Critical new research examines homicide of First Nations women
Indigenous women are up to seven times more likely to be homicide victims compared with the national average, with almost three quarters killed by their current or former intimate partner.
The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) report Homicide of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women has found that between 1 July 1989 and 30 June 2023, a total of 476 Indigenous women were victims of homicide with seventy-two percent killed by their current or former intimate partner.
These statistics represent the terrible and tragic loss of mothers, sisters, daughters and other deeply loved relatives.
It is not acceptable for losses of this scale to continue.
Ending violence against women and children is a priority for the Albanese Government. We have already invested over $3.4 billion in initiatives to support the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-32.
Last month the Albanese Government committed $4.4 billion in new funding to address the scourge of gender-based violence, provide support for legal service and respond to the Rapid Review into Prevention Approaches, including through investing in frontline services and initiatives to prevent violence.
This includes $800 million in new funding over five years from 2025-26 to the legal assistance sector, with a focus on legal services responding to gender-based violence, including First Nations-specific services.
In August the final report of the Senate Inquiry into missing and murdered First Nations women was published, highlighting the need for accurate data.
The AIC’s report addresses key findings of the Inquiry’s final report. This includes publication of comprehensive and validated data drawn from police and coronial data on Indigenous women victims of homicide (murder and manslaughter). It builds on National Homicide Monitoring Program data provided to the Inquiry and published in the annual Homicide in Australia series.
This data will also be used to track progress of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–32 to reduce the rate of all forms of family violence and abuse against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children by at least 50% by 2031.
The Albanese Government is giving serious consideration to the recommendations of the Senate Inquiry, including through the development of the standalone First Nations National Plan for Family Safety.
The full report is available on the AIC website.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.
If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au
Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Australian Institute of Criminology
The AIC is Australia's national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice. The AIC seeks to promote justice and reduce crime by undertaking and communicating evidence-based research to inform policy and practice.
On 26 June 2024, the AIC released a new online dashboard to monitor intimate partner homicides involving female victims. The dashboard will be updated on a quarterly basis.