Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Ending family violence and abuse in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 2006).
This report overviews a number of issues about domestic and family violence in Indigenous communities. The section titled: ‘Resolving conflicts between human rights and Aboriginal customary law’ (p14) makes a number of points relevant to sentencing, in particular that Indigenous custom and law can adapt to general societal change and women’s right to individual safety and freedom from violence should be ensured.
Blagg, Harry, Nicole Bluett-Boyd and Emma Williams, Innovative Models In Addressing Violence Against Indigenous Women: State Of Knowledge Paper (ANROWS, 2015).
This state of knowledge paper draws on both national and international literature and policy and program evaluations, to establish what is currently known about innovative responses to violence against Indigenous women in Australia. It provides an overview of current literature about innovate justice practices that have been developed specifically for and often by Indigenous communities. The authors identify a trend towards holistic and responses. Among other things the authors identify that part of a holistic response to violence against women in Indigenous communities requires: ‘The increased provision of behavioural change programs, including anger management programs and drug and alcohol programs, and the introduction of skills-oriented employment programs that are accessible and culturally appropriate.(p17) While the authors identify support for secondary and tertiary interventions (including men’s behaviour change programs), they caution that programs should be culturally sensitive and specific to address the needs of Indigenous men and that logistical and administrative issues may need to be addressed (for example transport to the program.) These issues may be particularly pertinent for men living in rural and remote communities.(p13-14)
Blokland, Justice Jenny, ‘Unnecessary suffering: Violence against Aboriginal women in the Northern Territory – A discussion of contemporary issues and possible ways forward’ (2016) 3 Northern Territory Law Journal 3.
The author is a Justice of the Northern Territory Supreme Court. She observes that imprisonment is the most common form of punishment in cases of assaults by men against women (p. 4). She observes: ‘Although incarceration as a response to violence in this setting may serve a purpose in providing respite to victims for the term of imprisonment, it is clearly not deterring like-minded offenders. More significantly, for many offenders, it is not effecting behavioural changes to stop the physical violence. All studies emphasise the need to engage men both as individuals and members of social groups to effect transformative change. Recent international literature dealing with similar problems emphasises primary, secondary and tertiary interventions, the first two being preventative to assist in reducing violence of this kind and other harmful practices’(p. 13).
In the Northern Territory, respectful relationships education to young people is being used as a primary prevention strategy to stop men and boys using violence in the first place (p. 13). Secondary measures are aimed at reducing opportunities for violence. These include the imposition of DVOs (p. 14). In terms of tertiary stage intervention, the Indigenous Family Violence Offender Program (Family Violence Program) is important. The FVP aims to re-educate and shift attitudes in relation to women. It is particularly effective when people have self-referred and is inappropriate for serious matters. Participation in the program needs to be encouraged at the first sign of offending (p. 15). ‘Practitioners need to proceed with an awareness of how entrenched the ideas of control by violence are for many Aboriginal men’ (p. 16).
Bolger, Audrey, Aboriginal women: A report for the Criminology Research Council and the Northern Territory Commissioner of Police (ANU, North Australian Research Unit, 1991).
The research underlying this ground breaking report was carried out in the Northern Territory in 1989-1990. Data were collected in a variety of ways, the major ways being informal talks with Aboriginal women individually or in small groups, meetings of women's organisations, or by observation of events in communities. Aboriginal men in communities who were willing to discuss the issues were also approached both as individuals and as members of Aboriginal organisations. See especially p50: ‘As in other societies around the world there was still, in the final analysis, a culture of male dominance. However, it seems clear that the combination of inaccurate anthropological representations of Aboriginal women and the experience of colonisation have worked against them so that their status has deteriorated. Their situation today is affected by issues of race and gender, which intersect to influence negatively their position both within Australian society at large and within their own culture. One result of this is that they are now subject to violence from their own men of a kind which would not have been countenanced within traditional society. There are now three kinds of violence in Aboriginal society “alcoholic violence, traditional violence and bullshit traditional violence.” Women are victims of all three. By bullshit traditional violence is meant the sort of assault on women which takes place today for illegitimate reasons, often by drunken men which they then attempt to justify as a traditional right’.
Carlson, B., Day, M., and Farrelly, T. (2024) What works? A qualitative exploration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing programs that respond to family violence (Research report 02/2024) ANROWS.
