Literature by topic
Australian materials are indexed in the Australian Family and Society Abstracts Database and are available for loan from the ACSSA collection at the Australian Institute of Family Studies library. Online publications in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Indigenous Communities and Diverse Cultures
Australian publications
A national disgrace: violence against women
and children in Indigenous communities.
Lawrence,
Carmen.
Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker
Journal v.30 no.5 Sept - Oct 2006: 29, 32-33
One of the
first acts of the current Government was to cut the 30 million dollars
allocated for the Indigenous family violence prevention programs; the
money was lost as a result of the massive cuts to Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) funding in 1996-1997. The author
argues that after a decade in office, with numerous roundtables and COAG
meetings and audits and reports, the government still seems to have no
idea about what action should be taken to prevent and deal with the
violence and abuse. (Journal abstract, edited)
A report of the Derby/West Kimberley Project:
Working With Adolescents To Prevent Domestic Violence.
Poelina, Anne; Perdrisat, Ian.
Canberra,
ACT: Attorney-General's Department, 2004, 39p, Online
This
report is a snapshot of a project managed by the Shire of Derby/West
Kimberley in partnership with the National Crime Prevention Program, to
reduce the incidence of domestic violence within the community. The aims
of the Working With Adolescents to Prevent Domestic Violence - Indigenous
Rural Model were to increase awareness and understanding of domestic
violence in the Derby community; develop and implement culturally
appropriate strategies for the intervention and/or reduction of domestic
violence in Derby through active participation of adolescents, families
and communities; and provide a practical and sustainable model through
working in partnership with relevant agencies/service providers and key
Aboriginal organisations. The report describes program initiatives
established within the community and identifies some key elements
essential for establishing and maintaining such programs.
A
review of literature relating to family and domestic
violence in culturally and linguistically diverse
communities in Australia. (PDF 752 KB)
Bonar, Maria; Roberts,
Debra.
Perth, WA: Family and
Domestic Violence Unit, Department for Community Development,
2006, 66p, Online
Recent and current research on issues and
initiatives have including prevention, service provision, and program
evaluation have relating to family and domestic violence in culturally
and linguistically diverse communities throughout Australia is analysed.
The report covers Australian statistics regarding family and domestic
violence in culturally and linguistically diverse communities; good
practice guidelines and models for working with women, families, children
and men; culturally appropriate responses to family and domestic violence
nationally and in Western Australia, Queensland, Australian Capital
Territory, Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania;
specific culturally appropriate men's programs; and barriers to accessing
services for women and men.
Aboriginal women, girls and sexual assault.
McGlade, Hannah
Aware: Australian Centre for the Study
of Sexual Assault Newsletter no.12 Sept 2006: 6-13
and Online
Hannah McGlade writes about
how Aboriginal women and girls are being discriminated
against by the criminal justice system on the basis
of their Aboriginality and gender, notwithstanding
the existence of formal legislation prohibiting
such discrimination. In examining the legal system's
unequal treatment of Aboriginal women and girls,
her paper details and considers two recent and
high profile decisions of the Northern Territory
Supreme Court concerning sexual assault of Aboriginal
girls.
Adult sexual violence in Indigenous and culturally and linguistically
diverse communities in Australia.
Taylor, Natalie;
Putt, Judy.
Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute
of Criminology, 2007, 6p (Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice
no.345), and Online
Knowledge about sexual violence
against women from Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds is scant. While many of the reasons for not reporting sexual
violence to police are likely to be similar to those for mainstream
women, women from diverse backgrounds can face additional cultural and
related factors affecting their ability and/or willingness to report
violence. This paper reports on findings from a multi dimensional study
investigating these issues. Participants indicated the need for
appropriate interpreters when reporting sexual violence, a preference for
female police officers to handle the case, protection of complainants,
and more effective dissemination of information on how the criminal
justice system processes sexual assault cases. There is a clear need to
address fundamental attitudes and beliefs within particular communities
about sexual violence and this will require strong community leadership
and the support of local community members. (Author abstract,
edited)
An overview of Australian Aboriginal suicide: part
one.
Elliott-Farrelly, Terri
Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal v.29 no.1 Jan - Feb
2005: 11-15, 27-28
Information on Indigenous suicide
rates, methods, risk factors and causes are presented in this article.
The article looks at difficulties with data collection, the meaning of
Aboriginal suicide, mental illness, the effects of racism and
discrimination, and the following causative factors: low sense of purpose
in life; lack of role models and mentors; inadequate parenting; sexual
assaults; alcohol and drug use; animosity and jealousy within a
community; grief cycles; and illiteracy.
Assessment of the risk of reoffending by Indigenous
male violent and sexual offenders.
Allan, Alfred; Dawson,
Deborah.
Canberra, ACT: Australian
Institute of Criminology, 2004, 6p, tables (Trends
and issues in crime and criminal justice, no.280),
and Online
A risk assessment tool that
has been developed specifically for Indigenous sexual
and violent offenders is reported on in this paper.
The paper discusses problems associated with overrepresentation
of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system
and the lack of Australian risk assessment instruments.
It considers the results of the study, which suggest
that it will be necessary to develop separate instruments
for violent and sexual offenders, and also for subgroups
of these two groups.
Attitudes to domestic and family violence: insights from Victoria's
culturally and linguistically diverse. (PDF 438 KB)
Bradford,
Michelle.
Queensland Centre for Domestic and
Family Violence Research CDFVR Newsletter v.5 no.4 Jun 2007: 6-10, and
Online
The Victorian Violence Against Women
Community Attitudes Project included a selected culturally and
linguistically diverse (SCALD) sample. This article summarises the
survey's key findings from the SCALD participants' beliefs and attitudes
in relation to: definition of violence against women; prevalence and
seriousness of violence against women; understanding of who perpetrates
and who is affected by violence; explanations that diminish men's
responsibility for violence. The SCALD sample's responses are compared
with those of the main sample.
Background
paper on Aboriginal women's interests in customary
law recognition. (PDF 224 KB)
Wohlan,
Catherine.
Perth, WA: Law Reform
Commission of Western Australia, 2005, 47p, (Aboriginal
customary laws reference - background paper no.13),
Online
The adequate
protection of Aboriginal women and children has been raised as a concern
in the recognition of customary law. This paper commences with a case
study which illustrates some of the problems faced when two systems of
law compete with each other for justice. It reports on interviews
focused on the west Kimberley with some information from the east
Kimberley provided at major meetings, or in centres around Broome. Cases
of violence against Aboriginal women and children are also reviewed to
see whether, and how, Aboriginal law mechanisms operate in these
situations. Discussion in the paper includes family violence and
Aboriginal law; Aboriginal women and the courts; status of women in
Aboriginal society; the role of the family in support and discipline; and
Aboriginal women's initiatives. The arguments of the paper are that:
family violence and Aboriginal law are consistently presented as
interrelated phenomena, whereas they should be understood as separate
issues; the way Aboriginal law is being presented and argued in the courts in relation to women is not always accurate; and the status of
women in Aboriginal society, both in historical times and today, is often
misrepresented or otherwise neglected entirely.
Before
it's too late: domestic violence in the Polish
community: an analytical approach to defining the nature
and prevalence of domestic violence in the Polish
community. (PDF 2.1 MB)
Szczepanska, Elizabeth.
Footscray, Vic:
Australian-Polish Community Services, 2004, 57p, tables,
figures
The broad aim of this study was to investigate the
issue of domestic violence in the Polish community and the experiences
and barriers Polish women faced in seeking assistance for domestic
violence. The report provides information on definitions, theories and
incidences of domestic violence, and examines domestic violence in
culturally and linguistically diverse groups, in particular women in the
Polish community in Victoria. Key findings are given for Polish women
who both did and did not access domestic violence services.
Before
it's too late: evaluation report. (PDF 283 KB)
Szczepanska, Elizabeth.
Melbourne, Vic: Australian-Polish Community
Services Inc., 2005, 20p, and Online
This report evaluates the Polish Domestic Violence
Support Group project conducted between June and December
2004 called "Before It's Too Late", from the perspective
of participants and the program facilitator. It was
found that the program and the implemented therapeutic
interventions made a significant and positive impact
and improved the emotional well-being, sense of safety
and belonging for all participants. It also reduced
the fear of social rejection and stigma attached to
victims of domestic violence.
Can prostitution be safe?: Applying occupational health and
safety codes to Australia's legalised brothel prostitution.
Sullivan, Mary Lucille.
In: Not for
sale: feminists resisting prostitution and pornography. Melbourne, Vic:
Spinifex, 1st ed., 2004, 445p
The Occupational Health and
Safety(OHS) codes are examined in this essay in relation to prostitution
in legal brothels in Australia. The author argues that the OHS codes and
practises are more concerned and oriented towards the protection of the
community and the consumers of prostitutes from infectious disease
transmission rather than the well being of sex workers. The orientation
towards public health of Victorian legislators and state health
authorities reveals the power relationships in society that surrounds
prostitution.
