A pioneering, community-led initiative in Far North Queensland is set to strengthen protections for First Nations women against tech‑based abuse, with $200,000 in funding from the Albanese Government.
The project, led by Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), will create a suite of engaging and culturally-relevant communications resources to raise awareness of the impact of online and digital abuse on women and their children.
These resources will be co-designed with local communities and aim to challenge harmful social norms that contribute to gender-based violence. By equipping people with the knowledge and skills to identify, understand, and respond to tech-based abuse, the program seeks to foster safer digital environments.
QRAM is among ten organisations awarded grants in Round 2 of the Albanese Government’s $10 million Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program, administered by the eSafety Commissioner. Other funded projects focus on supporting women with a disability, culturally and linguistically diverse women, and LGBTIQ+ women, recognising that online gender-based violence affects a wide spectrum of communities.
Together, these projects are projected to reach more than five million Australians across Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria, and New South Wales. The program highlights the essential role of communications in shaping social understanding and encouraging protective behaviours across diverse populations.
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Minister for Communications Anika Wells said, “Gender-based violence and abuse is unacceptable in any form, and we know abuse that occurs online or through other digital technology can be particularly insidious. That’s why the Albanese Government is investing $10 million in the latest round of this program to tackle this insidious issue. We’re proud to be partnering with organisations like Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media in their innovative and impactful work to address this serious issue.”
Senator Nita Green, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, emphasised the importance of community education, adding, “Educating people about abuse online through community organisations is just one important way our Government is addressing this issue. That’s why we are funding programs like this in Far North Queensland to help people better understand and deal with tech-based abuse.”
Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith highlighted the scale of the program’s reach, noting, “Programs like this are important in empowering First Nations communities to help people identify and combat abuse online. Importantly, this project is community-led, and will benefit women in more than 120 First Nations communities across Far North Queensland.”
Candice Siedler-Twine, Acting General Manager of QRAM, said, “Remote First Nations communities experience a range of ongoing and emerging issues related to the use of technology, including lack of access, high costs, inadequate services and support, and the potential for technology to be used in the abuse of women and children. By bringing people together to share stories and strategies on how we can better protect and uplift our women and children, we hope to empower First Nations communities and place them at the centre of developing resources that result in meaningful change.”
The project will also integrate social media as a channel to share these communications resources, reinforcing the program’s reach and impact in tackling tech-based abuse.
Adrianne Saplagio is a Content Producer at Comms Room, where she combines her passion for storytelling with her expertise in multimedia content creation. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for engaging audiences, Adrianne has been instrumental in crafting compelling narratives that resonate across various digital platforms.
