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VICTORIAN CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNA\b0\b\fs23 L \b0\b\fs23 ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LIS\b0\b\fs23 T \b0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s1\sa475\qc\sl253\slmult0\i\fs23\f1 Application under section 83 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (Vic) \i0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s3\s2\sa247\qj\sl253\slmult0\b\fs23\f0 
ABORIGINAL FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION & LEGAL SERVICE (VICTORIA) \b0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s1\sa590\qc\sl253\slmult0\fs23\f2 Applicant \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s1\s4\sa377\qc\sl253\slmult0\b\fs23\f0 AFFIDAVIT OF SHELLEY FRANCES BURCHFIELD \b0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s3\qj\sl253\slmult0\b\fs23 
I, SHELLEY FRANCES BURCHFIELD of \b0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s3\s2\sa247\qj\sl253\slmult0\fs23\f2 the State of Victoria, solicitor/policy development worker, \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s3\s2\sa247\qj\sl253\slmult0\fs23 Make oath and say: \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\plain\pghsxn16860\pgwsxn11940\margtsxn1400\margbsxn0\margrsxn900\marglsxn900\par\'20\pard\par\pard\s3\s5\sa110\qj\sl253\slmult0\b\fs23\f0 
Personal background \b0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s6\s5\sa110\fi-658\li657\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23\f2 1 Since May 2008 1 have been employed in policy development positions with the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service\b\fs23\f0  (FVPLS Victoria).
\b0\fs23\f2  Prior to this I was the principal solicitor at FVPLS Victoria from March 2004 lo April 2008. In this position, I was responsible for the legal practice of FVPLS Victoria which included the supervision of employee solicitors and oversight of compliance with all professional requirements of the legal practice. With the CEO I was responsible for development and delivery of both direct legal services and community legal education. I also contributed to law reform and policy development initiatives relevant to the work of FVPLS Victoria. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s6\s5\sa110\fi-658\li657\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 2 I am a registered Migration Agent and between 2004 and 2009 was employed part time as the women's legal advocate al the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in West Melbourne, a position funded by the Victorian Women's Trust. In this position 1 provided legal assistance to women seeking asylum in Australia, particularly with claims of gender based persecution within an international human rights context. I also made submission to government with respect to development of Gender Guidelines in the refugee determination process. I continue this work on a voluntary basis. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s6\s2\sa247\fi-658\li657\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 3 I have been employed in the community legal sector for about 16 years. During this time a large portion of my legal work has been with and for women victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault. I have also been involved in significant litigation and law reform work relating to the Victorian Prison system. Between 1997 and 2007 I was a 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s7\qj\sl173\slmult0\fs15\f3 Filed on behalf of the Applicant, FVPLS by: DX. 240 Melbourne \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\sa180\ri302\qj\sl173\slmult0\fs15 Freehilts Tel. 03 9288 1234 Level 43, 101 Collins Street Fax 03 9288 1567 MELBOURNE VIC 3000 Ref. Lisa Croxford 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s7\qj\sl173\slmult0\fs15 \\005107843 \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s8\s5\pagebb\sa110\ri1032\li687\qj\sl393\slmult0\fs23\f2 member of the management committee of Flat Out, an agency which provides pre and post relea.se housing and general support to women and their children who have experienced imprisonment. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s9\s5\sa110\fi-685\ri1025\li685\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 4 I make this affidavit from my own knowledge save where otherwise indicated. Wherever I depose to matters based on information provided to me by others T believe that information to be true and correct. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\plain\pghsxn16860\pgwsxn11940\margtsxn1400\margbsxn0\margrsxn900\marglsxn900\par\pard\s5\sa110\qj\sl396\slmult0\b\fs23 The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples \b0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s9\s5\sa110\fi-685\ri1025\li685\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23\f2 
5 The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People 2007 at Article 22 states the following \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\sa110\fi-345\li1050\sl391\slmult0\fs23 /.\i\fs23\f1  Particular attention shall be paid to the. rights and special needs of indigenous elders, women, youth, children and persons with disabilities in the implementation of this
\i0\fs23\f2  \u8226 \'95! \i\fs23\f1 Declaration. \i0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\sa110\fi-345\ri1040\li1045\qj\sl391\slmult0\i\fs23 2\i0\i\fs23 .\tab \i0\i\fs23  States shall take measures, in conjunction with indigenous peoples, to ensure that indigenous women and children enjoy the full protection and guarantees against alt forms of violence and discrimination. 
