About Us
The Aboriginal Women & Children’s Crisis Service fundamentally believes in, values and respects the rights of Aboriginal women and children in relation to a life free of violence and oppression.
The Service receives funding from the Department of Family and Community Services to assist Aboriginal women and their dependent children escaping Domestic and/or Family Violence.
The Aboriginal Women & Children’s Crisis Service acknowledges the emotional, social, physical, and psychological effects of colonisation on Aboriginal people. It also recognises that the legacy of colonisation is not in the past and that it continues to impact in a myriad of ways on the lives of Aboriginal people, including their housing, health, mental health and wellbeing.
The staff specialise in delivering a holistic, spiritual and culturally-sensitive approach when supporting Aboriginal women and children who have escaped Domestic and/or Family Violence.
The Service supports Aboriginal women and children through advocacy and referral to various services on behalf of the clients to apply for Apprehended Violence Orders, access crisis accommodation, legal support, housing, women’s health centres, and various government departments.
The Aboriginal Women and Children’s Crisis Service acknowledges that children who access our services require individual trauma-informed care for various complex needs. Children are treated as clients in their own right, and are offered the full range of services available under the guidance of their accompanying parent or carer. Children receive culturally-appropriate case management under the guidance of their accompanying parent or carer.
Our Vision
For Aboriginal women and children to feel empowered, safe and free from violence. We work towards a future where families can heal, thrive and live with dignity, strength and cultural connection.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to provide a culturally safe, physically secure and healing environment where Aboriginal women and children experiencing family and domestic violence are supported, empowered and able to rebuild their lives with dignity, strength and connection to culture.
This purpose guides our daily work, our relationships with community, and our commitment to delivering high‑quality, culturally grounded services.
Organisational Values
AWCCS is guided by a clear set of values that reflect our purpose, our cultural identity, and our commitment to Aboriginal women and children. These values are drawn directly from our Strategic Plan 2025–2026 and shape the way we deliver services, work with community, and govern our organisation.
This purpose guides our daily work, our relationships with community, and our commitment to delivering high‑quality, culturally grounded services.
Our Team
The staff at the Service consists of a Service Manager and specialist Case Workers.
Our Board
The Service has an all-female Board, which has a mix of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women as Board members.
Our Strategic Plan
Empowering Aboriginal women and children is the cornerstone of AWCCS’s identity. AWCCS recognises the importance of the organisation being led by Aboriginal women at all levels of governance and is committed to transitioning to becoming an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation.