Cape
York Indigenous issues (PDF 264 KB).
Australian National Council on
Drugs.
Canberra, ACT: Australian
National Council on Drugs, 2002, 28p, tables, Online
Members of
the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD) visited the Cape York
region in 2001. This paper documents the collective experience of ANCD
members in relation to alcohol, drug and Indigenous issues. It presents
some information on the nature and dimensions of Indigenous Australians'
use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, heroin and petrol sniffing. It
outlines drug and alcohol services issues and broader social causes and
effects before discussing the epidemic of alcohol addiction in Cape York.
It looks at the following issues: the right to drink; social practices,
the grog economy, the environment, the economy, enterprises and
employment, health, education, alcohol and violence, efforts to address
alcohol problems in Cape York, solutions from within, and
recommendations.
Child abuse and neglect in Indigenous Australian communities.
Stanley, Janet; Tomison, Adam M;
Pocock, Julian
Melbourne, Vic: National Child
Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family
Studies, 2003, 31p (Child abuse prevention issues no.19
Spring 2003), and Online
Child abuse
and neglect associated with Indigenous communities cannot be understood,
nor addressed, unless it is viewed from a broad perspective which
includes both historical and present day issues. Measures centred on
community based responses which empower Indigenous Australians are
needed, in order to protect Indigenous children from the serious levels
of abuse which they are presently experiencing. (Author abstract)
Community
attitudes to violence against women survey
2006: a full technical report. (PDF 839 KB)
Taylor,
Natalie; Mouzos, Jenny.
Canberra,
ACT: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2006,
146p, tables, figures
This
Victorian survey investigated contemporary community
attitudes toward violence against women and indicators
of change in community attitudes since 1995. A
randomly selected sample of 2000 members of the
general community and 800 community members with
Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian and Greek backgrounds
were interviewed by telephone, and focus groups
were conducted with members of the general community
and with Indigenous members of the community.
The report summarises research conducted since
1995 relating to attitudes toward violence against
women and presents the following findings: what
the term 'violence against women' means to the
community; beliefs about consequences of violent
behaviours for victims; to what degree the community
adheres to myths and truths about violence against
women; attitudes about whether there any circumstances
in which physical force may be justified; factors
impacting on action by victims and intervention
by others; perceived changes over time; and awareness
and educational initiatives.
Community-based
strategies for combating Indigenous violence.
Memmott,
P
University of New South Wales Law Journal
Forum v.8 no.1 Jul 2002: 11-15
Discussing various community violence
programs for the resolution and prevention of Indigenous
family violence, the author argues that these programs
should also aim to treat the stress and harm that
the violence causes. The author further suggests
that local government, in partnership with Indigenous
communities, should be supportive of these community
driven programs. A range of community violence program
types are discussed, along with different ways in
which they can be incorporated into the design of
an overarching 'community action plan'.
Culturalising the abject: Islam, law and moral panic in the
West.
Humphrey, Michael.
Australian Journal of Social Issues v.42 no.1 Autumn 2007:
9-25
This paper explores the construction of Islam as
abject and the symbolic positioning of Muslims as being outside secular
modernity in Australia through an analysis of the way the criminal legal
process and perceptions of criminality are culturalised. The empirical
focus is gang rape and the trials of Muslim youth on gang rape charges in
Sydney between 2000-2003 which quickly became culturally inflected as
'Muslim' and 'Lebanese' by media reporting of the criminal trials and
moral panic about them as source of social menace. Three dimensions of
culturalisation of crime and the criminalisation of culture are
identified: the cultural inflection of new laws against gang rape by
their association with particular events and trials; the introduction of
'cultural defence' by the accused as a mitigating factor; and media
reporting and commentary on criminal cases which emphasise cultural
explanations for individual criminal behaviour. (Journal abstract,
edited)
Customary law: sex with under-age 'promised
wives'.
Brown, Ken.
Alternative Law Journal v.32 no.1 Mar 2007:
11-15
Is too much weight attached to claims made by defendants
seeking to justify their actions by reference to cultural factors
and traditional beliefs? This article argues that the
international human rights conventions implemented
to protect women and children should outweigh any justification
that relies on Aboriginal customary law. It also examines
whether a distorted version of customary law is put
forward by men to justify their misbehaviour towards
women and girls, particularly in relation to sexual
offences.
Delivering
a service to Aboriginal people.
Terare, M
In: Practice
and prevention:contemporary issues in adult sexual
assault conference. Sydney, NSW: NSW
Attorney-General's Department, Crime Prevention Division,
2003, Online only
The effects of
colonisation are still being felt
in Aboriginal communities, and the author considers
what effects this has on Aboriginal victims of
trauma. She discusses a project she is working
on in NSW that explores community
solutions to challenge the impact of trauma resulting
from family violence, sexual assault and child
abuse, primarily through developing a curriculum
that reflects communities' needs in relation
to the abuse.
Dimensions of disability, rurality and lesbianism in
women's experience of intimate violence. (PDF 322 KB)
Gray, Kay; Bradford,
Michelle.
Queensland Centre
for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
Research Newsletter v.4 no.1 Sept 2005: 6-9, and Online
In this article the author expands
on the notion of 'intersectionality' discussed in a
previous article "The
intersections of oppression in women's experiences
of intimate violence"
of this series. The focus of this essay is the intersection
of constructs of disability, rurality and lesbianism
in shaping and compounding women's experiences of domestic
and family violence.
Don't tell anyone our secret! Child sexual
assault in Indigenous communities.
Cashman,
Josephine.
Indigenous Law Bulletin
v.6 no.12 Jul 2005: 19-22
The prevalence
of child sexual assault in Australian Indigenous communities
is explored in this article, and its effects on victims
examined. The article also discusses the low reporting
rates for child sexual assault in Indigenous communities,
Indigenous policy and child sexual assault, and government
responses.
Elder
abuse concerns in Indigenous communities. (PDF 252 KB)
Harris, Nick
Queensland
Centre for the Prevention of Domestic and Family
Violence Newsletter v.3 no.3 Jan 2005: 13-14 and
Online
Older
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are
vulnerable to abuse due to a range of socio-economic
problems. The Elder Abuse Prevention Unit was set
up to address the problem. The authors provide
a human rights model and call for further research.
Encouraging family harmony in African communities
in the western region.
Gregory,
Robyn; Adam, Munira.
DVIRC
Quarterly no.2 Winter 2006: 16-18
The
Family Harmony Project, undertaken by Women's Health
West, explored family violence within African communities
in Melbourne. Somali and Muslim Eritrean women
participated in focus groups and interviews were
held with community workers. This article describes
the project's findings and recommendations for action.
(Journal abstract, edited)
Ending
family violence and abuse in Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander communities: key issues: an
overview paper of research and findings by the
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
2001 - 2006.
Calma,
Tom.
Sydney, NSW: Human Rights and Equal
Opportunity Commission, 2006, 126p, Online
Key findings
from Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
research and consultations relating to family violence
and abuse in Indigenous communities, conducted
between 2001 -2006, are presented. The report explores
the following issues: the law, violence and human
rights; the need for human rights education among
Indigenous communities; the significance of violence
as a barrier to women achieving leadership positions
and equality; violence and abuse as causative factors
in Indigenous women entering prison; international
models for programs aimed at addressing inter generational
trauma and grief through healing; the impact of
violence on Indigenous youth in developing cognitive
disabilities, in education and in involvement with
the criminal justice system; the high incidence
of mental illness and youth suicide among Indigenous
peoples; and violence as a reflection and cause
of poor health among Indigenous peoples.
Ending
Family Violence Program, Woorabinda. (PDF 8 KB)
Hennessy, Annette; Willie, Carol.
In:
Men, women and community: partners: 2006 Indigenous
Family Violence Prevention Forum. Mackay, Qld: Queensland
Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, 2006,
10p, tables, figures, Online
The
Woorabinda Ending Family Violence Program in Queensland
was developed for Indigenous offenders in the area
of domestic and family violence related offending.
The program uses culturally appropriate offender intervention
to divert domestic and family violence offenders from
violent offending, and aims to allow offenders to stay
in the community while rehabilitating themselves. This
paper explains the program methodology and outcomes,
and includes two case studies.
Family violence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples.
Al-Yaman, Fadwa;
Van Doeland, Mieke; Wallis, Michelle.
Canberra,
ACT: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare,
2006, 144p, tables, figures, and Online
Current research and statistics on the extent of
violence, particularly family violence, among Australia's
Indigenous peoples are presented. The report covers
the prevalence of violence in Australia's Indigenous
population, causal factors of violence, violence
in non Australian Indigenous populations, intervention
and prevention strategies, national and state and
territory initiatives, information development,
defining violence and family violence, barriers
to capturing information about violence, under
reporting of family violence, health, community
and criminal justice sectors, crime and safety
surveys, health and lifestyle surveys, Indigenous
specific surveys, associated harm and outcomes
data, morbidity data, mortality data, victim support
and counselling, criminal justice data, multi service
data collections, and information gaps and data
quality issues.
Family
violence and sexual assault in Indigenous communities.
(PDF 346 KB)
Higgins,
D. J. (2007, April 19).
Invited address to the 18th
World Congress of WAS / 1st World Congress of Sexual
Health. Sydney.
Family
violence and sexual assault in Indigenous communities:
'walking the talk'.
Keel, Monique
Briefing: Australian Centre for the Study
of Sexual Assault no.4 Sept 2004: 1-31, and Online
ACSSAs fourth Briefing
Paper looks at family violence and sexual assault
in Indigenous communities. It provides a brief overview
of state and federal policies on Indigenous family
violence and reviews a number of relevant documents
on sexual assault. The Briefing Paper also provides
a literature review and contains 'snapshot' interviews
with a number of Indigenous sexual assault service
providers about the developments that are happening
in their communities to address sexual assault.
Family
violence information kit.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
(ATSIC).
Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Commission website - 1 Kit, various
pagings, Online
This
kit provides links to information and/or articles under
the following headings: ATSIC Board of Commissioners
Family Violence Policy Statement; Family Violence Action
Plan; ATSIC Commitment: Ending Violence in Indigenous
Families; ATSIC Leaders Tackle Family Violence (information
about a Social and Physical Wellbeing Committee established
in 2003, and ATSIC'S Women's Issues Committee); Working
for Families: information about the creation of 1000
extra Community Development and Employment Projects
(CDEP) program places; Strengthening Legal Protection:
Family Violence Prevention Legal Services; Involving
the Regions - Regional Council Family Violence Awareness
Program; Involving the Regions - Regional Council Family
Violence Projects; and Reports, Publications and Websites.
Family
violence IS everyone's business: frontline service
delivery to Indigenous victims of family violence
in Central Australia. (Word 52K)
Clarke, Phynea; Lethlean, Vanessa.
In:
Positive Ways: an Indigenous Say: conference papers.
Darwin, NT: Victims of Crime NT, 2006, 6p, Online
The Central
Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit in Alice Springs
provides Indigenous victims of family violence with
legal advice and casework assistance, and initial counselling,
support and referral. This paper presents an outline
of the service's clients and some client case studies,
and considers what the case studies say about family
violence in central Australia, factors that prevent
victims from engaging effectively with Australian family
violence legal protections, how the service responds
effectively to its clients' realities, and some recent
initiatives to address family violence.
Fatin
Hakmatek: the safe room project in East Timor. (PDF 770 KB)
Martens da Silva, Mira; Marcal, Luisa; Kendall,
Susan; Laing, Lesley.
Australian
Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter
no.23 Jan 2006: 11-13, and Online (whole issue PDF
770K)
Fatin Hakmatek provides support
to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and
child abuse in East Timor. This article discusses
the prevalence of, and attitudes towards, domestic
violence in East Timor. It describes the services
provided by Fatin Hakmatek, including support for
victims of violence, promotion of Fatin Hakmatek
and development of referral pathways, and community
education and training about domestic and sexual
violence. The organisation's innovations include
providing accessible information for victims of violence,
and an integrated forensic medical protocol.
Fighting the war against sexual trafficking
of women and girls.
Wolfe, Leslie R.
In:
Not for sale: feminists resisting prostitution and
pornography. Melbourne, Vic: Spinifex, 1st ed., 2004,
445p
This is the keynote speech
delivered at on November 3, 2001 at the conference
'Trafficking of women and children: challenges and
solutions' held at the University of Washington,
USA. The speaker draws attention to the scale and
severity of trafficking in women and girls and likens
the crime to terrorism. Legal and policy issues are
addressed with specific reference to recent USA policy
and political developments.
Framework for the Development of the Victorian Indigenous
family violence strategy.
Yarram,
Daphne.
Victoria, Department of Family and
Community Services, 2002. p26,
In March 2002 Cabinet
approved the Framework for the Development of the Victorian Indigenous
Family Violence Strategy. This publication outlines the framework for
the developement of the Victorian Indigenous Family Violence Strategy,
including an outline of indigenous family violence issues, guiding
principles, action groups, and the project management strategies required
for implementation.
From
shame to pride: access to sexual assault
services for Indigenous people. (PDF 760 KB)
Consultation outcomes, reports and
recommendations.
Thorpe, Lisa; Solomon, Rose;
Dimopoulos, Maria.
Melbourne, Vic: Elizabeth
Hoffman House, 2004, 68p
A number of reports have
indicated that the rate of sexual violence in many Indigenous communities
is high. The belief that both authorities and mainstream sexual assault
services will not respond appropriately has been identified as one
amongst several issues that may impede Aboriginal women from seeking
assistance. This project uses highly consultative and Indigenous specific
methodology to identify strategies to meet the needs of Indigenous
victim/survivors of sexual assault, and Indigenous and mainstream service
providers, including training and education needs for service providers.
The study focuses on the Metropolitan Melbourne area, East Gippsland and
Barwon Region in Victoria, Australia.
Girls like you.
Sheehan,
Paul.
Sydney, NSW: Pan Macmillan Australia, 2006,
388p
Six brothers from a Pakistani family living in
Sydney, known as the 'K brothers' were charged with several gang rapes in
2004. This book tracks the brothers' crimes and subsequent legal trials.
It forms an argument about a cultural clash between Muslim men and
Western women, and discusses deficiencies in the Australian legal system
regarding sexual assault trials.
Good
practice in Indigenous family violence
prevention: designing and evaluating successful
programs. (PDF 5 MB)
Memmott,
Paul; Chambers, Catherine; Go-Sam, Carroll;
Thomson, Linda.
Sydney, NSW: Australian Domestic and Family
Violence Clearinghouse, University of New
South Wales, 2006, 36p (Issues paper no.11)
Examples of good practice
in Indigenous projects and programs that
aimed to address family violence in Australia,
the United States, Canada and New Zealand
are examined. The paper identifies elements
contributing to the success of Indigenous
violence projects, including: cultural grounding
of projects, development of culturally adapted
good practice methods, community grounding of
projects, ensuring the involvement of elders,
the engagement of men into programs, self empowerment
and self esteem as capacity building by products,
examining intergenerational family history
and colonial experience as a healing method,
cultural preference for group approaches in addition
to individual counselling, capacity building
through networking and partnerships, information
collection and dissemination on Indigenous
family violence, training and skills acquisition
within projects, and flexibility and adaptability
of projects in different community settings.
Project weaknesses and deficiencies are also explored.
The paper summarises models and strategies
for sustainable family violence prevention programs.
Healing, politics and community action.
Maldonaldo, Nacho.
International
Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work no.1
2005: 19-22
This paper traces some of the histories that
have shaped the author's understandings of the
role of psychiatry and family therapy, and discusses
some of the key current issues in the field, most
notably domestic violence. He highlights time that
he spent in Mexico, Nicaragua and Cuba and the
effects of migration on families.
How do Aboriginal women fare in Australian
democracy?
Davis, Megan.
Indigenous Law Bulletin v.6 no.27 May 2007: 9-11
This article highlights the lack of research on Aboriginal women's issues
in modern Australian society. The democratic system of majority
representation disadvantages Indigenous people, and advocacy and research
of Indigenous issues rarely consider the separate concerns of women. The
article briefly discusses women's participation in governance and
political processes, and limitations in the literature of sexual
assault.
Identifying
the woman, the client and the victim.
Lay, Yvonne.
Aware: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual
Assault Newsletter no.12 Sept 2006: 15-20 and Online
Yvonne Lay examines and assesses the adequacy
of sexual and domestic violence service providers
in accommodating for the specific needs of victims
from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD)
backgrounds, particularly focusing on Chinese,
East Timorese and Vietnamese women. In recognising
the totality of the intersection of both gender
and racial oppression she highlights the specific
needs and the barriers they face in accessing services.
Improving
responses to allegations involving sexual assault. (PDF 438 KB)
Victoria.
Ombudsman.
Melbourne, Vic: Ombudsman Victoria, 2006, 53p
(Parliamentary paper no.118), and Online
The
conclusions of an enquiry into the response of government
agencies in Victoria to allegations of sexual assault
are presented in this publication. The report discusses
the reporting of incidents of sexual assault, terminology,
information sharing and privacy, systemic issues for
people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups,
protection against sexual assault, providing a safe
environment, female only residential options, relocation
of persons following a sexual assault, child protection,
inter agency liaison, Indigenous people, workforce
issues, agency employees accused of sexual assault,
vetting of employees working with people vulnerable
to sexual assault, specialist workers and multi disciplinary
teams, police investigation processes, police communication,
evidence gathering, Independent Third Persons, withdrawn
complaints, non authorisation of briefs, community
education about sexual assault, and the role of the
media. The report makes recommendations in response
to these findings.
