Multiple discriminations intersecting at a structural, institutional and interpersonal level Forum participants emphasised that the unique experiences of each community must have their own processes of engagement so that they are not further marginalised and silenced either by being incorporated into a broad intersectional group, or unrecognised and not engaged with or heard at all. First Nations women have written extensively about the importance of ensuring women, children and gender diverse peoples, with different positions and perspectives, are listened to and central to designing policies and legislation which address violence in their lives. This includes, but is not limited to, women and children living in urban areas and those in remote areas, those with disabilities, those with experiences of incarceration and juvenile detention, children in the child protection system, LGBTIQA+SB people and many others. There is much literature describing how structures and hierarchies of power overlap, causing intersectional discrimination and oppressing or marginalising people who are minorities and have multiple intersecting identity markers. The result is the ongoing exclusion of First Nations women and children in all their diversity from the policies, programs and structures that impact their lives, which has continued since colonisation. This can cause situations and environments that heighten the vulnerability of women and children to violence and can entrench the barriers that makes it difficult, if not impossible, to leave violent situations. Figure 4 shows the ways in which multiple discriminations at a structural, institutional and interpersonal level intersect—beginning and colonisation and continuing today—undermining the many aspects of First Nations women and children’s identities: Wiyi Yani U Thangani • First Nations Women’s Safety Policy Forum • Outcomes Report | 28