The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) has described problems of sexual abuse and domestic violence in Aboriginal communities as "serious and frightful".

ATSIC says the interim findings of the Gordon inquiry, set up to investigate how government agencies deal with such cases, clearly show the problem is reaching epidemic proportions.

Commission spokeswoman Colleen Hayward says more Aboriginal people should be appointed to senior positions in government agencies if the problems are to be resolved.

"We certainly need government agencies to be working in better and clearer
ways that are more culturally appropriate and that will be part of the support provided to the communities so that communities too can take charge of this very serious issue," Ms Hayward said.