\i0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s8\s5\sa110\ri1032\li687\qj\sl393\slmult0\fs23\f2 The inclusion of Article 22 recognises and encourages special measures, such as is sought in ihis application to protect Indigenous women and children from violence and discrimination. It recognises the unique intersection between issues of race and gender which cannot be considered in isolation from each other in advancing the situation and safety of Indigenous women and children. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\sa110\ri1042\qj\sl418\slmult0\b\fs23\f0 The Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women OCEDAW*) \b0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s9\s5\sa110\fi-685\ri1025\li685\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23\f2 ft The 2006 concluding comments of the CEDAW committee for Australia expressed concern at the ongoing inequalities suffered by Indigenous women, and recommended that Australia 'adopt and implement targeted measures, including temporary special measures... to improve indigenous women's enjoyment of their human rights in all sectors'. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s10\s5\sa110\li65\qj\sl403\slmult0\b\fs23\f0 Concluding Observations of the\b0\fs23\f2  United\b\fs23\f0  Nations Human Rights Committee - Australia \b0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\plain\pghsxn16860\pgwsxn11940\margtsxn1400\margbsxn0\margrsxn900\marglsxn900\par\pard\s10\s5\sa110\li65\qj\sl403\slmult0\b\fs23 
April 2009 \b0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s11\s12\sa530\fi-668\li775\qj\sl403\slmult0\fs23\f2 7 The United Nations Human Rights Committee's 2009 report on Australia's complianc\fs23 e \fs23 with the\i\fs23\f1  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
\i0\fs23\f2  expresses concern at th\fs23 e \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\li72\qj\fs16 \\OQ5107843 \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s13\s5\pagebb\sa110\li645\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 high levels of violence against Indigenous women and calls for strengthened efforts toward its elimination. The Committee also urges measures to improve access to the justice system for Indigenous people and increased efforts 'for an effective consultation with indigenous peoples in decision-making in all areas having an impact on their rights'. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\sa110\ri2342\li445\sl431\slmult0\fs25 Priority areas of law \fs23 8 FVPLS Victoria provides legal assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault in Victoria and to non ATSI parents or carers of Indigenous children. The service does not assist perpetrators. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s14\s5\sa110\sl398\slmult0\fs23 9 FVPl-S Victoria specialises in and provides services in relation to the following areas: \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s14\s5\sa110\sl398\slmult0\fs23 Family violence law incorporating intervention orders; 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s14\s5\sa110\sl398\slmult0\fs23 Sexual assault \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s14\s5\sa110\sl398\slmult0\fs23 Child protection; \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s14\s5\sa110\sl398\slmult0\fs23 Victims assistance\fs23 ; and \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s14\s5\sa110\sl398\slmult0\fs23 
Family law (where it relates to family violence). \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s6\s5\sa110\fi-658\li657\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 10 It is the role of the principal solicitor to provide legal assistance to clients of FVPLS Victoria in the areas listed in paragraph 7, to oversee the legal practice and to contribute to policy development and law reform activity. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s15\sa655\fi-628\li1347\sl398\slmult0\fs23 11 Often clients who contact or are referred to FVPLS Victoria have multiple legal problems as a result of ongoing and past family violence. This requires FVPLS Victoria solicitors to assist with a number of legal issues simultaneously. For example, clients who have been victims oF family violence where children were present, often require assistance with obtaining intervention orders against generally male perpetrators. This involves making applications at the relevant Magistrates Court for interim and final intervention orders generally in favour of mother and children. Where the Department of Human Services has been notified and commenced an application for a protection order in the ºÚÁÏÇ鱨վ's Court, FVPLS Victoria is also required to provide representation in this proceeding which may be lengthy dependant upon the nature and duration of orders made. If the parent victim of violence or the children are eligible, FVPLS