In reporting back their findings, the researchers emphasised that responding to family violence is anti-colonial work that seeks to dismantle the racist systems and structures introduced by colonisation which disrupts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relationships and perpetuates intergenerational trauma.
Key themes were identified in response to the question of “what works” including:
•
shared understanding of trauma, healing and holistic approaches. For participants, trauma-aware, healing-informed holistic approaches included:
1.
understanding trauma in the context of family and the community
2.
understanding the impacts of colonisation and intergenerational trauma
3.
understanding people as more than just people who use violence or people who experience violence
4.
delivering programs in safe and familiar places
5.
working in strengths-based and healing-informed ways
6.
engaging thoughtfully with all parties, including the wider family and the community
7.
focusing on prevention and aiming to keep families together
•
strong networks, partnerships and collaboration that facilitate continuity of care as clients move across services and service providers
•
trust that enables successful engagement. This requires services and programs that meet community expectations, demonstrate credibility and ensure comfort.
Gallant, David et al ‘Aboriginal men's programs tackling family violence: A scoping review’ (2017) 20(2) Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues 48-68.
This study evaluates 11 studies of the effectiveness of interventions for Aboriginal men who commit domestic violence. A significant finding was that programs targeted at Aboriginal men must address multiple power constructs. Interventions should recognise that colonisation continues to have a significant impact on Aboriginal communities, but should not excuse the impact that men’s violence has on female victims (p 61).
Hennessy, Annette and Carolyn Willie, Sentencing Indigenous Offenders in Domestic and Family Violence Matters: A Queensland Experience. Paper presented at the ANZSOC 2006 Conference: Criminology and Human Rights, Hobart, 7-9 February 2006).
This Australian paper draws predominately on findings and observations from the Murri Court in Queensland to consider important factors that arise when sentencing indigenous offenders for domestic violence.Author Hennessey is a practicing magistrate and author Willie is a community development officer. The authors highlight the importance of ensuring that any rehabilitation aspect of sentencing is culturally appropriate and effective. They note an inequity in relation to the availability of appropriate programs for Indigenous people. Drawing on a small sample the authors explain that through the Murri Court, ( a specialist sentencing court) domestic violence offenders can be placed on a probation orders, requiring regular meetings with community Elders or a Community Justice Group, attending counselling through an Indigenous Healing Centre, attending counselling for substance abuse with an indigenous health organisation and other programs as may be appropriate to the offender’s situation (p 7). The authors argue that this approach reduced short term recidivism (p 8). The authors empahsise the need to consider culturally appropriate and effective counselling and treatment for offenders whilst, at the same time, ensuring they are suitably punished (p 10).
Kelly, Judith, ‘The intersection of Aboriginal customary law with the NT criminal justice system: the road not taken?’ Paper presented at the NTBA, Dili, Conference 10 July 2014 Dili.
In this presentation, a judge of the Northern Territory Supreme Court considers how traditional Aboriginal law and the law of the Northern Territory can co-exist. Domestic Violence is mentioned sporadically throughout the paper and it is concluded that despite whatever used to be the norm with regard to domestic violence, traditional law has reformed and violence in any respect is no longer appropriate. The authors state that Indigenous Australians traditionally did have a different approach to violence, punishment and discipline and state: ‘The practice of interpersonal violence as a form of punishment, the infliction of violent revenge, and the belief in the legitimacy of such practices, have continued through the second half of the twentieth century and beyond.’ (p7)
Langton, M. et al (2020), Improving family violence legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (Research report) Sydney, ANROWS.
This report identifies priorities for reducing and preventing violence against, and improving services for, Aboriginal women in the Victorian and New South Wales towns of Mildura, Albury and Wodonga.
‘In our study, victims and service providers raised repeatedly the diversion of Aboriginal perpetrators of violence away from custodial sentences, while strategies for ensuring the safety of Aboriginal victims remain poorly resourced especially in relation to the lack of housing accommodation for victims to provide safety for them and their children.
