NCJ Number
207421
Date Published
September 2004
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This paper provides an overview of the key issues and findings from recent reports and research into family violence and sexual assault in native communities in Australia.
Abstract
In many indigenous or native communities, family violence and sexual assault are reported to be at crisis levels. This paper provides an overview of research studies and reports on key issues and findings in the area of family violence and sexual assault in indigenous communities in Australia. It draws on this literature review to outline these key issues that have consistently been identified as critical to consider when addressing indigenous family violence. The intent is for this paper to be a tool in providing an overview of the issues currently driving social and political agendas. The paper recognizes some of the tensions that exist between non-indigenous approaches to understanding and responding to violence, and those of indigenous women and communities. The paper begins by highlighting what remains of a dire situation posed by family violence on indigenous communities and the increasing demand that flows to a handful of workers who are resourced specifically to respond to its incidence and effects. The paper details the views of three indigenous service-providers and one non-indigenous service provider working in the area of sexual assault. The paper presents unique insights offered by women working at the heart of abuse in indigenous communities.