Community Engagement
Working Together with Communities
Community-Led Justice Reports
The Survival Day 2025 Community Report and the Justice; Bigger than Just US Forum Report both capture Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in Townsville, guided by principles of cultural authority and data sovereignty.
Survival Day Report – Based on surveys with 78 community members on 26 January 2025, it highlights what justice means to mob: fair treatment, truth-telling, stopping racism, and Aboriginal-led decision-making. It emphasises youth safety, mental health, women’s concerns, and the need for government to listen. Data was analysed thematically and visually (sentiment, age/gender priorities, short vs. long-term solutions), with a strong declaration of Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
Forum Report – Summarises the Justice; Bigger than Just US community forum (March 2025) with around 80 participants, including Elders, youth, service providers, and visiting Justice Reinvestment sites. Insights were gathered through yarning, storytelling, workshops, and real-time polling. The forum focused on justice reinvestment, cultural healing, systemic barriers, and grassroots solutions. It also set clear next steps, including more forums, youth and women’s involvement, and stronger community–government partnerships.
Community Voices Leading Justice
Together, these reports provide a strong, grounded evidence base shaped directly by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices. They show that real justice is not defined by punishment alone, but by healing, cultural strength, and the empowerment of our people. Both the Survival Day survey and the Justice; Bigger than Just US forum affirm that self-determination, truth-telling, and community-led solutions are at the heart of meaningful change. Justice, in this sense, is about restoring balance, strengthening families, and creating safer pathways for future generations—led by our communities, for our communities.
Community Engagement in Action
Community events create valuable opportunities for connection, truth-telling, and cultural exchange. They bring people together in safe and inclusive spaces where voices can be heard, stories shared, and priorities identified. For Justice Our Way, engaging in these spaces ensures our work remains guided by community, grounded in culture, and focused on self-determination.
Read The Full Reports
For a deeper understanding of community perspectives, you can read both reports in full. The Survival Day 2025 Community Report captures the voices of 78 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, while the Justice; Bigger than Just US Forum Report reflects the outcomes of a community-led forum with Elders, youth, and people with lived experience.
Together, these reports highlight the power of truth-telling, cultural healing, and justice reinvestment, affirming that lasting change must be led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
