NCJ Number
198211
Date Published
2002
Length
85 pages
Annotation
This reference guide provides information on the various religions represented in Australia to enable police to provide culturally appropriate services to all Australians.
Abstract
This resource guide was written by police and religious leaders together to provide basic awareness and understanding to police and emergency service workers about the various religions represented in Australia, and is not to be used as a definitive response to every situation. The religions described here are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Spirituality, the Baha'i faith, the Buddhist faith, the Christian faith, the Hindu faith, the Islamic faith, the Jewish faith, and the Sikh faith. Each section includes an overview of the history of each faith. For Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, pre-and post-colonization indigenous festivals, important worship times and related issues, protocols to be observed in handling of the deceased, and attitudes toward autopsies being performed are discussed. Additional areas of focus, for all religions, include gender roles and family, physical contact and other sensitivities, religious practices and policing, including the taking of oath in a court of law, and titles of spiritual leaders.