The 'why' to our initiatives

Youth Justice

Woka Walanga champions a youth justice approach centered on rehabilitation over punishment. Instead of locking up young people, especially Indigenous youth, Woka Walanga supports culturally informed justice programs that address underlying issues. This means engaging Elders and community in diversion programs, mentorship, and on-country healing to reconnect youth with culture and responsibility. By emphasizing support and accountability rather than jail time, Woka Walanga aims to break cycles of re-offending and help young people make positive life changes within their communities.

Why It Matters

• Overrepresentation & Outcomes: Indigenous youth face vastly disproportionate incarceration rates. A national report found Aboriginal children 20 times more likely to be incarcerated than non-Indigenous youth (Changes needed to keep First Nations children out of incarceration - UQ News - The University of Queensland, Australia). In NSW, for example, Aboriginal young people make up about 40% of youth in detention despite only 5.3% of the youth population (Peer-reviewed report finds positive outcomes from NSW Youth Koori Court). Yet there is no evidence that detaining children has any long-term rehabilitative effect – it is costly, traumatic, and often fails to reduce re-offending. Instead, many detained youths return to custody, highlighting the need for a different approach.

• Rehabilitation Works: Evidence strongly supports culturally-based rehabilitation. A University of Queensland study found that diversion programs which build connection to land, culture, family and community had the best outcomes, leading to declines in offending behavior (Changes needed to keep First Nations children out of incarceration - UQ News - The University of Queensland, Australia). When Indigenous leaders, Elders, and services collaborate to address a young person’s social and emotional needs, youths are far less likely to reoffend. These programs treat causes (like trauma, disengagement from school, or mental health issues) rather than simply punishing symptoms.

• Community-Led Success: Community-driven justice initiatives are proving effective. In Bourke (north-west NSW), the Maranguka Justice Reinvestment project – led by the local Aboriginal community – achieved remarkable results. Within a year, Bourke saw a 38% drop in charges for top youth offenses and a 42% reduction in days young people spent in custody, alongside improved school retention. This holistic, place-based strategy, guided by Indigenous leadership, not only made the community safer but also saved millions in justice costs. It shows that empowering communities to rehabilitate their youth yields better outcomes than punitive measures imposed from outside.

(Changes needed to keep First Nations children out of incarceration - UQ News - The University of Queensland, Australia) A symbol of transformation: emphasizing growth and rehabilitation in youth justice over punitive approaches. (Changes needed to keep First Nations children out of incarceration - UQ News - The University of Queensland, Australia) (Changes needed to keep First Nations children out of incarceration - UQ News - The University of Queensland, Australia)

Child Safety

Woka Walanga is dedicated to keeping children safe in a way that maintains their cultural identity and belonging. When children cannot remain with their parents, Woka Walanga provides out-of-home care options – such as kinship care or foster care – that are culturally safe and supportive. The goal is to ensure every child grows up in an environment where they feel loved, secure, and connected to their heritage. Woka Walanga follows the principle that children thrive best with family, community, and culture; wherever possible, Indigenous children are placed with Aboriginal carers or relatives, and strong cultural mentoring is built into their care. This approach heals and protects children without severing the ties to who they are.

Why It Matters

• Crisis of Removals: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have been removed from their families at alarmingly high rates. Nationally, nearly 45% of all kids in out-of-home care are Indigenous, even though Indigenous children comprise only 6.9% of the population (Proportion of children in out-of-home care (0–17 years old) that are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are not overrepresented in the child protection system - Dashboard | Closing the Gap Information Repository - Productivity Commission). In practical terms, an Indigenous child is about 11–12 times more likely to be in care than a non-Indigenous child (Improving cultural safety: Recommendations for child protection practitioners | Australian Institute of Family Studies). First Nations leaders warn that this is creating a “new Stolen Generation,” with predictions that the number of Indigenous children in care could triple in the next two decades if nothing changes (Turning the tide on Indigenous children in out of home care | Australian Human Rights Commission) (Turning the tide on Indigenous children in out of home care | Australian Human Rights Commission).

