Synapses believes Black Lives Matter

We are committed to the work we do together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

People with brain injury tell us they experience exclusion, isolation and discrimination. We see it every single day in our work at Synapse. They tell us they feel invisible, unheard and overwhelmed.

When it comes to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters, we know this is amplified.

Their rate of brain injury and disability is almost twice as high. They are often amongst the most disadvantaged members of the Australian community. They face multiple barriers to a fair go.

Support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is in the DNA of Synapse. We are invited into relationships with many communities. We hear them, we see them, we know them and learn from them; we are them.

The Black Lives Matter movement is important because the over-representation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in the criminal justice system is a significant human rights issue in Australia. Many have disabilities and cognitive impairments which are often undiagnosed. This makes navigating the criminal justice system even more difficult and results in very poor outcomes – not just for these individuals, but for our communities at large.

Much of our systemic advocacy work is undertaken with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to bring about change within multiple systems and at different levels. To level this playing field.

We do this because we know first-hand the impacts on the lives of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have suffered greatly. We know and see the impacts of intergenerational trauma. We know the difference that can be made when we collectively become part of the solution.

We do this because we believe that you should not be disadvantaged because of the culture or the race you are born into.

We do this because we stand firm in our belief that things can be better, that we can do better.

That’s why we support Black Lives Matter and we will continue to advocate for all Australians with a brain injury, including for a fair system for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters.