The Australian Government has committed $12.92m to the Supporting Healing for Families program focused on delivering culturally safe, trauma informed healing for First Nations children who are impacted by child sexual abuse and their families. The Supporting Healing for Families program is part of the first Commonwealth Action Plan under the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021-2030. The program forms part of the Australian Government’s response to the 2013 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The program contributes to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Targets 13 and 14.
Overview
The Supporting Healing for Families program integrates culturally-based healing approaches that strengthens families and supports safety, connection to identity and recovery from trauma.
The program will be delivered in the following locations:
- Alice Springs, NT
- Derby, WA
- Inner Gippsland, VIC
- Townsville, QLD
- Western Adelaide, SA.
Service delivery has commenced in Inner Gippsland, VIC. The program will start in the remaining 4 communities in early 2026.
SNAICC – National Voice for our Children worked with the five communities to co-design the place-based, trauma aware Healing Models, ensuring the values and priorities of each community were at the forefront.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The Supporting Healing for Families program will be evaluated to strengthen the evidence base for culturally-based healing approaches.
Contact
For questions or further information, please contact familyhealing@niaa.gov.au.