The likelihood, however, that family violence approaches that deflate the responsibility of serial offenders, especially those who commit extreme acts of violence, might be diverted from criminal justice systems on the grounds of their status as victims of history requires some ethical and legal review. Our findings in relation to the extremity of Aboriginal family violence in this study, the demands for increased funding of safety measures for victims, and the increasing rates of assault and homicide involving Aboriginal victims (whether due to more reporting or increased prevalence) support our recommendation for further investigation of this problem.’ p 35
Marchetti, Elena, ‘An Australian Indigenous-Focussed Justice Response to Intimate Partner Violence: Offenders’ Perceptions of the Sentencing Process’ (2015) 55(1) British Journal of Criminology 86.
Abstract: ‘This article draws on research conducted over the past four years on the use of Indigenous sentencing courts in Australia for sentencing Indigenous offenders of intimate partner violence (IPV). It presents interview findings of offenders’ perceptions of justice of a sentencing process that involves the participation of Elders and Community Representatives, as moral and cultural guides. This study concludes that the vast majority of interview participants found an Indigenous sentencing court process is fairer than a mainstream sentencing court process despite the fact that it is more challenging and confronting facing Elders and Community Representatives when being sentenced for an IPV offence. Their respect for Elders and Community Representatives, and the respect afforded to Elders and Community Representatives by the mainstream criminal justice system created a forum that both ‘shamed’ and supported the offenders in ways that reflected cultural values and norms’ (p. 86).
Marchetti, Elena (2019) Indigenous Courts, Culture and Partner Violence. Palgrave.
Abstract: This book examines the use and impact of Australian Indigenous sentencing courts in response to Indigenous partner violence. In operation in Australia since 1999, these courts were first established by a magistrate in South Australia who sought to improve court communication and understanding, and trust in the criminal justice system for Indigenous people. Indigenous Courts, Culture and Partner Violence is the first book to consider how the transformation of a sentencing process into one that better reflects Indigenous cultural values can improve outcomes for both victims and offenders of Indigenous partner violence. It asks which aspects of the sentencing process are most important in influencing a change in attitude and behaviour of Indigenous offenders who repeatedly engage in abusive behaviour towards their partner, and what types of justice process better meets the relationship, rehabilitative and safety needs of Indigenous partner violence offenders and their victims? (see especially pp77-99: ‘The role of elder and community representatives and how it impacts on perceptions of justice’).
Marchetti, Elena and Kathleen Daly, ‘Indigenous Partner Violence, Indigenous Sentencing Courts, and Pathways to Desistance.’, Violence Against Women 23(12):1513-1535, doi: 10.1177/1077801216662341.
Indigenous sentencing courts exist ‘to create a more meaningful sentencing process that has a deeper impact on Indigenous offenders’ attitudes and, ultimately, their behaviour. Drawing from interviews with 30 Indigenous offenders, [this paper explores] the ways in which the courts can motivate Indigenous partner violence offenders on pathways to desistence’ (p.1).
The study shows that it is not impossible to change offending behaviours. Marchetti and Daly write, ‘[u]sing culture as a “hook for change” (Giordano, Cernkovich, & Rudolph, 2002), Indigenous perpetrators of partner violence, with a readiness to change, can find the support and motivation to desist from further offending in towns that have Indigenous sentencing courts. By “using culture” as a hook for change, we mean a rekindling of Indigenous values, and of being reminded of one’s cultural heritage and identity, which requires respecting not only one’s Elders, but also family, kin, and partners. When we probe with care into patterns of offending after an Indigenous sentencing process, we are able to re-define “success” by including those who are on pathways to desistance’ (pp.16-17). They also note that the process of change is not ‘linear and immediate, but zigzag and lengthy’ (p.17).
Nancarrow, Heather ‘In search of justice for domestic and family violence: Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian women’s perspectives’ (2006) 10:1 Theoretical Criminology 87-106.
In this Australian research, the attitude of women towards responses to domestic violence is examined. The author interviewed 10 Indigenous women and ten non-Indigenous women (the Indigenous women in the sample were drawn from various urban and remote locations which were spread over a distance of almost 2000 kilometres and included two indigenous communities). None of the Indigenous women interviewed preferred the criminal justice system as a response to domestic and family violence (p 95). However Indigenous women did say criminal law needed to be applied in cases of homicide, serious assaults and sexual abuse of children - as these types of cases were too ‘big’ (sensitive) for communities to handle on their own. The majority of Indigenous women interviewed preferred restorative justice. Indigenous critique of criminal justice system (p 97): irrelevant (symbolically), it often escalated rather than ended violence and its interventions continued to separate families.