Indigenous Family Violence Forum: Which way now?
(PDF 464 KB)
Reilly, Lyndon.
Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family
Violence Research Newsletter v.2 no.4 Jun 2004: 2-5,
and Online (whole issue)
The four objectives
of the Indigenous Family Violence Forum, held in
May 2004, were to: highlight the work being done
by Indigenous people and organisations to prevent
domestic and family violence; identify policy, research
or practice areas needing more support; bring Indigenous
Queenslanders together to share information and ideas;
provide a forum for Indigenous people to contribute
advice on areas needing further action. This article
evaluates the objectives and reports responses of
Forum participants to them.
Indigenous
healing for sexual violence. (Word 46K)
Cox,
Dorinda.
In: Positive Ways:
an Indigenous Say: conference papers. Darwin, NT: Victims
of Crime NT, 2006, 5p, Online
A 2001 inquiry into how best the Government
should deal with widespread sexual abuse and violence within Western
Australia's Indigenous community resulted in recommendations for the
reintroduction of Indigenous specific service delivery models. This
paper outlines changes that have been made at the Perth Sexual Assault
Resource Centre office to: education and training services, Aboriginal
Liaison Officer positions, cultural awareness packages, specific
counselling services for Indigenous people, development of resources, and
the establishment of an Indigenous Reference Group.
Indigenous
overrepresentation in prison: the role of offender
characteristics. (PDF 533 KB)
Snowball,
Lucy; Weatherburn, Don.
Sydney,
NSW: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research,
2006, 20p, tables, figures (Crime and justice bulletin
no.99), Online
Despite
efforts to reduce Indigenous imprisonment rates
in Australia, the rate has actually increased over
the last few years. This research investigated
factors that may account for the high representation
of Indigenous people in prisons. Firstly, it looked
for evidence of racial bias in sentencing, and
then examined other factors to account for Indigenous
overrepresentation in prisons. The report shows that
no evidence of racial bias was found, and concluded
that the high rate of imprisonment resulted from
a higher rate of conviction for violent crime and
a higher rate of re offending. The report discusses
the policy implications of the findings.
Intersections of oppression in women's experiences
of intimate violence. (PDF 252 KB)
Gray, Kay; Bradford, Michelle.
Queensland Centre for the Prevention of
Domestic and Family Violence Research Newsletter v.3
no.3 Jan 2005: 5-8, and Online
The author uses the concept of intersectionality
proposed by Crenshaw (1991) to analyse the intersection
of gender, race and class in domestic and family
violence settings. An intersectional approach encourages
practioners to work with women's own angles of vision.
The intersectional perspective provides insight into
the way social, economic, cultural, political and
legal forces oppress and The article focuses on gender
race intersections in Australia specifically regarding
Indigenous women and migrant women and discusses
class and status.
Interpersonal
violence, suicide and cultural diversity:
what are the links? (PDF 412 KB)
Stewart, Sarah
Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse
Newsletter no.20 Dec 2004: 11-12, and Online ( whole
issue)
The author highlights the substantial body of research
that has explored the relationship between suicide and experiences of
interpersonal violence. However, studies that investigate the prevalence
of suicidality in relation to experiences of domestic violence, sexual
assault and childhood abuse in a cross cultural context are few,
particularly studies of women from culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds. The author is currently involved in the data gathering and
consultation phase of a project to develop resources to support service
providers working with people from nondominant cultrual groups in
addressing the risk of suicide in the context of interpersonal
trauma.
Intimate partner abuse and Indigenous
peoples.
Atkinson, Judy.
In: Roberts, G., Hegarty, K. and Feder,
G., eds. Intimate partner abuse and health professionals:
new approaches to domestic violence. Edinburgh,
Scotland: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier,
2006, p197-212
The extent of violence in Indigenous Australia,
and similarities in the experiences of violence
in the indigenous nations of Australia, New Zealand,
the United States of America and Canada are discussed.
The chapter looks at public health approaches to
violence, the causes of violence in Indigenous
communities, the effects of violence on victims
and their families, an Indigenous new public health
and educational approach to Indigenous needs, and
the model of 'educaring', a health and healing
response to intimate partner violence.
Lack of data means lack of action: a clinical examination
of access to health services for women with disabilities.
(Word 74K)
Salthouse,
Sue; Howe, Keran.
In: HREOC
Forum on Health Access, Sydney, 28 May 2004. Sydney,
NSW: Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
2004, 15p, Online only
The status of women with disabilities and their access
to preventative screening services are discussed in
this paper. It explores the impact of structural inequality
on health, the impact of structural inequality on attitudes
of health professionals, the impact on a woman's health
of the medicalisation of disability, lack of data,
breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening,
and other systemic barriers for women with disabilities,
including physical access, lack of access to information,
costs, and health care processes.
Law and justice statistics,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people: a snapshot, 2006.
Australian Bureau of
Statistics.
Canberra, ACT: Australian Bureau of
Statistics, 2007, 5p, tables, figures (ABS catalogue no. 4722.0.55.003),
Online
An overview of Indigenous peoples' experiences of
law and justice is presented. It is based on information gathered in the
2002 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey
(NATSISS) and on data from the 2006 National Prisoners' Census, with
comparative data from the 2002 General Social Survey (GSS) and the 1994
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Survey (NATSIS).
Statistics are analysed to present information about Indigenous peoples'
exposure to violence, neighbourhood and community problems, life
stressors, and arrest and imprisonment rates.
Linking Women with Safety Across the Communities
Inc.
Galvin, Kaylene.
Women Against Violence - An Australian Feminist Journal no.15 2003 - 2004: 59-60
The Linking Women With Safety Across
the Communities INC (LWWSAC) is a community driven service with the aim
of increasing the safety of women, children and families in situations of
domestic violence across six rural communities in the Orana Far Western
region of New South Wales. LWWSAC aims to provide: coordination of
services; community education about violence; recognition of the
diversity of women; community capacity building; and increased access
services by Aboriginal women.
Mainstreaming
crisis accommodation: responses to Indigenous family
violence: literature review. (PDF 276 KB)
Leveratt, Mandy.
Melbourne, Vic: Centre of Applied Social Research,
RMIT, 2003, 20p, Online
This literature review was prepared
for the Centre of Applied Social Research, RMIT in conjunction with The Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service Victoria as part of the
Mainstreaming Crisis Accommodation Responses to Indigenous Family
Violence Project. It beings by presenting quotations which illustrate
that Indigenous people are not homogeneous and should not be treated as
such because to do so perpetuates the notion of non-Western people as
unambiguously 'other'. Moreover, it is argued, the disagreements in the
literature further suggest that there is significant diversity of opinion
and points of tension around the whole issue of domestic violence and
Indigenous people. Points of tension are then explored, including the use
of the term 'family violence' over 'domestic violence'; the role of
feminist analyses; and the precedence accorded to colonisation as the
causal factor in Indigenous violence. Implications of these tensions for
Indigenous women's access to services are discussed, as are key elements
of good practice identified in the literature. It is noted that the
literature review ultimately raises more questions than it provides
answers.
My body belongs to me: breaking the silence on sexual
abuse: an awareness-raising project for Aboriginal
communities. (PDF 1.46 MB)
Western Australia. Department of Indigenous Affairs.
Perth, WA: Department of Indigenous Affairs,
2002, 15p, illus, Online
Information is provided in this
document about My Body Belongs To Me, a Western Australian project that
seeks to break the silence on sexual abuse. It involved the production of
a video which was prepared by a group of Aboriginal women and men from
across the State. The video was designed to encourage Aboriginal people
to talk about sexual abuse and to bring this problem out into the open.
Prepared for the 2002 Premier's Awards for Excellence - Social and
Community Development, which was awarded to the My Body Belongs to Me
project, this document describes the background to the project, and
promotes it in terms of its success indicators. It is stated that the
project has been the catalyst for change in the way mainstream government
agencies address the problem of sexual abuse, and that it has
kick-started sustainable, interagency strategies that are resulting in
the development and delivery of culturally appropriate responses to
sexual abuse.
Not for sale: feminists resisting prostitution and
pornography
Whisnant, Rebecca, ed.; Stark,
Christine ed..
Melbourne, Vic: Spinifex, 1st ed.,
2004, 445p
The essays collected in this volume, bring
together research, testimony, and theory on the sex industry from a
feminist perspective as well as radical critiques of racism, poverty,
militarism, and unbridled corporate capitalism, to show how the
pornography and prostitution industries cause grievous harm to those
within them while undermining the possibilities for gender justice, human
equality, and truly diverse and joyful sexual relationships.
NSW Aboriginal family health strategy
New South Wales. Health Department.
