Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Law and Justice Support Program

About the Program

The Women’s Legal Centre operates a program specifically to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women access the legal system. As the following statistics demonstrate problems faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are far greater than those faced by women in other sections of the community.

The ACT has the highest proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims of physical violence in Australia. More than 33% (one in three) reported physical violence or threats in the last year compared to 24% (one in four) nationally. 1
Family breakdown is much higher in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community than for the rest of the Canberra community. 2
By the age of 5, less than half of Canberra’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children live with both parents. By the age of 10-14 years, slightly over 40% live with both their parents. 3
The number of Indigenous children involved with Care and Protection Services is about 7 times higher than for non-indigenous children. 4

Whilst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Canberra make up only 1% of the total population, they comprise approximately 10% of people in the justice system. 5

1 A Social and Cultural Profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Canberra, at 65
2 Ibid at 17
3 Ibid at 19
4 Circles of Support, towards Indigenous Justice: Prevention, Diversion & Rehabilitation, ACTCOSS and the AJC, July 2008 at page 12
5 Chief Minister’s Department, ACT Government A Social and Cultural Profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Canberra, August 2004, p6. Available at: http://www.cmd.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/1872/social_cultural.pdf