Olsen, Anna and Ray Lovett, Existing knowledge, practice and responses to violence against women in Australian Indigenous communities: Key findings and future directions (ANROWS, 2016).
This resource provides a brief summary of published literature on Indigenous women and violence. It is based on Existing knowledge, practice and responses to violence against women in Australian Indigenous communities: State of knowledge paper. This literature review found that “the cumulative nature of socio-economic disadvantage (such as personal, family and economic related stressors) and the lasting effects of colonisation are thought to be linked to violence against women in Indigenous communities. Any attempts to reduce violence in Indigenous communities requires a multi-faceted and holistic approach including efforts to improve the wider social, economic and health of Indigenous communities”.
Pascoe Gaymarani, George, ‘Yolngu Ngarra Law customary law painting presentation’ (2011) 4 Balance: Journal of the Northern Territory Law Society 26.
In this presentation the author (a traditional Owner for Milingiimbi, Gamurr-Guyurra, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory of Australia; leading Yolngu customary law identity and Ngarra Elder) attempts to describe the Ngarra law of Arnhem Land in order to provide access to the law for interested people, especially “white” (Balanda) lawyers. The law described is that of the Yolngu people (who speak the Yolngu matha languages). The author notes: ‘domestic violence is not permitted. Domestic violence is no longer appropriate. Ngarra law has no place for domestic violence. In the past, husbands did hit their wives sometimes – this happened in both Balanda and Yolgnu society. The law – both Balanda law and Yolgnu law – allowed it to happen. Not anymore! We do not have to be ashamed of what happened in the past, but we all need to work together now as a nation.’ (p28)
‘‘Pay back’ is another thing that has changed over time. When ‘pay back’ happened in the past, it involved physical punishment, just like in the Old Testament: ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’. These days ‘pay back’ is more like a mutual obligation: when you look after my children when they visit you, I have to ‘pay back’ by looking after your children when they visit me. When people break the Ngarra law these days they can be punished by other means, including compensation of discipline training camps in the bush (Gunapipi).When there has been a really serious breach of law, say murder or rape, the Balanda system can take care of it. The Ngarra law can work together with the Balanda law’(p28).
Purdie Nola, Pat Dudgeon and Roz Walker, eds. Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander mental health and Well-being Principles and Practice, 2nd edition (2014, Telethon Kids).
This book includes chapters on a wide range of issues associated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander mental health. The editors identify that the purpose of the book is to provide an appropriate resource for a range of health professionals who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, counsellors, and other staff of Indigenous health services. Chapter 1 ’Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health: An Overview’ by Robert Parker provides a good summary of relevant issues, see especially from p5-7. See also chapter 10 ‘Trauma, Transgenerational Transfer and Effects on Community Well-being’ by Judy Atkinson et al.
Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) (2022) First Nations Women’s Safety Policy Forum Outcomes Report, Australian Human Rights Commission.
The Wiyi Yani U Thangani First Nations Women's Safety Policy Forum (the Forum) was held virtually on 12 September 2022. It brought over 150 participants together including First Nations community members, practitioners, researchers, specialist experts and government participants to consider how to address the root causes and drivers of violence, as the government prepares to deliver on its commitment to develop a standalone National Plan to End Violence against First Nations Women and Children.
The report recognizes a number of intersecting factors that increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s vulnerability to violence. For example there is evidence that 70-90% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in prison have experienced violence, almost 90% of Aboriginal children in out of home care are there because of family violence and First Nations children are imprisoned at 26 times the rate of non-Aboriginal children (p.13). 49% of Indigenous Australians are employed (cf 75% of other Australian) and 30% of First Nations women care for someone in need (p14).
Research highlights the impacts of colonisation and trauma in a historical sense, as an ongoing intergenerational process, and as perpetuating and causing contemporary issues and cycles of harm. Dispossession of land, separation of families and communities, ongoing marginalisation from racism and discrimination and in particular the forcible removal of children, are historic traumas and continue through current structures. They are deeply linked with the experiences of family violence, serving both as a cause and effect of intergenerational trauma and violent behaviours. (p26)
Policing and the criminal justice system are part of the problem in First Nations family violence matters. Specifically, family violence can be perpetuated by poor and discriminatory system responses to First Nations people experiencing family violence, for example by police, child protection agencies and mainstream services. (p30)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Ending family violence and abuse in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 2006).
