There have been no Aboriginal deaths in police cell custody in NSW and ACT since we began the Custody Notification Service (CNS) - a 24/7 legal advice and RU OK hotline.

IT'S NOT JUST A PHONE LINE, IT'S A LIFELINE.

Every time our lawyers speak to an Aboriginal person being detained by police, they check upon the welfare of the person by asking RU OK?

Often people aren't OK. Threats of self- harm or suicide are common. Our lawyers are skilled at hearing ideation or real threats of self-harm or suicide. The lawyer talks carefully with the person, notifies the Police and the vulnerable person in custody is made safe.

The CNS is an extremely successful program assisting vulnerable people with access to legal advice and a welfare check.

The phone line costs nearly the same to operate as holding two juveniles in detention for one year - $526,000 per annum.

Aboriginal incarceration rates are already too high. They will increase if the CNS does not exist.

CAN YOU HELP?

Every year our community organisation helps over 30,000 vulnerable Aboriginal men, women and children not helped by mainstream legal services.

We do this on a shoestring budget relying on hardworking staff and volunteers committed to getting justice for Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal people born into poverty and disadvantage are swept into our legal system as babies and children through child removal policies, and as young people and adults through tough policing and harsh sentencing practices at rates not seen before.

Without us, Aboriginal people would fill our jails at even faster rates, hastening the era of mass imprisonment of Australia's most vulnerable people.