North
Sydney, NSW: NSW Department of Health, 2002, 24p
A
Steering Committee with representatives of the Aboriginal
Health Branch and the Women's Health Unit, in conjunction
with the NSW Aboriginal Health Resource Cooperative
(AHRC) worked with the consultancy group Word Map to
develop this Strategy. The objective of the NSW Aboriginal
Family Health Strategy is to reduce family violence
and sexual assault in Aboriginal communities in New
South Wales. This document outlines the family health
context for Aboriginal family violence and sexual assault;
identifies major issues in addressing Aboriginal family
health issues; sets out strategies for family health;
sets out goals, targets, outcome indicators, guidelines
for funding and requirements for data collection for
family health initiatives; describes some models being
developed by different Aboriginal communities.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Bean,
Kate.
New Community Quarterly
v.4 no.1 Autumn 2006: 41-42
Many Indigenous
communities in the Northern
Territory have problems with alcohol, violence, racism
and other factors present in developing countries,
but this is not the whole picture. This article recommends
that attention also be given to the dedicated workers
and residents who are involved in a number of successful
projects for Aboriginal communities. It argues that
the key to empowering communities lies in long term
community development techniques and listening to communities,
and not in imposing solutions and Shared Responsibility
Agreements on them.
Outrageous! Moral panics in Australia.
Poynting, Scott, ed.; Morgan, George, ed..
Hobart, Tas: ACYS Publishing, 2007, 224p, illus.
Australia, exploring themes of stereotypes, prejudice,
government action, the media, and emerging communications
technology. Chapters are as follows: Introduction,
by Scott Poynting and George Morgan; Curfew, children,
class and colonialism, by George Morgan; Riot, resistance
and moral panic: demonising the colonial other, by
Chris Cunneen; Danger from below: anti-eviction struggle
in Sydney, January to July, 1931, by Drew Cottle and
Angela Keys; Taking it to the streets: the larrikins
and the Lebanese, by Rob White; The blame game: struggles
over the representation of the 'Macquarie Fields riot',
by Murray Lee; 'To try to ruin': rock'n'roll, youth
culture and law'n'order in Brisbane, 1956-1957, by
Raymond Evans; 'Why are they all drinking water?' Raves,
ecstasy and the death of Anna Wood, by Shane Homan;
Heroin epidemic! Drugs and moral panic in the western
suburbs of Melbourne 1995-1996, by James Rowe; Contesting
Cabramatta: moral panic and media interventions in
'Australia's heroin capital', by Tanja Dreher; The
hoon: controlling the streets?, by Glen Fuller; 'It's
a security thing': mobile phones and moral regulation,
by Jayde Cahir and Greg Noble; The Afghan other, by
Nahid Kabir; 'Thugs' and 'grubs' at Cronulla: from
media beat-ups to beating up migrants, by Scott Poynting;
White natives and gang rape at the time of the centenary,
by Kate Gleeson; 'Like a pack of wild animals': moral
panics around 'ethnic' gang rape in Sydney, by Selda
Dagistanli; Public health and sexual morality: venereal
disease in World War II Australia, by Michael Sturma;
Innocent children, dangerous families and homophobic
panic, by Affrica Taylor, has been selected for individual
indexing.
Overcoming barriers to providing domestic violence
services for women from culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds.
Nesci, Angela.
In:
4th National Homelessness Conference: papers. Dickson,
ACT: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations,
2006, 5p, Online
The
reasons for the reluctance of migrant groups to use social services are
discussed here; in particular, why many women from non English speaking
backgrounds do not ask domestic violence services for help. The primary
reasons are discussed; these include difficulty in navigating the system
because of language and cultural barriers, fear of moving into an unknown
situation and of being isolated from their own community. The paper also
considers the implications of the decision to discontinue government
funding for ANESBWA (the Association for Non English Speaking Background
Women of Australia). There is no longer a national peak body
representing women from CALD backgrounds.
Prediction of the risk of male sexual reoffending
in Australia.
Allan, Alfred; Dawson, Deborah; Allan,
Maria M.
Australian Psychologist v.41 no.1 Mar
2006: 60-68, tables
This paper reports the findings of a
retrospective study designed primarily to investigate the predictive
accuracy of the Rapid Risk Assessment for Sexual Offence Recidivism, the
Static 99, and two models developed in Western Australia: the Violent
Offender Treatment Program Risk Assessment Scale (VOTPRAS) and the 3
Predictor model. The study involved a WA sample of violent and non
violent sexual offenders. A secondary aim was to establish whether the
instruments are equally valid for Indigenous and non Indigenous, and
violent and non violent sexual offenders. The data of 538 convicted
sexual offenders who were assessed by the Sex Offender Treatment Program
of the WA Department of Justice during 1987 - 2002 were used. The
predictor variables were the total scores obtained for each instrument
and the outcome variable a conviction in a court for a further sexual
offence and, in the case of the VOTPRAS, also a further violent offence.
(Journal abstract, edited)
Prostitution as a harmful cultural practice
Jeffreys, Sheila.
In: Not for sale:
feminists resisting prostitution and pornography. Melbourne, Vic: Spinifex, 1st ed., 2004, 445p
The author outlines
developments in the growth of the sex industry over the last two decades,
including the impact of legalisation of brothels and decriminalisation of
prostitution. The author argues that, contrary to the social message
these developments send, prostitution should not be seen as ordinary work
or a woman's choice, but rather should be placed within United Nations
understandings of what constitutes a harmful traditional/cultural
practice.
Protocol:
a coordinated approach to better respond
to drug facilitated sexual assault in
Darwin urban.
Northern Territory. Women's Health Strategy Unit
Darwin, NT: Women's Health Strategy Unit, Territory
Health Services, 2004, 29p, Online
Developed as part of a broader project, the first stage
of which was an awareness raising campaign, 'Watch Your Drink, Yourself
and Your Friend', this protocol has been developed to ensure all victims
of drug-facilitated sexual assault receive appropriate treatment and
referrals as required; and to improve the current services provided to
victims/survivors of drug-facilitated sexual assault by promoting better
understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each service provider,
which results in appropriate referrals of victims/survivors. The protocol
includes information about the extent of the problem of drink spiking,
and, as an appendix, a Literature review on drug facilitated sexual
assault by Liz Kasteel.
Rape and sexual transgression in Cambodian
society.
Surtees, Rebecca.
In: Manderson, Lenore and Bennett, Linda Rae, eds. Violence
against women in Asian societies. London, UK: RoutledgeCurzon, 2003,
p93-113 (ASAA women in Asia series)
This chapter explores
the complex nature of rape and sexuality in Cambodia.
NGO interventions in Cambodia have responded to domestic
violence and trafficking in women,
however there is a gap where the issue of rape is concerned.
The author conducted six months of fieldwork, speaking
to NGO workers and clients about their experiences
of sexual violence. Cambodian ideas of rape and sexuality
vary widely from Western ideas, and the author looks
at marital rape, acquaintance rape and stranger rape
within Cambodian society. She concludes that the lack
of rape intervention can be largely attributed to
the complicated nature of definition and consent,
and the socially imposed silence of victims of rape.
Responding
to sexual assault in aged and disability care
settings: the SADA project. (Word
76K)
Northern Sydney
Health.
In: Passion, power,
practice: 2nd National ACROD Ageing and Disability
Conference, Hobart, 19-20 July 2005: speakers presentations.
Curtin, ACT: ACROD Limited, 2005, 7p, Online (MS Word
76K)
A significant number of people
in aged care and disability settings have been sexually
assaulted and most of these people do not have fair
access to the criminal justice system nor the resources
to ensure their ongoing safety. The SADA (Sexual
Assault in Disability and Ageing) project addresses
the sexual assault of these vulnerable people, the
difficulties involved in ensuring their safety and
in pursuing prosecution. SADA aims to create a framework
for action in which agencies work together to ensure
protection of vulnerable people in care settings
and to provide an effective response to incidents
or concerns of sexual assault.
Responding
to sexual violence: working with Aboriginal adolescents
and adults.
Sexual
Assault Resource Centre (Perth, WA).
Perth,
WA: Sexual Assault Resource Centre, 2005, 25 minute
DVD and 4p training notes
This DVD depicts two counselling
sessions, one with an adolescent Aboriginal girl
who has experienced sexual abuse; the second with
an Aboriginal woman who experienced sexual abuse
as a child. The video demonstrates general counselling
skills, working within a cultural context, and responding
to disclosures of sexual assault and child sexual
abuse. Training notes with key questions and issues
for discussion accompany the video.
Reviewing
the NT Government 'no drop' policy: moving from a
punitive approach to victim support.
Crawley,
Sabina
Indigenous Law Bulletin
v.6 no.6 Oct 2004: 14-16
Implications for remote Aboriginal women in
relation to the NT Government's No Drop Policy (NDP)
which concerns the prosecution of criminal offences
in relation to family violence are discussed in this
article. A whole of community response that pays
greater regard to the needs of victims is recommended.
