SHQ: how we are making SHQ a more culturally safe space

Some activities and changes SHQ has implemented to become a more culturally safe and appropriate workplace include:  

• receiving ongoing input from an external Aboriginal Advisory Committee  
• involving Aboriginal educators in planning, delivery and evaluation of programs  
• ensuring Aboriginal educators take a leadership role in promoting sexual health    
• displaying culturally appropriate paintings in the waiting room of the clinic  
• displaying a framed National Apology to the Stolen Generation  
• displaying the National Apology translated into Chinese for the Magenta clinic so that Chinese sex workers are able to read and understand the National Apology and its significance  
• implementing daily STI drop-in clinics  
• implementing free appointments for people 18 years and under  
• employing an Aboriginal educator to provide outreach services to street-based sex workers  
• targeting marginalised groups (Aboriginal young people are commonly in the classes held by youth educators and promote SHQ services)  
• encouraging visits by school groups, who either pretend or actually get tested for STIs.

The SHQ is upskilling our workforce to become more culturally aware and appropriate by:

• forming a Reconciliation Working Group to discuss issues as well as plan all-staff events for significant times such as Reconciliation Week, National Sorry Day and NAIDOC Week 
• receiving ongoing input from an external Aboriginal Advisory Committee  
• conducting cultural safety training for the SHQ workforce  
• enhancing cultural awareness and understanding through social relationships and collaboration between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff members    
• developing a Reconciliation Action Plan that has been ratified by Reconciliation Australia.