Violence against Indigenous women is an issue of national importance, acknowledged in national policies as well as in community programs and initiatives. It is difficult to assess the full extent of violence against Indigenous women and many responses aimed at preventing and reducing violence occur mostly in small programs in community settings.

This report presents published information currently available on Indigenous women and violence. Based on an extensive literature review of journal articles, evaluation reports and
community reports we summarise and synthesise existing information to answer four key questions:
1. What is known about violence against Indigenous women?
2. How do Indigenous women and communities see and experience the issue of violence against women (including definitions of family violence)?
3. What are the current responses (programs or approaches) to violence against women in Indigenous communities?
4. What are the Indigenous viewpoints on what works and what is needed?

Suggested citation:
Olsen, A., & Lovett, R. (2016). Existing knowledge, practice and responses to violence against women in Australian Indigenous communities: State of knowledge paper (ANROWS Landscapes, 02/2016). Sydney: ANROWS.