Multiple forms of discrimination and exclusion are behind the “alarmingly high prevalence” of violence experienced by indigenous women in Australia, according to a UN human rights expert.

Dubravka Šimonović said many of these women face sexism and racism, but they are also subjected to class-based discrimination due to their low socioeconomic status.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences, recently completed her first visit to Australia where she also met with women with disabilities and women in prison.

She spoke to Julia Dean about some of her preliminary findings.

Ms Šimonović began by providing an assessment of the situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who she said are marginalized and not fully included in policies to eliminate violence against women and girls.

Duration: 5’24"