centre’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group members will meet with policy advisers and program co-ordinators to consider policy implications from the forum and develop recommendations for further action by policy makers and practitioners across the state,” Ms Nancarrow said.

“The Centre is highly committed to supporting Indigenous communities in their work to end family violence and advance Indigenous health and well-being. The forum and policy-planning meeting create an opportunity for Indigenous people to take centre stage in the discussions about family violence research, policy and program development.” Registration for the forum begins at 9.30am on May 4 at CQU Mackay’s administration building. For more details telephone Aithne Archibald on 4940 7834.