Jireh House commits to being a welcoming and safe place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children, where identity is respected, valued and nurtured.

We recognise that lutriwita / Tasmania carries a profound and painful history of colonisation, frontier violence, dispossession and attempted cultural erasure. We acknowledge the truth of forced removal of children, family separation and systemic discrimination, and the ongoing intergenerational trauma that continues to affect Aboriginal women, children and families today. We understand that family violence and homelessness are interconnected with these historical and structural injustices.

We acknowledge the strength, resilience and survival of Palawa / Tasmanian Aboriginal people and recognise that despite the harms of colonisation, connection to identity and culture continues today.

We uphold the principle of self-determination and respect the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children to make decisions about their own lives and futures. We stand alongside First Nations women and children in their healing journeys and remain committed to supporting safety, dignity, cultural connection and hope for future generations.

Jireh House recognises the deep harm inflicted upon Tasmanian Aboriginal people by religious organisations. We acknowledge their role in facilitating the state’s forcible removal of children, their failure to safeguard the vulnerable, and the systemic concealment of institutional abuse. We also confront the legacy of dehumanising beliefs promoted by these institutions, which were used to justify colonial violence and the marginalisation of the Palawa people.

 We commit to continuing to learn from the truth of the past, to listen with humility, to reflect on our practice, and to remain open to feedback. We will examine our own practices and take active steps to reduce harm and uphold dignity while continuing to work toward a safer and more hopeful future for the women and children we support.