We walk alongside Aboriginal women and their children on their journey to safety and wellbeing.
Welcome to Djirra
Djirra is safe place where culture is shared and celebrated.
We offer a range of practical supports to Aboriginal women and children in Victoria, particularly those who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, family violence.
The work we do is designed by and for Aboriginal women, with self-determination at its heart.
Through supports, programs and loud advocacy, we are committed to a future where Aboriginal women don’t just survive, we thrive.
What we do
Legal Service
Upcoming Events
If you are experiencing family violence and need support please call 1800DJIRRA (1800 354 772).
If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
On this day 18 years ago, the Federal Government apologised to the Stolen Generations. We pause to acknowledge those who were taken. We acknowledge not only their pain, but their strength and resilience in calling for change. We acknowledge the many who never returned home.
We also pause to acknowledge the many children who continue to be taken today. Too many children are lost in the system, losing their identity and connection to culture.
The Closing the Gap Report released yesterday shows that only 4 of the 19 targets are on track to be met. Governments are failing to close the gap on our children being taken. Instead, the gap is widening. This demands a new way.
In Victoria today, Aboriginal children are taken from their mums and families at a rate that is double the national average (105.9/1000).
In our work, we see how the system perpetuates the violence that Aboriginal women experience. We see the racist and punitive responses and how our women are blamed and punished for the violence they experience, rather than supported to escape the violence safely with their children.
The only way that this will end is by introducing a new way that does not involve investing in punitive systems.
Our CEO @Antoinette_Braybrook says, “Today we honour our stolen generations. We see you, we hear you and we honour your truth. It is unacceptable that our children are still being taken at vastly disproportionate rates and lost in a punitive and racist system. Governments must stop investing in these systems and start investing in our specialist services that keep women and children safe and together. Our women deserve safety, not surveillance or control.”
Djirra continues to urgently call on the Victorian government to implement and resource Yoorrook rec #12 and establish a Child Protection Notification and Referral System to ensure mums are referred for immediate legal advice and representing when child protection becomes involved. This is our self determined solution - it is a game changer. We will not allow governments to take what we know works, and manipulate it to suit their agendas.
#OchreRibbonWeek #DontSilenceTheViolence #AboriginalWomensLivesMatter
Today is the start of Ochre Ribbon Week – a national Aboriginal-led campaign to end the devastating violence against Aboriginal women and children.
Initiated by @aboriginalfamilylegalservices 11 years ago, Djirra has used the campaign in Victoria to demand change, amplify Aboriginal women’s voices and centre our experiences.
Despite years of advocacy, violence against Aboriginal women continues to rise at an appalling rate. This is more than a national crisis - we have an epidemic unfolding right in front of us.
It is unacceptable that still today, Aboriginal women in Victoria are 45 times more likely to experience family violence than other women.
@antoinette_braybrook AM, CEO of Djirra said:
“Already this year, of the six women murdered, three are Aboriginal women. Every life tragically taken is a reminder that urgent action is needed. We stand firm in calling for more funding to specialist Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services (FVPLSs) that put women and children’s safety first.”
Over this Ochre Ribbon week, Djirra will join the dots highlighting the connection between gender-based violence, systemic violence and racism, and the unique and devastating impacts on Aboriginal women and our children.
Come on this journey with us to understand the experiences of our women and children.
Stand with us and back in our calls for greater investment into specialist services like Djirra.
Aboriginal women deserve an advocate. Aboriginal women and children deserve to be safe and thriving.
#OchreRibbonWeek #DontSilenceTheViolence #AboriginalWomensLivesMatter
This morning, our CEO @Antoinette_Braybrook attended the historic launch of Our Ways - Strong Ways - Our Voices, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026–2036.
For over a decade, Antoinette has stood alongside other First Nations women calling for a dedicated plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children. Today, these calls were heard.
Djirra welcomes the announcement made by @tanyaplibersek when launching the plan today, for an additional $218 million investment over 4 years for up to 40 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
Our CEO @Antoinette_Braybrook says, “This plan together with the funding announced today represents a tangible commitment towards ending the devastating reality faced by too many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in our country. Now it’s time for action.”
Djirra, together with other specialist Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services, look forward to working with government and other stakeholders to ensure that all Aboriginal women, no matter where they live, have access to specialist services that put their safety first.
#wehavethesolutions #selfdetermination
📸 @tanyaplibersek @sueanne_hunter @maria.dimopoulos
2026 has begun with heartbreak and outrage.
Six women have been killed by male violence this year. Three are Aboriginal women.
This is not a coincidence.
This is a national crisis.
Aboriginal women experience family violence at far higher rates than other women, with devastating impacts on families, children and communities.
