Media release: Alarming spike in violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women

A third of women killed allegedly by men’s violence since June are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women – despite making up just 4% of the population 

It’s believed 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have reportedly been killed in that time including eight in the NT – yet the alarming reality has barely registered in most national media.  

Australia is in a national violence against women crisis and while it is prevalent across our community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are 31 times more likely to be hospitalised as a result of violence.  

Our Watch Chief Executive Officer Patty Kinnersly said she was looking forward to the government’s imminent response to the long-running Senate Inquiry into Missing and Murdered First Nations Women, and the recommendations from the NT coroner’s inquest into the deaths of four Aboriginal women. 

“The Senate report found what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have been saying: that they are grossly disproportionately impacted by violence, police often fail to properly investigate, their deaths go under-reported in the media, and there is inadequate data about the crisis,” Ms Kinnersly said.  

“Evidence shows that prevention works when the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and communities are central to shaping solutions. We also support recommendations for stronger governance, greater investment in community-led services and better data. 

“And the media has an important role to be ensuring that the deaths of all women receive equal coverage and dignity. While every death is a tragedy, unfortunately, too often we see greater coverage given to women who fit certain stereotypes.” 

The Northern Territory coroner is due to hand down her report next week (November 25). 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are eight times more likely to die by homicide. During the inquest, the coroner heard at least 83 women had been killed by domestic violence in the Northern Territory since 2000, with more than 90% being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. 

Our Watch Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy, Wiradjuri-Ngunnawal woman Regan Mitchell said the recommendations of counsel-assisting Peggy Dwyer SC included clear actions to prevent further violence. 

“Our people have always known these shocking rates of violence came with colonialism. When combined with racism, poverty, oppression and disrespect for women – particularly for our women - this creates a dangerous breeding ground for violence to take place and be tolerated,” Ms Mitchell said. 

“This violence is not inevitable. Black women need to be believed the first time. Black women and their children need to have the option to leave the violence and have access to safe accommodation, and Black women need to be heard about what they need to be safe.  

“And this violence is preventable through long-term and appropriately-funded services. 

“Other examples include culturally appropriate respectful relationships education across all schools, supported by adequate funding. Prevention also means the same opportunities, the same access to support and to housing, and it means practicing culture and healing.”