This report overviews a number of issues about domestic and family violence in Indigenous communities. The section titled: ‘Resolving conflicts between human rights and Aboriginal customary law’ (p14) makes a number of points relevant to sentencing, in particular that Indigenous custom and law can adapt to general societal change and women’s right to individual safety and freedom from violence should be ensured.
Blagg, Harry, Nicole Bluett-Boyd and Emma Williams, Innovative Models In Addressing Violence Against Indigenous Women: State Of Knowledge Paper (ANROWS, 2015).
This state of knowledge paper draws on both national and international literature and policy and program evaluations, to establish what is currently known about innovative responses to violence against Indigenous women in Australia. It provides an overview of current literature about innovate justice practices that have been developed specifically for and often by Indigenous communities. The authors identify a trend towards holistic and responses. Among other things the authors identify that part of a holistic response to violence against women in Indigenous communities requires: ‘The increased provision of behavioural change programs, including anger management programs and drug and alcohol programs, and the introduction of skills-oriented employment programs that are accessible and culturally appropriate.(p17) While the authors identify support for secondary and tertiary interventions (including men’s behaviour change programs), they caution that programs should be culturally sensitive and specific to address the needs of Indigenous men and that logistical and administrative issues may need to be addressed (for example transport to the program.) These issues may be particularly pertinent for men living in rural and remote communities.(p13-14)
Blokland, Justice Jenny, ‘Unnecessary suffering: Violence against Aboriginal women in the Northern Territory – A discussion of contemporary issues and possible ways forward’ (2016) 3 Northern Territory Law Journal 3.
The author is a Justice of the Northern Territory Supreme Court. She observes that imprisonment is the most common form of punishment in cases of assaults by men against women (p. 4). She observes: ‘Although incarceration as a response to violence in this setting may serve a purpose in providing respite to victims for the term of imprisonment, it is clearly not deterring like-minded offenders. More significantly, for many offenders, it is not effecting behavioural changes to stop the physical violence. All studies emphasise the need to engage men both as individuals and members of social groups to effect transformative change. Recent international literature dealing with similar problems emphasises primary, secondary and tertiary interventions, the first two being preventative to assist in reducing violence of this kind and other harmful practices’(p. 13).
In the Northern Territory, respectful relationships education to young people is being used as a primary prevention strategy to stop men and boys using violence in the first place (p. 13). Secondary measures are aimed at reducing opportunities for violence. These include the imposition of DVOs (p. 14). In terms of tertiary stage intervention, the Indigenous Family Violence Offender Program (Family Violence Program) is important. The FVP aims to re-educate and shift attitudes in relation to women. It is particularly effective when people have self-referred and is inappropriate for serious matters. Participation in the program needs to be encouraged at the first sign of offending (p. 15). ‘Practitioners need to proceed with an awareness of how entrenched the ideas of control by violence are for many Aboriginal men’ (p. 16).
Bolger, Audrey, Aboriginal women: A report for the Criminology Research Council and the Northern Territory Commissioner of Police (ANU, North Australian Research Unit, 1991).
The research underlying this ground breaking report was carried out in the Northern Territory in 1989-1990. Data were collected in a variety of ways, the major ways being informal talks with Aboriginal women individually or in small groups, meetings of women's organisations, or by observation of events in communities. Aboriginal men in communities who were willing to discuss the issues were also approached both as individuals and as members of Aboriginal organisations. See especially p50: ‘As in other societies around the world there was still, in the final analysis, a culture of male dominance. However, it seems clear that the combination of inaccurate anthropological representations of Aboriginal women and the experience of colonisation have worked against them so that their status has deteriorated. Their situation today is affected by issues of race and gender, which intersect to influence negatively their position both within Australian society at large and within their own culture. One result of this is that they are now subject to violence from their own men of a kind which would not have been countenanced within traditional society. There are now three kinds of violence in Aboriginal society “alcoholic violence, traditional violence and bullshit traditional violence.” Women are victims of all three. By bullshit traditional violence is meant the sort of assault on women which takes place today for illegitimate reasons, often by drunken men which they then attempt to justify as a traditional right’.
Carlson, B., Day, M., and Farrelly, T. (2024) What works? A qualitative exploration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing programs that respond to family violence (Research report 02/2024) ANROWS.