• Impact of Disconnection: Removing children from family and community has devastating effects on their wellbeing. When a First Nations child is taken and placed without cultural support, they lose critical connections – to parents and kin, to community, to language and land. Research shows this leads to significant negative impacts on development, including a reduced ability to learn cultural traditions and values that are vital for their resilience (Improving cultural safety: Recommendations for child protection practitioners | Australian Institute of Family Studies). Indeed, a positive sense of cultural identity is critical to a child’s wellbeing (TeEACH | Upholding Cultural Connection for Children in Out-of-Home Care). Yet today fewer than half of Indigenous children in care are placed with Indigenous carers, meaning many are growing up cut off from their heritage (Turning the tide on Indigenous children in out of home care | Australian Human Rights Commission). These children often experience identity confusion, trauma, and poorer life outcomes as a result.

• Culturally Grounded Care Works: Ensuring children remain connected to culture yields better outcomes. It is widely recognized that the best “cultural care” is provided by Indigenous people themselves, and the most effective child welfare systems support Aboriginal families to keep children at home safely (CulturalCare_SNAICC revised X[1]). Where removal is necessary, placing kids with extended family, Indigenous foster carers, or in Aboriginal-run services helps preserve their identity and emotional health. Culturally grounded care – guided by the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle – has been linked to stronger sense of self, more stable placements, and improved healing for children. In short, when children are kept within their cultural community or maintain those bonds, they are more likely to thrive and less likely to suffer the lifelong harms that come from disconnection. Communities have long practiced such care; Woka Walanga’s approach builds on this resilience and wisdom to give children the safe, supportive homes they deserve without losing who they are.

(Keeping Our Kids Safe – resources to promote cultural safety | Indigenous) Cultural safety in care: new resources and approaches emphasize keeping Indigenous children safe and connected to culture (Improving cultural safety: Recommendations for child protection practitioners | Australian Institute of Family Studies) (Turning the tide on Indigenous children in out of home care | Australian Human Rights Commission).

Family Support

To truly protect children, Woka Walanga knows we must also support their families. The organisation works to strengthen families well before crises occur, providing culturally safe services that help parents and caregivers create stable, loving homes. This includes early intervention programs, parenting support, counseling, housing assistance, and linking families with Elders and community resources. By taking a holistic view of family preservation – addressing health, socioeconomic pressures, trauma healing, and parenting skills in a culturally respectful way – Woka Walanga helps families stay together. The focus is on empowering parents with the tools and support they need so that removal of children is a last resort, not a foregone conclusion.

Why It Matters

• Preventing Separation: Too often, Indigenous families are broken up because help did not arrive early enough. The rate of Aboriginal children entering child protection remains far higher than for others, reflecting systemic issues like poverty and intergenerational trauma. Yet studies show that with the right support at the right time, many of these removals can be prevented. Unfortunately, for years over 80% of child welfare funding has been spent on crisis intervention (child removals and care) instead of prevention, meaning very little investment in helping families before harm occurs (The Issue | Family Matters Report | SNAICC). This imbalance leaves parents without support until problems escalate. By shifting focus to early help – as Woka Walanga does – we can keep children safe within their families.

• Better Outcomes by Keeping Families Together: Children who remain safely at home have far better life outcomes than those taken into care. Family separation often compounds trauma: children in out-of-home care are statistically more likely to later experience depression, struggle with education, be involved in violence or crime, and even face imprisonment in adulthood (The Issue | Family Matters Report | SNAICC). In contrast, when families receive help to address challenges like substance abuse, mental health, or financial stress, children are spared these traumatic disruptions. Evidence shows early intervention works – even modest support can stabilize a household and prevent a cascade of crises. For example, parenting programs and family support services designed and led by Aboriginal communities have improved parenting capacity and reduced abuse/neglect risk factors (leading to fewer child removals) (Turning the tide on Indigenous children in out of home care | Australian Human Rights Commission) (Turning the tide on Indigenous children in out of home care | Australian Human Rights Commission). Every success story of a family kept intact means a child grows up with their identity, community and sense of security preserved.

