Description

First Nations women and children are murdered or go missing in Australia every year. This Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee inquiry investigates missing and murdered First Nations women and children. The committee held 10 public hearings across six jurisdictions, as well as seven private hearings with First Nations families. It presents statistics on the number of missing and murdered First Nations women and children. There are multiple factors driving violence against First Nations women, including the ongoing impacts of colonisation and gender issues. It examines police investigations into murdered and missing First Nations women and children compared to non-Indigenous women and children. It examines police policies and practices relating to missing persons reports and homicides. Further, it looks at police responses to domestic violence. It discusses the role of media and media coverage of missing and murdered First Nations women and children, especially media’s effect on police investigations. It discusses violence prevention initiatives, including men’s behavior change programs. It discusses the international human rights framework, Commonwealth-led frameworks and previous inquiries. Missing and murdered First Nations women and children should be recognised and remembered. It makes ten recommendations directed to federal, state and territory governments, as well as the Australian Press Council.