In reporting back their findings, the researchers emphasised that responding to family violence is anti-colonial work that seeks to dismantle the racist systems and structures introduced by colonisation which disrupts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relationships and perpetuates intergenerational trauma.
Key themes were identified in response to the question of “what works” including:
•
shared understanding of trauma, healing and holistic approaches. For participants, trauma-aware, healing-informed holistic approaches included:
1.
understanding trauma in the context of family and the community
2.
understanding the impacts of colonisation and intergenerational trauma
3.
understanding people as more than just people who use violence or people who experience violence
4.
delivering programs in safe and familiar places
5.
working in strengths-based and healing-informed ways
6.
engaging thoughtfully with all parties, including the wider family and the community
7.
focusing on prevention and aiming to keep families together
•
strong networks, partnerships and collaboration that facilitate continuity of care as clients move across services and service providers
•
trust that enables successful engagement. This requires services and programs that meet community expectations, demonstrate credibility and ensure comfort.
Gallant, David et al ‘Aboriginal men's programs tackling family violence: A scoping review’ (2017) 20(2) Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues 48-68.
This study evaluates 11 studies of the effectiveness of interventions for Aboriginal men who commit domestic violence. A significant finding was that programs targeted at Aboriginal men must address multiple power constructs. Interventions should recognise that colonisation continues to have a significant impact on Aboriginal communities, but should not excuse the impact that men’s violence has on female victims (p 61).
Hennessy, Annette and Carolyn Willie, Sentencing Indigenous Offenders in Domestic and Family Violence Matters: A Queensland Experience. Paper presented at the ANZSOC 2006 Conference: Criminology and Human Rights, Hobart, 7-9 February 2006).
This Australian paper draws predominately on findings and observations from the Murri Court in Queensland to consider important factors that arise when sentencing indigenous offenders for domestic violence.Author Hennessey is a practicing magistrate and author Willie is a community development officer. The authors highlight the importance of ensuring that any rehabilitation aspect of sentencing is culturally appropriate and effective. They note an inequity in relation to the availability of appropriate programs for Indigenous people. Drawing on a small sample the authors explain that through the Murri Court, ( a specialist sentencing court) domestic violence offenders can be placed on a probation orders, requiring regular meetings with community Elders or a Community Justice Group, attending counselling through an Indigenous Healing Centre, attending counselling for substance abuse with an indigenous health organisation and other programs as may be appropriate to the offender’s situation (p 7). The authors argue that this approach reduced short term recidivism (p 8). The authors empahsise the need to consider culturally appropriate and effective counselling and treatment for offenders whilst, at the same time, ensuring they are suitably punished (p 10).
Kelly, Judith, ‘The intersection of Aboriginal customary law with the NT criminal justice system: the road not taken?’ Paper presented at the NTBA, Dili, Conference 10 July 2014 Dili.
In this presentation, a judge of the Northern Territory Supreme Court considers how traditional Aboriginal law and the law of the Northern Territory can co-exist. Domestic Violence is mentioned sporadically throughout the paper and it is concluded that despite whatever used to be the norm with regard to domestic violence, traditional law has reformed and violence in any respect is no longer appropriate. The authors state that Indigenous Australians traditionally did have a different approach to violence, punishment and discipline and state: ‘The practice of interpersonal violence as a form of punishment, the infliction of violent revenge, and the belief in the legitimacy of such practices, have continued through the second half of the twentieth century and beyond.’ (p7)
Langton, M. et al (2020), Improving family violence legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women (Research report) Sydney, ANROWS.
This report identifies priorities for reducing and preventing violence against, and improving services for, Aboriginal women in the Victorian and New South Wales towns of Mildura, Albury and Wodonga.
‘In our study, victims and service providers raised repeatedly the diversion of Aboriginal perpetrators of violence away from custodial sentences, while strategies for ensuring the safety of Aboriginal victims remain poorly resourced especially in relation to the lack of housing accommodation for victims to provide safety for them and their children.