The education of prosecuting authorities is considered
crucial for the balancing of public interest factors
in the prosecution of family violence offences.
Rural women, family violence and the New South Wales AVO
scheme: Aboriginal women speak out.
Moore,
Elizabeth
In: O'Hagan, Rowan, Alston, Margaret and
Spriggs, Shelley eds. Setting the agenda for rural women: research
directions: conference proceedings and recommendations. Wagga Wagga, NSW:
Centre for Rural Social Research, 2003, p88-99, tables, figures
In New South Wales, people experiencing domestic violence may
apply for an apprehended violence order (AVO), which offers legal
protection as well as public education and deterrence functions. However,
Aboriginal women have raised issues about barriers to obtaining
protection through the AVO scheme. The author looks at population, crime
and outcomes of AVOs in the towns of Wagga Wagga, Bourke and Dubbo. She
looks at what factors inhibit Aboriginal women from seeking help about
family violence and their experience with legal protection and formal
justice. She also discusses the need for alternatives to court, with an
emphasis on a holistic model that includes prevention.
Scoping violence against women in Australia. (PDF 108 KB)
Sneddon, Clare.
Sydney, NSW:
Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2007, 32p, Online
(Powerpoint presentation in PDF format)
This
presentation briefly explains the prevalence of violence against women in
Australia, describes how this impacts upon women and children, and
suggests ways students can be involved in preventing violence and abuse.
48% of Australian women report experiencing at least one incident of
physical violence in their lifetime, and 34% report at least one incident
of sexual violence. The presentation outlines the prevalence for
different groups, such as the disabled, Indigenous women, and lesbians;
the health, housing, well being, and employment effects on women; the
effect on children witnessing abuse; and why violence occurs.
Service profile: Immigrant women's support service
(Queensland).
Allimant, Annabelle
Aware: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault
Newsletter no.5 Jan 2005: 20-24 and Online
In this interview, the
Coordinator of the Immigrant Women's Support Service in Queensland talks
about the following: the service's philosophy and organisation; the
importance of having a separate service for women from non English
speaking backgrounds; issues that are specific to this group of women;
what the service offers to female survivors of domestic violence and
sexual assault; how the service addresses the issue of male partner rape;
issues that the service is working on; and lessons learned.
Sexual
assault and Indigenous communities.
Greer,
P.
In: Practice
and prevention: contemporary issues in adult sexual
assault conference.Sydney, NSW: NSW
Attorney-General's Department, Crime Prevention Division,
2003, Online only
The author documents the growing awareness of the
prevalence of rape in Aboriginal communities across Australia from the
1980s until the 1990s, and the work being done to address the problem.
She states her amazement that there is still inadequate information about
the topic to work with and emphasises the need to act now to prevent the
continuation of the extremely high levels of violence being inflicted on
Aboriginal women and children.
Silence won't stop the violence, Mount Isa workshops.
(PDF 462 KB)
Reilly, Lyndon.
Queensland
Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research Newsletter
v.3 no.2 Dec 2004: 6-8, and Online (whole issue)
Two workshops at Mount
Isa's domestic and family violence forum, Silence won't stop the
violence, are described in this article. It discusses precipitating
causes, situational factors, underlying factors, and the role and well
being of Indigenous men.
Sistergirls: stories from Indigenous Australian transgender
people.
Brown, Kooncha.
Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal v.28 no.6 Nov - Dec
2004: 25-26
Transgenderism within contemporary Indigenous
Australian societies is often invisible and its issues overlooked. This
article looks at attitudes to and the rights of transgender people in
Indigenous communities, isolation, violence, HIV, AIDS and STIs, and
outlines the work of the AIDS council of NSW.
Social justice report 2003.
Jonas,
William.
Sydney, NSW: Human Rights and Equal
Opportunity Commission, 2004, 270p, Online
This report
outlines developments relating to reconciliation and ensuring
accountability of government; highlights progress in addressing
Indigenous disadvantage, and initiatives of the Council of Australian
Governments (COAG); examines processes relating to Indigenous
participation in decision-making and changing the relationship of
Indigenous peoples with government; analyses current progress by
governments in addressing petrol sniffing on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara
Lands; identifies the responses of governments to issues of family
violence in Indigenous communities; provides a statistical overview of
the current circumstances of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
population in Australia; and, where possible, describes changes over the
last five or ten years and international comparisons.
Speak
out, speak strong: researching the needs
of Aboriginal women in custody. (PDF 284 KB)
Sydney, NSW: Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council,
2003, 93p, Online
Aboriginal
women are disproportionately represented in all stages
of the New South Wales criminal justice system, and
specifically in the adult and juvenile prison population.
The overall objectives of the Speak Out Speak Strong
Project were to identify the causes for imprisonment
of Aboriginal women, the experiences of Aboriginal
women in the criminal justice system and to identify
their needs once incarcerated. This report on the project
includes information about the demographics of Aboriginal
women in custody, an exploration of some of the issues
that Aboriginal women in custody identified that had
a particular impact on their offending behaviour, and
discussion of their imprisonment experiences. The report
highlights a number of significant issues for Aboriginal
women in prison, not least of which being the connections
between violence and sexual assault and drug use.
Stop it ... before it starts! A program for adolescents:
building positive relationships and avoiding violent ones.
Jacobs, Tanya; McGrath, Mina
Darwin, NT:
Office of Women's Policy, Northern Territory Government, 2004, 130p,
illus.
Designed for delivery by organisations as diverse
as schools, Indigenous communities, non-government organisations, and
community-based organisations, this training package provides a series of
modules which target general groups, and Indigenous groups (comprising
Indigenous participants only). The modules cover information about
violent relationships; learning about healthy relationships; and applying
the information and learning to a real life scenario.
Tasmanian Aboriginal family violence action plan.
Orr, Liz; Turner, Colleen.
Tasmania:
Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Council, 2004, 38p, tables
The themes and strategies of the Tasmanian Regional Aboriginal Council's
family violence action plan are described in this paper. The themes are:
break the silence and heal; promote education and employment; build
partnerships and cooperation; reflect on how we are travelling; use our
agencies to assist change; and address the legacy of government policies
and procedures contributing to family violence.
The importance of respecting Indigenous
culture.
Lawrence, Carmen.
Developing
Practice: The Child, Youth and Family Work Journal
no.16 Winter 2006: 5-8
The reactions
to recent revelations of Indigenous child abuse
and family violence are yet another manifestation
of a sustained official assault on Aboriginal culture
and are part of the return of calls for assimilation.
This article argues that most Australians are ignorant
of Indigenous language, law and culture, and that
this lack of understanding makes it impossible
to deal with problems like violence and abuse.
The
Indigenous health promotion resources guide:
a national information guide for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander health workers.
Matraville,
NSW: Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal,
5th ed., 2005, 192p
This directory
provides content and availability details of Indigenous
health promotion resources relating to: accommodation;
aged care; asthma; baby health; breastfeeding;
bullying at work; bush foods and medicines; cancer;
cervical screening; child care; child protection;
children's health; clinical practice; criminal
justice issues; cross cultural education; culture
and history; dementia; dental health; diabetes;
diarrhoea; disabilities; education and training;
employment; environmental health; exercise; eye
care; family health; family support; family violence;
finance; first aid; gambling; grief and loss;
health complaints; health promotion; health service
provision; health worker issues and training;
hearing; heart health; hepatitis; hepatitis C;
HIV and AIDS; hospital liaison; housing; hygiene;
immunisation; injury management and prevention;
men's health; mental health; mortality and morbidity;
nutrition; patient transport; podiatry; policies;
primary health care; public health; publications;
renal health; research; respiratory disease;
rheumatic fever; safety strategy; scabies; sexual
assault; sexual health; snake bite; social and
emotional well being; social justice; sport and
recreation; statistics; substance misuse; suicide
prevention; trachoma; traditional healing; tuberculosis;
vascular health; water safety; women's health;
and youth.
The Mangolamara case: improving Aboriginal
community safety and healing.
McGlade,
Hannah; Hovane, Vickie.
Indigenous
Law Bulletin v.6 no.27 May 2007: 18-20
The
Western Australian criminal case of the Director
of Public Prosecutions versus Mangolamara illustrates
the deficiencies of the current criminal justice
system in responding to violent Aboriginal offenders
who pose an ongoing danger to the community. Legal
services lack integration and prison based Indigenous
sex offender programs are of arguable worth and
are not compulsory. Aboriginal communities need
more input into the criminal justice system. The
healing lodges of Canada, where Canadian Aboriginal
culture is reinforced in the rehabilitation process
and the community is involved in re integration,
are examples of successful collaboration.
The
needs of Pacific women when they are victims of
family violence.
Koloto, 'Ana
Hau'alofa'ia; Sharma, Sashi.