Two in three Aboriginal women supported by Djirra’s legal service have experienced violence from a non-Aboriginal partner. Violence against Aboriginal women is a gendered issue and must not be mislabeled as “violence in Aboriginal communities”
Djirra CEO @antoinette_braybrook said, “Aboriginal women are being killed because male violence continues to be minimised, tolerated and inadequately responded to. We need political will across all levels of government to prioritise the safety of all women, and urgent investment into our specialist services that save lives”
Women’s safety demands:
• Decisions not reviews
• Funding not pilots
• Urgency not delay
• Accountability not statements
Hey sisters, we have our first Sisters Day Out booked for 2026, in Cranbourne! 💖✨💖✨
Come and hear all about Djirra’s services and programs, along with the opportunity to connect with other local services on the day. We will also have cultural and well-being activities for you to join in and enjoy.
All registered participants will receive a show bag and t-shirt.
✨ Tuesday 10th February
💖 Southside Racing- 50 Grant Street, Cranbourne
✨ 9.30am to 3pm (morning tea & lunch provided)
For more info or to register, give us a call on 1800 105 303 or visit link in bio.
Registrations close Wednesday 4 Feb so please get in ASAP!
Hey sisters, we still have spots free in the following workshops!
✨Feather Headdresses with Amanda from Wax Treasures Feathers (Abbotsford)
✨Remember Your Power with Yolanda (Online)
✨Customised tees with Tahnee from Gammin threads (Melton)
✨Charm bracelets with Kristy from Haus of Dizzy (Abbotsford)
✨Earring Making with Little Black Duck (Online)
✨Perfume Making Karinda Eggington from Key of Life Shop (Abbotsford)
Also both of our Mildura workshops have spaces
✨Healing Stones with Elisha Mangal (Mildura)
✨Warrior Heart with Shantelle Thompson (Mildura)
KWP workshops are free and open to all Aboriginal women.
To register please contact KWP on 1800 105 303 (and press 3) or email kwp@djirra.org.au
Stay deadly you mob
Due to the extreme fire risk in Victoria, Djirra`s regional offices are closed today. This includes our offices in Bendigo, Bairnsdale, Echuca, Melton, Mildura, Morwell, Shepparton and Warrnambool.
Djirra staff are still working and are available to provide support over the phone.
Please call 1800 DJIRRA or 1800 105 303 to be connected to support.
Access to our Abbotsford offices remains unchanged.
Follow @vicemergency and @cfavic for updates and information on the fire risk.
You can call 13 YARN (13 92 76) for a confidential yarn with an Aboriginal led support line.
If you have an immediate concern for your safety, please call 000.
On January 26 - Invasion Day - we honour all Aboriginal people as the Traditional Custodians of this land. We acknowledge the strength of our cultures, our survival and our enduring resilience.
@antoinette_braybrook AM, CEO of Djirra, said:
“Invasion Day for our people is about survival and courage. This day reminds us of the ongoing impacts of invasion and how much more needs to be done to achieve justice, recognition and self-determination.
On this day, we ask you to stand with us in asserting our voices, our choices, and Aboriginal women’s right to determine our own future.”
Today out of respect for Aboriginal staff, women and many others, Djirra’s offices will be closed. It is important for our people to take time on this day to heal in our own way.
If you have an immediate concern for your safety, please call 000. Support services available during this time:
🖤 Family violence support (24/7): Safe Steps – 1800 015 188
💛 LGBTIQ+SB community support (10am–5pm/7 days): Rainbow Door – 1800 729 367
❤️ Homelessness crisis support: Victoria – 1800 825 955
💛 Sexual Assault Crisis Line (after hours): SACL – 1800 806 292
🖤 Crisis support & yarning services (24/7):
• Lifeline – 13 11 14
• Yarning Safe ’N’ Strong – 1800 959 563
• 13YARN – 13 92 76; 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732
#AboriginalWomensLivesMatter #WeHaveTheSolutions #InvasionDay
We are holding space to honour strength, survival and resistance.
Invasion Day is tough. Racist views and harmful narratives flood mainstream and social media, making it hard to avoid messages that dismiss our history, pain and lived reality.
It can help to remember the strength of our Elders, past and present, and to remember the strength of family and community.
We have survived and we are thriving. Be proud of who you are, of your family, of your culture, story and journey. Taking care of yourself matters. Here are a few ideas:
🖤Take a break from social media (and don’t read the comments).
💛Spend time with mob on Country.
❤️Have a cuppa and a yarn, cook a big feed, reach out for support.
Freecall us on 1800 DJIRRA, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and we can link you with the support you need.
For 24/7 support, you can also freecall:
13YARN: 13 92 76
Yarning SafeNStrong: 1800 959 563
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
Artwork by the deadly @desirai.art🖤💛❤️
#AboriginalWomensLivesMatter #WeHaveTheSolutions #InvasionDay