The likelihood, however, that family violence approaches that deflate the responsibility of serial offenders, especially those who commit extreme acts of violence, might be diverted from criminal justice systems on the grounds of their status as victims of history requires some ethical and legal review. Our findings in relation to the extremity of Aboriginal family violence in this study, the demands for increased funding of safety measures for victims, and the increasing rates of assault and homicide involving Aboriginal victims (whether due to more reporting or increased prevalence) support our recommendation for further investigation of this problem.’ p 35
Marchetti, Elena, ‘An Australian Indigenous-Focussed Justice Response to Intimate Partner Violence: Offenders’ Perceptions of the Sentencing Process’ (2015) 55(1) British Journal of Criminology 86.
Abstract: ‘This article draws on research conducted over the past four years on the use of Indigenous sentencing courts in Australia for sentencing Indigenous offenders of intimate partner violence (IPV). It presents interview findings of offenders’ perceptions of justice of a sentencing process that involves the participation of Elders and Community Representatives, as moral and cultural guides. This study concludes that the vast majority of interview participants found an Indigenous sentencing court process is fairer than a mainstream sentencing court process despite the fact that it is more challenging and confronting facing Elders and Community Representatives when being sentenced for an IPV offence. Their respect for Elders and Community Representatives, and the respect afforded to Elders and Community Representatives by the mainstream criminal justice system created a forum that both ‘shamed’ and supported the offenders in ways that reflected cultural values and norms’ (p. 86).
Marchetti, Elena (2019) Indigenous Courts, Culture and Partner Violence. Palgrave.
Abstract: This book examines the use and impact of Australian Indigenous sentencing courts in response to Indigenous partner violence. In operation in Australia since 1999, these courts were first established by a magistrate in South Australia who sought to improve court communication and understanding, and trust in the criminal justice system for Indigenous people. Indigenous Courts, Culture and Partner Violence is the first book to consider how the transformation of a sentencing process into one that better reflects Indigenous cultural values can improve outcomes for both victims and offenders of Indigenous partner violence. It asks which aspects of the sentencing process are most important in influencing a change in attitude and behaviour of Indigenous offenders who repeatedly engage in abusive behaviour towards their partner, and what types of justice process better meets the relationship, rehabilitative and safety needs of Indigenous partner violence offenders and their victims? (see especially pp77-99: ‘The role of elder and community representatives and how it impacts on perceptions of justice’).
Marchetti, Elena and Kathleen Daly, ‘Indigenous Partner Violence, Indigenous Sentencing Courts, and Pathways to Desistance.’, Violence Against Women 23(12):1513-1535, doi: 10.1177/1077801216662341.
Indigenous sentencing courts exist ‘to create a more meaningful sentencing process that has a deeper impact on Indigenous offenders’ attitudes and, ultimately, their behaviour. Drawing from interviews with 30 Indigenous offenders, [this paper explores] the ways in which the courts can motivate Indigenous partner violence offenders on pathways to desistence’ (p.1).
The study shows that it is not impossible to change offending behaviours. Marchetti and Daly write, ‘[u]sing culture as a “hook for change” (Giordano, Cernkovich, & Rudolph, 2002), Indigenous perpetrators of partner violence, with a readiness to change, can find the support and motivation to desist from further offending in towns that have Indigenous sentencing courts. By “using culture” as a hook for change, we mean a rekindling of Indigenous values, and of being reminded of one’s cultural heritage and identity, which requires respecting not only one’s Elders, but also family, kin, and partners. When we probe with care into patterns of offending after an Indigenous sentencing process, we are able to re-define “success” by including those who are on pathways to desistance’ (pp.16-17). They also note that the process of change is not ‘linear and immediate, but zigzag and lengthy’ (p.17).
Nancarrow, Heather ‘In search of justice for domestic and family violence: Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian women’s perspectives’ (2006) 10:1 Theoretical Criminology 87-106.
In this Australian research, the attitude of women towards responses to domestic violence is examined. The author interviewed 10 Indigenous women and ten non-Indigenous women (the Indigenous women in the sample were drawn from various urban and remote locations which were spread over a distance of almost 2000 kilometres and included two indigenous communities). None of the Indigenous women interviewed preferred the criminal justice system as a response to domestic and family violence (p 95). However Indigenous women did say criminal law needed to be applied in cases of homicide, serious assaults and sexual abuse of children - as these types of cases were too ‘big’ (sensitive) for communities to handle on their own. The majority of Indigenous women interviewed preferred restorative justice. Indigenous critique of criminal justice system (p 97): irrelevant (symbolically), it often escalated rather than ended violence and its interventions continued to separate families.