Social
Policy Journal of New Zealand no.26 Nov 2005: 84-96,
table, and Online
A concern about
the dearth of research data on the specific needs
of Pacific victims of crime led to a study which
explored the needs of Pacific people who have been
victims of three types of crime: violence, family
violence and property offences. The study was designed
to provide qualitative information to complement
the quantitative information provided by the second
New Zealand National Survey of Crime Victims 2001.
Various Pacific
theoretical frameworks for research were utilised
to inform the design and analysis used in this study.
This paper focuses on the women in that sample,
and considers the needs of Pacific women who are
victims of family violence. The findings indicate
that victims of family violence were at different
stages of dealing with the impacts of the violence
inflicted by other members of their families. The
paper concludes by suggesting some implications for
social policy. (Journal abstract)
The prison merry go round: no way off.
Kilroy, Debbie.
Indigenous Law Bulletin
v.6 no.13 Aug - Sept 2005: 25-27
Indigenous women and
girls are dramatically over represented in the prison system all around
Australia and the majority have experienced sexual assault or abuse or
physical violence before entering the prison system. This article argues
that we need to address the causes of this current destructiveness and
acknowledge that everyone plays a role in the destruction. It looks at
the needs of, and obstacles faced by, Indigenous women who are released
from prison and makes recommendations about community involvement and
programs for healing and personal development which would assist the
women.
The right to be safe from domestic violence:
immigrant and refugee women in rural Victoria.
Success
Works.
Melbourne, Vic: Immigrant Women's Domestic
Violence Service, 2006, 42p plus appendices (31p)
The
perceptions and experiences of rural Victorian women from culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds of the barriers to addressing domestic
violence are examined. This report presents the results of focus groups
that were held with women and service providers. It identifies action
priorities: building relationships, organisational and staff development,
a strategic approach to overcoming barriers, provision of information,
and joint action.
The use of new communication technologies for sexual
exploitation of women and children
Hughes, D
M.
In: Not for sale: feminists resisting
prostitution and pornography. Melbourne, Vic: Spinifex, 1st ed., 2004,
445p
This paper examines how new communications and
information technology is being used to sexually exploit women and
children. Media technologies such as DVD, website, chat rooms and
newsgroups are explained to the reader and examples of how they are used
to violate the human rights of women and children are presented.
Trauma trails, recreating song lines: the transgenerational
effects of trauma in Indigenous Australia.
Atkinson, J
North Melbourne, Vic: Spinifex
Press, 2002, 324p, figures
After observing the severity
of social problems on central Queensland Aboriginal reserves, which were
often dismissed by government representatives reluctant to interfere, the
author went in search of a solution. This book is the outcome of an
effort to conduct research (from 1993 - 1998) that was meaningful and
that would provide practical and relevant outcomes for Aboriginal
communities. The author sought a contextual understanding of violence and
trauma, and the cultural and individual process of recovery from this
trauma. She used the culturally appropriate research approach of dadirri,
or listening to one another, to collect stories about the trauma and
healing of many Indigenous people. She considers how violence relates to
child development, family and community fragmentation, alcohol and drug
misuse, race and gender injustice, criminal behaviour and poverty.
Understanding
the term 'victim' and the concept of 'justice'
from an Indigenous perspective. (Word
41K)
James, Kadeja
Sarah.
In: Positive Ways: an
Indigenous Say: conference papers. Darwin, NT: Victims
of Crime NT, 2006, 9p, Online
Some tools for engaging with people in remote
communities are described, which can enable the development of meaningful
relationships, greater levels of social justice and greater levels of
empowerment. The paper identifies concern about issues relating to
victims and justice in Aboriginal contexts. It considers the need to
examine and explore objectively what constitutes a victim and what
constitutes justice. It examines the example of a sexual assault social
action research project that was conducted in a remote Aboriginal
context, looking at the need to ensure that attitudes, beliefs and
behaviours are appropriate.
Victorian Indigenous Family Violence Task Force: final
report.
Victorian Indigenous Family Violence Task
Force
Melbourne, Vic: Department for Victorian
Communities, 2003, 267p, illus.
The final report
outlines the background, establishment and operations of the Task Force;
the key milestones that were developed to support implementation
methodology, and key findings made against each milestone; what the Task
Force found through research, a literature review, community
consultations, key milestone activities, Indigenous organisations'
comments, and observations made by Task Force members; the Task Force
Action Plan, which details recommendations for government to consider in
developing its whole-of-government response to implement a Victorian
Indigenous Family Violence Strategy. The Path Ahead Action Plan in the
report highlights the recommendations to be actioned through the
following five priority areas: safety and security for victims of
violence; empowerment of Indigenous communities; collaborative planning
and decision-making based on community driven priorities; strengthening
service responses to Indigenous family violence; and stronger
partnerships.
Violence against Aboriginal women: reconstitution of
community law: the way forward.
Atkinson, Judy.
Indigenous Law Bulletin v.6 no.27 May 2007: 13-17, and
Online
This paper highlights how the implementation of the
Australian criminal justice system and the fracturing of Aboriginal
customary law has impacted upon Aboriginal women and girls. The appalling
statistics of rape, child sexual abuse, violence, and homicide, and
stories of legal discrimination and deaths in custody, underlie the need
for legal and social reforms that incorporate Aboriginal social control
mechanisms and women's voices rather than relying on the unsuccessful
Western practices of prisons, white male policemen, and inappropriate
laws.
Violence against women: the challenges for Malaysian
women.
Foley, Rebecca.
In: Manderson, Lenore and Bennett, Linda Rae, eds. Violence against women in
Asian societies. London, UK: RoutledgeCurzon, 2003, p130-149 (ASAA women
in Asia series)
phis chapter explores the efforts of the
women's movement in Malaysia to raise awareness of violence against
women. The author presents an analysis of ethnic politics in Malaysia;
the relationship of the State to women; and the restrictions faced by
women's groups, which self-censor their statements from fear of
repressive State powers. Campaigns to eliminate gender violence are
discussed, covering rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment and abuse
of domestic helpers. The author concludes that the predominance of ethnic
politics and the 'semi-democratic' State pose obstacles to be overcome in
the elimination of violence against Malaysian women.
Violence
against Filipino women in Australia: theorising
the relationship between the discursive and non-discursive.
(PDF 213 KB)
Saroca, N.
In:
Expanding Our Horizons: Understanding the Complexities
of Violence Against Women - International Conference,
February 2002, University of Sydney - Conference papers.
Kensington, NSW: Australian Domestic and Family Violence
Clearinghouse, University of New South Wales, 2002,
26p, Online only
Violence is both discursively
constructed and an objective condition of many women's lives. It is
crucial, therefore, that analyses of violence against Filipino women in
Australia critically examine the relationship between the discursive and
nondiscursive. This paper presents a feminist exploration of the
relationship between Filipino women's experiences of violence and the
media's discursive construction of that violence. It is based on
interviews with Filipino women, the case study of a murdered Filipino
woman, Rosalina Canonizado, drawn from interviews with family members,
and a discourse analysis of Australian media articles. The discursive
terrain examined constitutes competing ways of making sense of the
women's lives. An intersectional approach is used in developing the
analysis. The author explores how intersections of gender, class 'race'
and ethnicity in the media construct Filipino women in particular ways
and shape their experiences of violence as well as responses to it.
Reading media texts against the interview data makes visible absences and
silences in the textual discourse. It is argued that theorising the
relationship between the discursive and nondiscursive allows the
revelation of such gaps in the media representations which result in a
misrepresentation of Filipino women and the violence they experience.
(Author abstract)
Violence against women in Asian societies.
Manderson, Lenore, ed.; Bennett, Linda Rae, ed..
London, UK: RoutledgeCurzon, 2003, 194p, (ASAA women in Asia
series)
This book explores the structural and
interpersonal violence women are subjected to in Asian societies, under
conditions of both conflict and ordered society. Issues covered include
sexual violence, domestic violence and violence occurring in the broader
community. The chapters are: Introduction: gender inequality and
technologies of violence by Linda Rae Bennett and Lenore Manderson;
Violence against Maranao Muslim women in the Philippines by Anne-Marie
Hilsdon; Presumed consent: marital violence in Bugis society by Nurul
Ilmi Idrus and Linda Rae Bennett; Loss of face: violence against women in South Asia by Mridula Bandyopadhyay and Mahmuda Rahman Khan; Behind
bamboo fences: forms of violence against women in Myanmar by Monique
Skidmore; Rape and sexual transgression in Cambodian society by Rebecca
Surtees; Sexual coercion amongst adolescents in an urban slum in India by
Geeta Sodhi and Manish Verma; Violence against women: the challenges for
Malaysian women by Rebecca Foley; Notes of an out-of-place widow by
Jacqueline Aquino Siapno; Whose honour, whose shame? Gender-based
violence, rights and health by Jill Astbury.
