news, local-news, What's Your Plant?, Domestic violence Orange, Domestic violence program, Domestic Violence offenders program, What's Your Plan? domestic violence, Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal domestic violence program

A pilot program that started in Orange in March to reduce cases of domestic violence in Aboriginal communities, will be extended across 46 sites in NSW. Attorney-General Mark Speakman and the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward announced the extension of the voluntary program, What’s Your Plan, on Wednesday. Orange was one of seven pilot sites along with Broken Hill, Downing Centre, Walgett, Blacktown, Coffs Harbour and Batemans Bay, with Dubbo, Forbes, Parkes and Wellington included in the extension. It involves Aboriginal client and community support officers working closely with Aboriginal defendants to develop tailored strategies so they do not breach Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs). Strategies include providing them with SMS reminders for court dates and follow up calls on progress. “Aboriginal defendants unfortunately account for a quarter of all breaches of ADVOs. Aboriginal people make up just three per cent of the NSW population,” Mr Speakman said. The Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT (ALS), chairman Bunja Smith welcomed the expansion saying the organisation had zero tolerance for domestic violence. “We applaud this support program and are particularly pleased that it will be delivered in a culturally safe way, through Aboriginal Court Support Officers,” Mr Smith said. “The program is voluntary, which again is a positive step, as it is something that has not been decided for, and forced upon our clients, which is what we find often happens with government policy.” Mr Smith said the ALS was concerned an increasing number of Aboriginal people were being charged with stalking and intimidation offences under domestic violence laws. He said recent statistics issued by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics showed a 25 per cent increase in the incarceration of Aboriginal people in NSW since 2013. The rate of Aboriginal people jailed for stalking and intimidation offences was also eight times higher in 2016 than in 2012.

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