Olsen, Anna and Ray Lovett, Existing knowledge, practice and responses to violence against women in Australian Indigenous communities: Key findings and future directions (ANROWS, 2016).
This resource provides a brief summary of published literature on Indigenous women and violence. It is based on Existing knowledge, practice and responses to violence against women in Australian Indigenous communities: State of knowledge paper. This literature review found that “the cumulative nature of socio-economic disadvantage (such as personal, family and economic related stressors) and the lasting effects of colonisation are thought to be linked to violence against women in Indigenous communities. Any attempts to reduce violence in Indigenous communities requires a multi-faceted and holistic approach including efforts to improve the wider social, economic and health of Indigenous communities”.
Pascoe Gaymarani, George, ‘Yolngu Ngarra Law customary law painting presentation’ (2011) 4 Balance: Journal of the Northern Territory Law Society 26.
In this presentation the author (a traditional Owner for Milingiimbi, Gamurr-Guyurra, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory of Australia; leading Yolngu customary law identity and Ngarra Elder) attempts to describe the Ngarra law of Arnhem Land in order to provide access to the law for interested people, especially “white” (Balanda) lawyers. The law described is that of the Yolngu people (who speak the Yolngu matha languages). The author notes: ‘domestic violence is not permitted. Domestic violence is no longer appropriate. Ngarra law has no place for domestic violence. In the past, husbands did hit their wives sometimes – this happened in both Balanda and Yolgnu society. The law – both Balanda law and Yolgnu law – allowed it to happen. Not anymore! We do not have to be ashamed of what happened in the past, but we all need to work together now as a nation.’ (p28)
‘‘Pay back’ is another thing that has changed over time. When ‘pay back’ happened in the past, it involved physical punishment, just like in the Old Testament: ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’. These days ‘pay back’ is more like a mutual obligation: when you look after my children when they visit you, I have to ‘pay back’ by looking after your children when they visit me. When people break the Ngarra law these days they can be punished by other means, including compensation of discipline training camps in the bush (Gunapipi).When there has been a really serious breach of law, say murder or rape, the Balanda system can take care of it. The Ngarra law can work together with the Balanda law’(p28).
Purdie Nola, Pat Dudgeon and Roz Walker, eds. Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander mental health and Well-being Principles and Practice, 2nd edition (2014, Telethon Kids).
This book includes chapters on a wide range of issues associated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander mental health. The editors identify that the purpose of the book is to provide an appropriate resource for a range of health professionals who work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, counsellors, and other staff of Indigenous health services. Chapter 1 ’Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health: An Overview’ by Robert Parker provides a good summary of relevant issues, see especially from p5-7. See also chapter 10 ‘Trauma, Transgenerational Transfer and Effects on Community Well-being’ by Judy Atkinson et al.
Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) (2022) First Nations Women’s Safety Policy Forum Outcomes Report, Australian Human Rights Commission.
The Wiyi Yani U Thangani First Nations Women's Safety Policy Forum (the Forum) was held virtually on 12 September 2022. It brought over 150 participants together including First Nations community members, practitioners, researchers, specialist experts and government participants to consider how to address the root causes and drivers of violence, as the government prepares to deliver on its commitment to develop a standalone National Plan to End Violence against First Nations Women and Children.
The report recognizes a number of intersecting factors that increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s vulnerability to violence. For example there is evidence that 70-90% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in prison have experienced violence, almost 90% of Aboriginal children in out of home care are there because of family violence and First Nations children are imprisoned at 26 times the rate of non-Aboriginal children (p.13). 49% of Indigenous Australians are employed (cf 75% of other Australian) and 30% of First Nations women care for someone in need (p14).
Research highlights the impacts of colonisation and trauma in a historical sense, as an ongoing intergenerational process, and as perpetuating and causing contemporary issues and cycles of harm. Dispossession of land, separation of families and communities, ongoing marginalisation from racism and discrimination and in particular the forcible removal of children, are historic traumas and continue through current structures. They are deeply linked with the experiences of family violence, serving both as a cause and effect of intergenerational trauma and violent behaviours. (p26)
Policing and the criminal justice system are part of the problem in First Nations family violence matters. Specifically, family violence can be perpetuated by poor and discriminatory system responses to First Nations people experiencing family violence, for example by police, child protection agencies and mainstream services. (p30)