BHP Partners with Aboriginal Family Legal Services WA
Press Release
Port Hedland, April 26, 2024 – Aboriginal Family Legal Services WA (AFLS) is excited to announce the formation a two-year partnership with BHP to provide critical preventative education, community connection and social support services to Aboriginal people at risk of or experiencing family and domestic violence (FDV) across the Pilbara.
AFLS Chairperson and Palkyu man Bill Milroy said that the investment by BHP into the safety of their local community was essential, noting the overrepresentation of Aboriginal women as victims of FDV across the Pilbara.
“Rates of family assaults and breaches of Family Violence Restraining Orders in the Pilbara have been steadily growing over the last decade. They have more than tripled in Newman since 2015-16, more than tripled in South Hedland and Roebourne since 2014-15, and more than quadrupled in Karratha since 2014-15. Across WA, Aboriginal women are 45 times more likely to be assaulted by their spouse or partner than non-Aboriginal women, and 17.5 times more likely to be murdered.”
The partnership between AFLS and BHP will support the organisation to strengthen its existing service delivery footprint and meet demand for culturally safe, client centric and trauma informed legal assistance and social service delivery.
“The effect of this partnership is that AFLS will continue employment of a Community Engagement Worker (CEW) and extend our social service delivery model to the Pilbara through the introduction of an Aboriginal Family Advocate (FA) into our Hedland office. The CEW will continue to provide cultural navigation for our office, connect clients to our service and provide preventative education to the community, while the FA will provide intensive case management to victims to support them to address their holistic needs, beyond the demands of their legal matters,” said Mr Millroy.
AFLS A/CEO Gail Dodd emphasised the importance of community engagement and preventative education, coupled with integrated legal and social service delivery, to minimise the risk of violence and meet the needs of clients.
“Our programs are designed to encourage clients to approach and seek assistance from AFLS before their situation escalates. This is critical to minimising the potential for further harm to the client and their family, and to reducing the potential for police, justice or child protection system involvement in the future.”
Cindy Dunham, BHP General Manager Port, Western Australia Iron ore said: “When it comes to family and domestic violence, particularly in the regions, the statistics are really concerning, so we are very pleased to support efforts that can help bring about much needed change.”
“For us, it’s about standing with our communities and backing local organisations like AFLS, which provide culturally appropriate support for victim survivors and their families, and deliver important preventative education programs.”
“Through this partnership with AFLS, we hope to make a meaningful difference to people experiencing family and domestic violence in the Pilbara.”
AFLS is a not for profit, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that provides specialist legal assistance and integrated social supports to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim survivors of FDV and sexual assault.
End release.
Media Requests:
Laney Gould – AFLS Policy Manager
Policy@afls.org.au / (08) 9355 1502
