Voices of Aboriginal people will be heard during the historic Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, through a unique partnership with the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON).

The Aboriginal Partnership Committee, announced today by Commissioner Natasha Stott Despoja AO, includes representatives from Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) with expertise in the areas of domestic, family and sexual violence services.

The Committee will recommend measures to strengthen the delivery of domestic, family and sexual violence support services to Aboriginal people and Aboriginal communities.

Members of the committee will include the lead convenor of SAACCON Scott Wilson, Ms Olive Bennell from Nunga Mi:Minar – Northen Regional Aboriginal Family Violence Service and Ms Tosha Sambo from the Family Violence Legal Service Aboriginal Corporation SA. It will be co-chaired by Mr Wilson and Commissioner Stott Despoja.

Commissioner Stott Despoja said it was essential that the Commission developed recommendations directed at better supporting Aboriginal families and communities.

“We recognise the high rates of family, domestic and sexual violence experienced by Aboriginal women and children, and the over-representation of Aboriginal people in current service systems. It is critical that we learn about the experiences of Aboriginal people and their communities, and hear their views on what needs to change,” she said.

“One way to hear these voices is to listen to and work in partnership with the community controlled organisations who deliver services to Aboriginal people and communities.”

SAACCON lead convenor Scott Wilson welcomed the initiative, which is the first partnership model to be developed to work alongside a Royal Commission to ensure Aboriginal voices are not only heard, but are central to developing recommendations that will directly impact Aboriginal people.

“This commitment recognises the value of Aboriginal knowledge and lived experiences and places merit on the important role that Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations play in delivering holistic and quality outcomes for our communities,” he said.

Ms Stott Despoja said that as the Committee does its work, the Commission will continue seeking views from Aboriginal people and communities through engaging with the State’s First Nations Voice, through meeting with community members during regional and metropolitan site visits and listening to the views received via the Commission’s online Share With Us tool.

“Since the Commission formally began in July, we have been hearing from key government agencies and sector representatives to understand the systems and processes in place involving those impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence,” she said.

“This Committee will ensure I receive the unfiltered and robust input from our domestic, family and sexual violence service specialists from within South Australia’s thriving ACCO sector.”

The Commission’s Terms of Reference require it to examine four key themes - prevention, early intervention, response, recovery and healing. It has been asked to finalise its report by 1 July 2025.