Victoria will also make urgent victims assistance applications on their behalf, to assist with expenses and other support needs arising due to the violence. Often women and children are forced to flee from their home due to safety concerns and require urgent assistance in settling 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\fs14\f3 \\005107B43 \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\pagebb\sa110\ri102\li620\sl396\slmult0\fs23\f2 into emergency or transitional accommodation. Urgent crisis counselling is often also needed to reduce the immediate Irauma ol" the victim/survivor. If child protection proceedings have not issued, family law assistance is often required to ensure arrangements for the children are secure and appropriate. In some instances, assistance is required with the division of matrimonial or defacto property following separation. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s16\s5\sa110\fi-655\ri95\li655\sl400\slmult0\fs23 12 Unfortunately many clients assisted by FVPLS have a history of childhood abuse including sexual assault. This issue is often disclosed during discussions about current family violence issues. Referral to specialist counselling and support services normally follows and a further victim's assistance claim may be appropriate. In my experience the majority of perpetrators of these crimes arc men. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s17\s5\sa110\fi-638\li637\sl403\slmult0\fs23 13 FVPLS Victoria assists children who are victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault. The children may be secondary victims of violence having witnessed assaults upon their parent (usually the mother) and have suffered trauma as a result. The children may also be primary victims of family violence or sexual assault and require referral to specialist children's counselling and support services. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s17\s5\sa110\fi-638\li637\sl403\slmult0\fs23 14 FVPLS Victoria employs paralegal support workers, a community education worker, short term policy/project workers and administrative staff. Counselling services are currently outsourced. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s15\sa655\fi-628\ri85\li720\sl396\slmult0\fs23 15 The major community legal education program undertaken by FVPLS Victoria across the state is 'Sisters Day Out' comprising well being workshops for Koori women. \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s18\sa305\li100\sl398\slmult0\fs23 
Skills required for the performance of the role \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s19\fi-630\li750\sl398\slmult0\fs23 16 In providing legal services and undertaking other roles at FVPLS Victoria it is necessary to be aware of and sensitive to the broader issues of clients lives. Issues relating to homelessness, mental health, physical ill-health, drug or alcohol use and past trauma are prevalent and need to be addressed if progress is to be made in relation to legal issues. Traumatic life history resulting from family dislocation, stolen generation issues, racism and discrimination often contribute to a clients presenting situation. Damaging experiences with the justice system and white authority more generally mean there is a reluctance of victims/survivors to seek legal assistance through police, courts and 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\sa772\fi677\li130\sl400\slmult0\fs23 lawyers. \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s20\s5\sa110\qj\fs16 \\005107S43 \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\li3722\fs29 "V \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s6\pagebb\fi-658\li657\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 17 It is critical thai ATSI solicitors are employed at FVPLS Victoria to attract and benefit FVPLS Victoria clients through engendering trust and understanding in relation to cultural issues. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\sa110\fi-655\ri1185\li1245\sl416\slmult0\fs23 18 Some clients of FVPLS Victoria express a preference to be assisted by a non ATSI solicitor for reasons of confidentiality however it is crucial that ATSI solicitors are also available to assist clients, to mentor non Indigenous staff and to lead FVPLS Victoria's contribution to improved ATSI accessibility and cultural sensitivity within the law and justice system. 19 ATSI staff are also needed to provide culturally appropriate community legal education lo Indigenous and mainstream communities, to inform and lead law reform and policy development and to contribute to the overall development of FVPLS Victoria as an ATSI organisation. 90 During my period of employment as principal solicitor I undertook cultural awareness training and frequently consulted with ATSI staff and Board members about cultural issues. Whilst this goes some way to addressing issues of cultural sensitivity it does not equate with employment of ATSI staff. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s6\s5\sa110\fi-658\li657\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 21 Only ATSI staff can have meaningful input to some facets of the service. As a non ATSI principal solicitor at FVPLS Victoria there were issues of both a practical and policy nature where due to issues of culture and respect 1 was unable to input. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s11\s5\sa110\fi-668\li775\qj\sl403\slmult0\fs23 22 There are many key ATSI reference groups, forums and committees which are open only to Indigenous participants. Employment of non ATSI staff limits participation of FVPLS Victoria and hence reduces the effectiveness of the organisation and its ability to advance law and justice outcomes for ATSI women and children. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s11\s5\sa110\fi-668\li775\qj\sl403\slmult0\fs23 23 It is also important that positions of relative power am filled by ATSI staff to assist in dismantling systemic disadvantage, racism and discrimination. It is a source of great pride and inspiration to other ATSI women and clients of FVPLS Victoria that Antoinette Braybrook, an Aboriginal woman, is the CEO of FVPLS Victoria. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s11\s5\sa110\fi-668\li775\qj\sl403\slmult0\fs23 24 The majority of the clients of FVPLS Victoria are women and children and the majority of perpetrators are male as is consistent with statistics relating to family violence in the broader community. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s21\s12\sa530\fi-663\li817\qj\sl403\slmult0\fs23 25 Women who have been victims of family violence or sexual assault at the hands of a male perpetrator often will not, and cannot, speak to a male about these issues. I have \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s20\qj\fs14\f3 
\\OQ5107843 \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\li2607\fs16\f2 .\i\fs16\f1  t\i0\fs16\f2  I N \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s13\s5\pagebb\sa110\li645\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 appeared in a matter where a male Magistrate hearing a victim's assistance application in the Koori list of VOCAT agreed that the application which related to sexual assault and required evidence from the applicant should be heard by a female Tribunal Member. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s6\s5\sa110\fi-658\li657\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 26 Clients are referred to FVPLS Victoria in the main by other ATSI support workers or support workers employed in Indigenous organisations. These workers are women. All of the staff employed at Elizabeth Hoffman House the only ATSI refuge for women in Victoria are women. Other agencies that FVPLS Victoria has strong connection with, and refer to, including the Centre's Against Sexual Assault and the Domestic Violence Crisis Service and are staffed by or predominantly by women. This indicates acceptance amongst other community organisations working in this area that women who arc victims of family violence/sexual assault prefer to be supported by women. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\qr\sl396\slmult0\fs23 27 In many instances it is extremely difficult For ATSI women to disclose issues relating to family violence and sexual assault. FVPLS Victoria recognises this ay a significant barrier to family violence prevention and seeks to actively support women to seek legal and other assistance to ensure their safety and well being. Where sensitive issues of sexual assault are to be discussed women will often not disclose to men or be open about the issues. All of the staff at FVPLS Victoria are currently women. I believe that this has encouraged women to seek assistance from the service about these sensitive issues. Confidentiality and trust is also of critical importance in this area. As a woman I believe I have been able to gain the trust of women victims/survivors so that they are comfortable in disclosing information not just about the crimes that have occurred against thorn but 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\sa110\li785\qj\sl400\slmult0\fs23 about their personal history, their health issues, their fears and their children. FVPLS Victoria and the FVPLS funding program generally favours a holistic approach to prevention of family violence and in service provision. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s11\sa1127\fi-668\li775\qj\sl403\slmult0\fs23 28 As FVPLS Victoria does not currently have any male staff employed, I cannot give evidence of FVPLS clients preferring female solicitors. All FVPLS Victoria clients are allocated female solicitors. I am aware that many community contacts with our organisation are made through our CEO Antoinette Braybrook an Aboriginal woman who then refers these clients to the FVPLS Victoria solicitors. I am also aware that all of the women clients I have assisted at FVPLS Victoria have requested female counsellors and have not wanted to see a male counsellor in relation to issues of family violence and/or sexual assault. Some women who prior to their contact with FVPLS Victoria were seemg 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\li210\fs14\f3 \\005107843 \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\pagebb\sa110\li640\fs23\f2 male workers were not aware of their right to ask for a woman and subsequently \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\sa110\fi647\fs23 expressed that preference when given the choice. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s16\s5\sa110\fi-655\ri95\li655\sl400\slmult0\fs23 "*y The few adult males I have represented at FVPLS Victoria have expressed no reservation about being assisted by a female solicitor. One adult male survivor of child sexual abuse by another male expressed preference for a female solicitor and counsellor, although did successfully access a male counsellor. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\sa110\ri1315\li580\sl411\slmult0\fs25 Benefits to Clients - statistics \i\fs23\f1 "-,()\i0\fs23\f2  The most recent statistical report released in Victoria - 'Measuring Family Violence in Victoria' Victorian Family Violence Database Seven year trend analysis 1999 - 2008 details as a key finding that .. 'the vast majority of Indigenous victims of family violence were female - increasing from 70 per cent to over 90 per cent in 2007-2008'. Now produced, shown to me and marked
\b\fs23\f0  "SFB-J"\b0\fs23\f2  is a copy of the relevant pages of the report. \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s19\s5\sa110\fi-630\li750\sl398\slmult0\fs23 il Keeping in mind underreporting to police by ATSI victims of family violence and sexual assault, Victoria police statistics as detailed in the 2009 report by the Productivity Commission Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision, 'Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Key Indicators' indicate the rate of domestic violence related assault for Indigenous women in Victoria as five times as high as the rate of the total female population. Now produced, shown to me and marked
\b\fs23\f0  "SFB-2"\b0\fs23\f2  is a copy of the relevant pages of the report. \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s18\li100\sl398\slmult0\fs23 32 VicHealth research detailed in its 2004 report The Health costs of violence : measuring \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\sa110\li785\sl396\slmult0\fs23 
the bi'r^ji\'A3tLdiSg\'A7gg.-P-\fs15\super\up10 ause\up0\nosupersub\fs23\fs23 ^ by intimate partner violence' has shown that family violence is the most important driver of the burden of disease, disability and death for women under 45 in Victoria. Now produced, shown to me and marked
\b\fs23\f0  "SFB-3"\b0\fs23\f2  is a copy of the relevant pages of the report. \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s22\sa722\li140\qr\sl398\slmult0\fs23 33 The consultative draft National Indigenous Law and Justice Strategy released by the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department in 2007 states at p21 ../The levels of family violence in Indigenous communities remains unacceptably high....The victims of family violence are disproportionately women and children ...The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found that in 2003 Indigenous women were 28 times more likely than non - Indigenous women to be victims of family violence and other assaults.' The report also states at pages S and 9...'Over 10 years ago Indigenous women were found to be the most legally disadvanlaged group in Australia, according to an Australian Law Reform 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s20\qj\fs16 \\Q05107843 \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\li3860\fs16 \\ \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\pagebb\sa110\ri152\li590\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 Commission report. Despite many improvements, such as Ihe introduction of specific legal services for Indigenous women, significant disadvantages still exist...Lack ot attention to their distinct needs may marginalise Indigenous women, and entrenches inequalities in service delivery. Services to Indigenous women need to be targeted, culturally sensitive and more work needs to be done on assessing unmet need.' Now produced, shown to me and marked "SFB-4" is a copy of relevant pages of the report. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\ri102\li647\qc\sl393\slmult0\fs23 A 2004 Victorian report - From Shame to Pride Access to Sexual Assault Services for Indigenous People - A Partnership Project between Elizabeth Hoffman House and CASA House identified and documented key issues in relation to sexual assault in ATSI communities. Gaps and barriers preventing ATSI people from accessing sexual assault services are documented in the report as including lack of ATSI specific service options for victims and lack of ATSI staff based at mainstream sexual assault services. A literature review within the report also referred to research indicating the vast majority of 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s23\sa47\ri90\li735\qj\sl426\slmult0\fs23 ATSI rape victims as Indigenous women and vast underreporting of sexual assault by ATSI women. Now produced, shown to me and marked "SFB-5" is a copy of the relevant pages of the report. \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s22\li140\qr\sl398\slmult0\fs23 
^ The Australian Law Reform Commission in its 1994 report 'Equality Before the Law; Justice for Women' dealt with the issue of access to justice and legal services for Indigenous women informed by submissions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and organisations . The report stated ... Of all the identifiable groups of women whose concerns have been presented to the Commission, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are least well served by the legal system/ In acknowledging issues of cultural and gender sensitivity for Indigenous women the report went on to conclude... 'It 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\sa110\fi-173\li857\qj\sl406\slmult0\fs23 ' is essential that measures to increase indigenous women's access to justice begin by giving status to women.\fs15\super\up10 1\up0\nosupersub\fs23\fs23  This requires that women determine the nature of the service and control the delivery of the service'. Now produced, shown to me and marked
\b\fs23\f0  "SFB\-\b0\fs23\f2 6" is a copy of the relevant pages of the report. \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\sa110\fi-648\li907\qj\sl411\slmult0\i\fs23\f1 K\i0\fs23\f2  In relation to legal service provision for ATSI women the following comments pertinent to this application are made by the Aboriginal and Torres Strail Islander Social Justice Commissioner, in the Social Justice Report 2004 (2005) 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s15\sa655\fi295\li950\qj\sl408\slmult0\fs23 The lack of attention to the distinct needs of Indigenous women marginalises them and entrenches inequalities in service delivery. It can lead to intersectional discrimination'. The report goes on to quote ihc Social Justice Report 2003 as follows, 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\li325\qj\fs16 \\Q05107843 \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s5\pagebb\sa110\fi330\qj\sl398\slmult0\fs23 'Indigenous women's experience of discrimination and violence is bound up in the colour of their skin as well as their gender... The unique dimensions of violence against Aboriginal women are a result of complex factors and socio-historical and contemporary experiences and must be considered when attempting to provide solutions that are relevant to the specific situations and needs of Aboriginal women. Solutions to problems, no matter how well-intentioned, can create further problems for subordinated groups within a society, particularly when the 'solutions' are based in a systemic structure that has functioned abusively on the subordinated group.' Now produced, shown to me and marked "SFB-7" is a copy of the relevant pages of the report. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s6\s5\sa110\fi-658\li657\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 37 It is my view that special measures are required which address the high levels of family violence and sexual assault against ATSI women and children. Funding of dedicated legal and support services tor ATSI victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault (the majority being women and children) is relatively recent and developed in recognition of a significant gap resulting in inferior legal and associated services for ATSI women and children. The Commonwealth Attorney General's Department in late 2007 has itself acknowledged that 'significant disadvantage' remains for ATSI women. 
\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s6\sa1555\fi-658\li657\qj\sl396\slmult0\fs23 38 Whilst not a women specific service, FVPLS Victoria is the key ATSI organisation providing legal and associated supports to ATSI victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault in this State, the vast majority of whom are women and children. There is no dedicated legal service for ATSI women in Victoria. FVPLS Victoria musl position itself to engender optimum trust and confidence in ATSI women through provision of culturally and gender sensitive services. The exemption sought in this application will support this objective. 
