November 27th 2024.
A group advocating for First Nations women and children is speaking out about the government's lack of action following an inquiry into the alarming rates of murder and disappearance within the community. Before delving into the details, it is important to note that this article contains sensitive content and may be triggering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers due to the mention of deceased individuals.
The inquiry, which concluded in August, revealed that First Nations women are seven times more likely to be victims of homicide compared to non-Indigenous women. Shockingly, 75% of these deaths were caused by a current or former partner. The inquiry presented 10 recommendations, such as reviewing police practices and addressing media portrayal of these cases, as a means of addressing the issue.
On Monday, Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy presented the government's response, acknowledging the lives that have been lost or are missing. She emphasized that these women were more than just numbers and statistics; they were beloved daughters, sisters, mothers, aunties, grandmothers, and matriarchs of their communities.
However, the government did not commit to any of the recommendations presented in the inquiry. Instead, they stated that the report would be used to inform ongoing efforts, such as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Safety Plan. A spokesperson from the National Indigenous Australians Agency stated that while the government carefully considered the findings and recommendations, some of them fell under the responsibility of state and territory governments.
McCarthy also announced that she would personally write to the Australian Press Council to review one of the recommendations. She reassured the public that the government is actively working towards ending gender-based violence, with significant investments in place.
Patty Kinnersly, the chief executive of Our Watch, a national organization working to prevent violence against women and children, highlighted the importance of the recommendations in addressing this issue. She noted that while some of the recommendations may have been previously suggested in other inquiries, urgent action is needed by all sectors of society, including governments, organizations, justice systems, media, and individuals. Kinnersly stressed the need to listen to the voices of women and communities and involve them in prevention and response efforts.
The inquiry ran at the same time as a significant inquest into four domestic violence killings of women in the Northern Territory. One of these women was Kumarn Rubuntja, from the Alice Springs community of Antepe Camp. In 2018, she had met with McCarthy and the Indigenous Australians Minister at the time, Linda Burney, to demand an end to these horrific crimes. However, three years later, she was tragically killed by her partner in a deliberate and violent attack.
On Monday, Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage presented 35 recommendations from the inquest, which she noted were not radical or new but necessary for addressing this issue effectively. For those in need of crisis support, 13YARN, a service run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, is available 24/7. Additionally, the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service can be reached at 1800RESPECT.
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