2021
| Author | Carlson, Bronwyn; Day, Madi; Farrelly, Terri |
|---|---|
| Date | June, 2021 |
| Source/Publisher | Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety Limited (ANROWS) |
| Download | Download Full Text |
| Link(s) | https://www.anrows.org.au/publication/what-works-exploring-the-literature-on-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-healing-programs-that-respond-to-family-violence/ |
| Subjects | Family violence |
The unique experience of family violence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people calls for culturally aware and community-led healing programs. This research report distils ‘what works’ to support and heal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have experienced a legacy of unresolved trauma and the normalisation of social dysfunction. It contextualises the multi-layered social and behavioural issues within the historical context of colonisation and intergenerational trauma.
The report explores how mainstream initiatives have often failed to recognise the nuance required in designing and evaluating community-led and culturally appropriate healing programs. There needs to be greater awareness of the significance of outcomes that are not easily translated into measurable indicators of success, for example, spiritual healing and cultural and familial connectedness. Some mainstream family violence approaches may be effective if they are implemented in consultation and partnership with Indigenous organisations.
The report details examples of community healing programs, restoration of family cohesion initiatives and processes that aim to heal both victim/survivor and perpetrator. Despite being able to identify the factors that are needed to provide effective healing for communities, the lack of financial resourcing to conduct formal monitoring and evaluations makes it difficult to empirically demonstrate the efficacy of such programs. The report includes frameworks and principles developed by indigenous communities. These frameworks should be used in program design to ensure initiatives achieve outcomes sought by indigenous people.
Ultimately, healing programs must be culturally appropriate, well-resourced, and community-led to respond to the collective need for effective healing. Future research is needed to understand how healing programs will be able to respond to the experiences and needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQA+ and intersex peoples, those with disability and the efficacy of these programs in a non-contact environment.
https://www.anrows.org.au/?s=what+works&post_type=&digital_library_category=KEYWORD&search-anrows=1&action=search respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future, and we value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and knowledge. We are committed to standing and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, honouring the truths set out in the Warawarni-gu Guma Statement.
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