• Culturally Safe Support: Crucially, support must be delivered in a culturally safe and respectful way. Indigenous families often distrust mainstream child welfare due to past discrimination and fear of child removal (Improving cultural safety: Recommendations for child protection practitioners | Australian Institute of Family Studies). Woka Walanga’s approach, grounded in cultural knowledge and trusting relationships, encourages families to seek help without shame. Community-led programs — like family healing circles, Indigenous family coaching, and Elder-guided family counseling — create an environment where parents feel understood and empowered. This leads to higher engagement and better results. In states like Victoria and Queensland, giving Aboriginal agencies authority in child protection and funding community-run family support has already shown promise, with more families accessing help and a stronger voice for communities in keeping children safe (Turning the tide on Indigenous children in out of home care | Australian Human Rights Commission). Strengthening families through culturally appropriate support not only prevents child removals; it also heals historical wounds and builds up the next generation to be safer and stronger.

Community Engagement

Woka Walanga believes that strong communities are the foundation for individual and family well-being. The organisation invests in community engagement initiatives that bring people together, foster cultural pride, and create networks of mutual support. This can take many forms – cultural mentorship programs where Elders teach youth traditional knowledge, community events and gatherings that reinforce belonging, peer-led groups for healing and recovery, and youth leadership projects that empower young people. By nurturing these community connections, Woka Walanga helps rebuild the village around each child and family. The message is that no one is alone: the community collectively supports every member’s welfare, guided by the deep Aboriginal traditions of kinship and mutual care.

Why It Matters

• Social Cohesion = Wellbeing: A connected community is not just a nice-to-have – it directly improves people’s lives. Research confirms that a strong sense of belonging and being part of a supportive community is an important determinant of wellbeing (Sense of belonging | Australian Bureau of Statistics). When people feel accepted, valued, and able to be themselves culturally, they experience better mental health and confidence. For Indigenous Australians, these “unique bonds” of community and culture are fundamental to improved life outcomes (Sense of belonging | Australian Bureau of Statistics). On the other hand, social isolation or exclusion can worsen problems like addiction, violence, and hopelessness. Thus, building social cohesion through cultural events, shared activities, and collective responsibility can literally save lives and improve a community’s health.

• Cultural Resilience: Indigenous knowledge systems have long fostered resilience through community and culture. Programs that tap into this – for instance, on-country camps, traditional arts and language revival, or intergenerational mentoring – show remarkable benefits. Studies have found that cultural engagement boosts self-esteem and resilience in Indigenous youth, and even correlates with reduced substance abuse and suicide risk ((PDF) Yiriman Youth Justice Diversion Program [Justice Reinvestment Policy Analysis]) ( Participation in a culturally grounded program strengthens cultural identity, self-esteem, and resilience in urban Indigenous adolescents - PMC ). One notable example is the Yiriman Project in Western Australia, where Elders take at-risk Kimberley youth on country to live and learn their culture. Such community-led initiatives report positive outcomes in crime prevention and youth wellbeing, linking cultural participation to reduced offending and enhanced community strength ((PDF) Yiriman Youth Justice Diversion Program [Justice Reinvestment Policy Analysis]). Simply put, when young people are grounded in who they are and supported by proud communities, they make healthier life choices.

• Empowerment and Trust: Community-driven solutions are often the most effective because they are built on trust and local knowledge. Woka Walanga’s community engagement efforts empower local people to design and lead programs – it might be a group of parents creating a safe youth space, or former offenders running a peer support circle for others. This empowerment has a ripple effect: it restores community pride and shows that solutions can come from within. Strong communities also act as a safety net; neighbors notice early if a family is struggling and can offer help before crisis point. Evidence from justice reinvestment trials and community health projects across Australia consistently shows that when communities take ownership of problems and solutions, outcomes improve. People are more likely to participate in and respect programs that reflect their values. In turn, this local leadership builds social capital – skills, relationships, and confidence – that drive ongoing positive change beyond any one project. By uniting people in common purpose, Woka Walanga’s community engagement initiatives reinforce the age-old principle: strong communities keep their children and families strong.

(Changes needed to keep First Nations children out of incarceration - UQ News - The University of Queensland, Australia) Building cultural connection: Community activities (like fishing at sunrise) bring generations together, strengthening social bonds and wellbeing (Sense of belonging | Australian Bureau of Statistics) ((PDF) Yiriman Youth Justice Diversion Program [Justice Reinvestment Policy Analysis]).