Voices in the wilderness: restoring justice
to traumatised peoples.
Atkinson,
J
University of New South Wales Law Journal v.25
no.1 2002: 233-241
Programs and policies for Indigenous people are
often based on white models and what legal reform exists
is very slow. The author considers the current response
of the criminal justice system to Indigenous family
violence and presents alternative approaches to break
the cycle of trauma that produces and perpetuates violence
in Aboriginal communities. These strategies focus on
the role of education in restorative approaches, redefining
the victim offender relationship, and innovative sentencing.
What's needed to improve child abuse/ family violence
in a social and emotional well being framework
in Aboriginal communities. (PDF 124 KB)
National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health
Organisation (NACCHO, Australia).
Canberra,
ACT: National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health
Organisation (NACCHO), 2006, 18p, Online
In
order to address violence in Aboriginal communities,
NACCHO as the national peak Aboriginal health body
representing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health
Services throughout Australia, advocates a holistic
response with a health focus on healing and empowerment.
This includes addressing issues of land rights, poverty,
housing, health, education and employment. The position
paper explains why this response is necessary and sets
out steps to take to continue work already underway.
Working towards changing the negative image
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males.
(Word 82K)
Adams, Mick.
In: Positive Ways: an Indigenous Say: conference
papers. Darwin, NT: Victims of Crime NT, 2006, 12p,
Online
The roles of Indigenous men have suffered as the result of changes to
traditional lifestyle and the disruption of family structures. Evidence
shows that the social and economic conditions in which Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander men live have contributed to a wide range of
health and social problems. This paper discusses the effects on
Indigenous men of the maltreatment of Indigenous Australians, including
self destruction and family violence. It looks at appropriate processes
for building safe, secure and healthier communities, and to assist men to
reconstruct their position within the family and community context.
Working
with Indigenous survivors of sexual assault.
Cox,
Dorinda.
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Centre for
the Study of Sexual Assault, Australian Institute of Family Studies,
2008, 7p (ACSSA wrap no.5), and Online
This paper
discusses good practice considerations for culturally appropriate
services for Indigenous survivors of sexual assault. It outlines values
and power balance, language, alternative service provision, co-location
of services, outreach, holistic services, client empowerment,
confidentiality, building trust, employing Indigenous personnel, and that
'one size doesn't fit all'. Professionals working in this area also need
to understand the context of kinship systems, intergenerational and
historical trauma, and cycles of abuse, which can hinder or harm their
clients.
Young
and homeless in rural South Australia.
Farrin, Jane.
Parity
v.18 no.6 Jul 2005: 12-13, figures
A
three stage project has investigated youth homelessness
in rural South Australia through interviews and focus
groups involving service providers, Indigenous and
non Indigenous homeless young people, and parents.
The concerns expressed by young people include the
lack of affordable and accessible housing, socioeconomic
disadvantage, invisibility of homelessness, domestic
violence and abuse, family breakdown, boredom, and
transience. This article discusses aspects of homelessness
among rural South Australian youth in considering
the following: difficulties in addressing rural youth
homelessness; 'career path model' of homelessness;
what can be changed in South Australia for homeless
youth.
International publications
Age at first sexual assault and current substance use and depression.
Kaukinen, Catherine. and DeMaris, Alfred.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence ; Vol. 20, no. 10, Oct, 2005, pp. 1244-1270.
This article explores the association between the age of sexual assault
and substance use and depression by race. The findings indicated that
problem drinking and drug use were associated with sexual assault for
minority women but not for White women. Also, Hispanic women were more
likely to suffer depression as a result of chilhood sexual abuse than women
from other races.
Attitudes toward rape : A comparison between
Asian and Caucasian college students.
Lee, Joohee., …[et al].
Violence against Women; Vol. 11, no. 4, Apr. 2005,
pp. 177-196.
The purpose of this study is to investigate
differences in attitudes toward rape between Asian
and Caucasian college students. The Attitudes Toward
Rape scale was used to measure beliefs about rape
in a convenience sample of 169 college students.
Three items regarding stranger rape myths were added.
Findings suggest that Asian students are more likely
than Caucasian students to believe women should be
held responsible for preventing rape and to view
sex as the primary motivation for rape. Asians also
have stronger beliefs than Caucasians do that victims
cause the rape and that most rapists are strangers.
This research suggests that outreach programs can
play an important role in providing information,
education, and prevention regarding rape and that
males and Asian students should be target populations
for such programs.
Attitudes toward victims of rape : effects
of gender, race, religion and social class.
Nagel, Barbara.,…[et al].
Journal of Interpersonal Violence; Vol. 20, no. 6,
2005, pp. 725-737.
This study builds on existing research
and extends the literature on how cultural, religious
and socioeconomic factors effect an individual's
attitude toward rape victims. The interactive effects
of a range of demographic variables within a community
sample were examined.
Forced
sexual relations among married young women
in developing countries. (PDF 168 KB)
Deepika Ganju ... [et al.]
New Delhi, India : Population
Council, 2004.
In September 2003, a global consultative
meeting on Non-Consensual Sexual Experiences of Young
People in Developing Countries was held in New Delhi,
India. This paper summarises the findings of papers
presented with regard to the nature and prevalence
of sexual coercion within marriage in developing countries.
The research suggests that a large no. of young women
experience forced sex within marriage, but that it
goes largely unreported for various cultural reasons.
While the nature of coercion varies within different
cultural contexts, cross-cultural comparisons reveal
a number of striking similarities within different
settings. Women found to be most at risk of sexual
violence within marriage are those who marry young,
those in arranged marriages, and those whose societal
norms support a belief in male entitlement to sex.
The paper concludes with recommendations for action
to be taken to reduce young women's vulnerability to
non-consensual sex within marriage.
Intimate partner abuse
and Indigenous peoples.
Atkinson,
Judy.
In: Roberts, G., Hegarty, K. and Feder, G.,
eds. Intimate partner abuse and health professionals:
new approaches to domestic violence. Edinburgh,
Scotland: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier,
2006, p197-212
The extent of violence in Indigenous Australia,
and similarities in the experiences of violence
in the indigenous nations of Australia, New
Zealand, the United States of America and Canada
are discussed. The
chapter looks at public health approaches
to violence, the causes of violence in Indigenous
communities, the effects of violence on victims
and their families, an Indigenous new public
health and educational approach to Indigenous
needs, and the model of 'educaring', a health
and healing response to intimate partner violence.
Maze
of injustice : the
failure to protect indigenous women from
sexual violence in the USA. (PDF 3.3 MB)
Amnesty International
London : Amnesty International, 2007.
This report examines the inadequate legal
and support service reponse to sexual violence against
Native American and Alaska native women in the United
States. These women face higher rates of assault than
non-Indigenous women, but the crimes are rarely reported
and survivors who wish to report are confronted by
a maze of tribal, state and federal laws, service indifference,
low prosecution rates, and discrimination. This report
focuses on crimes committed on or near tribal lands,
which fall under the jurisdiction of the local tribal
authority. Survivors of sexual violence and their families,
support workers, service providers, law enforcement
officials, and tribal authorities were interviewed
for this study, and case law and government reports
were examined. The report concludes with recommendations
to improve legislation and services, so authorities
can fulfll their human rights obligations to pursue
and punish those reponsible for sexual violence, and
provide appropriate support and care for Indigenous
survivors.
Navajo women and abuse : the context for their
troubled relationships.
Rivers, Mary J.
Journal of Family Violence; Vol. 20, no. 2, 2005, pp
83-89.
Several historical and cultural aspects of Navajo tradition
are explored in an effort to explain Navajo women's
experience of abuse. The differences between the abusive
experiences of Navajo and Anglo women are also examined.
Sex without consent : young people
in developing countries.
Jejeebhoy, S.J., Shah, I.H., and Thapa,
S., editors.
London : Zed Books, 2005.
This volume presents a disturbing picture
of non-consensual sex among girls as well
as boys, and among married as well as unmarried young
women in a variety of settings. This volume
documents, moreover, the expanse of non-consensual
experiences that young people face - from unwanted
touch to forced penetrative sex and gang rape. Although
focusing on young females, it also sheds
light on the experience of young males as both victims
and perpetrators. This pioneering volume highlights
key factors placing young people at risk, whilst
outlining the significant distinctive health and
social implications they face.
Violence against women and the burden of HIV-AIDS
in sub-Saharan Africa.
McCloskey, L.A., Larson, U. & Williams, C.
Women's Studies Journal, 19(2), 2005, pp. 41-55.
The literature on the prevalence
of violence, including sexual violence, against
women and girls in regions of sub-Saharan Africa,
and the connection between violence and HIV-AIDS,
are discussed in this article. The article reports
on a study, conducted in Tanzania, of indicators
of gender inequality, the measurement of types
of violence against women, and the link between
women's victimisation and their HIV status.