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Sworn at\cf0\fs23\f2 :\cell {\pard\plain\intbl}\pard\plain\intbl\qc\cell {\pard\plain\intbl}\pard\plain\intbl\qr\cell {\pard\plain\intbl}\pard\plain\intbl\ql\cf0\fs23\f2  ) \cell {\pard\plain\intbl}{\trowd\irow0\irowband0\trgaph108\trrh172\trleft-108\trbrdrt\brdrnil\trbrdrb\brdrnil\trbrdrl\brdrnil\trbrdrr\brdrnil\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2760\clshdrawnil\cellx1272\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth620\clshdrawnil\cellx1582\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2005\clshdrawnil\cellx2584\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3617\clshdrawnil\cellx4392\row}\trowd\irow1\irowband1\trgaph108\trrh290\trleft-108\trbrdrt\brdrnil\trbrdrb\brdrnil\trbrdrl\brdrnil\trbrdrr\brdrnil\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2760\clshdrawnil\cellx1272\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth620\clshdrawnil\cellx1582\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2005\clshdrawnil\cellx2584\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth455\clshdrawnil\cellx2811\clvertalb\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3160\clshdrawnil\cellx4391\pard\plain\intbl\ql\cf0\fs23\f2 
In the State of Victoria, this\cell {\pard\plain\intbl}\pard\plain\intbl\qc\cf0\fs23\f2  1st\cell {\pard\plain\intbl}\pard\plain\intbl\qr\cf0\fs23\f2  day of April 2010 \cell {\pard\plain\intbl}\pard\plain\intbl\ql\cell {\pard\plain\intbl}\pard\plain\intbl\ql\cf0\fs43\f3 
7 \cell {\pard\plain\intbl}{\trowd\irow1\irowband1\trgaph108\trrh290\trleft-108\trbrdrt\brdrnil\trbrdrb\brdrnil\trbrdrl\brdrnil\trbrdrr\brdrnil\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2760\clshdrawnil\cellx1272\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth620\clshdrawnil\cellx1582\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2005\clshdrawnil\cellx2584\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth455\clshdrawnil\cellx2811\clvertalb\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3160\clshdrawnil\cellx4391\row}\trowd\irow2\irowband2\lastrow\trgaph108\trrh116\trleft-108\trbrdrt\brdrnil\trbrdrb\brdrnil\trbrdrl\brdrnil\trbrdrr\brdrnil\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2760\clshdrawnil\cellx1272\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth620\clshdrawnil\cellx1582\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2005\clshdrawnil\cellx2584\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth455\clshdrawnil\cellx2811\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3160\clshdrawnil\cellx4391\pard\plain\intbl\ql\cell {\pard\plain\intbl}\pard\plain\intbl\qc\cell {\pard\plain\intbl}\pard\plain\intbl\qr\cell {\pard\plain\intbl}\pard\plain\intbl\ql\cf0\fs23\f2 
)\cell {\pard\plain\intbl}\pard\plain\intbl\ql\cf0\fs23\f2  SHELLEY BURCHF1ELD \cell {\pard\plain\intbl}{\trowd\irow2\irowband2\lastrow\trgaph108\trrh116\trleft-108\trbrdrt\brdrnil\trbrdrb\brdrnil\trbrdrl\brdrnil\trbrdrr\brdrnil\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2760\clshdrawnil\cellx1272\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth620\clshdrawnil\cellx1582\clvertalt\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth2005\clshdrawnil\cellx2584\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth455\clshdrawnil\cellx2811\clvertalc\clbrdrt\brdrnil\clbrdrb\brdrnil\clbrdrl\brdrnil\clbrdrr\brdrnil\cltxlrtb\clftsWidth3\clwWidth3160\clshdrawnil\cellx4391\row}
}}}\pard\plain\par\pard\s24\sa910\qc\fs20 Before me: \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s23\sa47\ri200\fs13\f3 \\OOS1Q7843 \ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s24\s4\sa377\qc\b\fs23\f4 MEGAN ROSS \b0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s24\sa233\qc\i\fs26\f1 ^S?!^^\u8482 \'99-\u8482 \'99\u8482 \'99\u8482 \'99**
\i0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s24\qc\fs26\f2 within the meaning\b\fs26\f0  of the \b0\ulnone\strike0\par\pard\s24\qc\fs20\f3 *-gg\'AB Profession\b\fs20\f4  Act 2004 \b0\ulnone\strike0 }