There is a growing body of research into violence in Indigenous communities, particularly family violence. Community and family violence problems are complex. Social, economic and environmental conditions such as unemployment, low income, housing overcrowding and alcohol and substance misuse can all contribute to violence.
The presence of family violence is a strong predictor of child abuse, and partner violence has a damaging effect on children’s emotional, behavioural and cognitive development.
KEY MESSAGES
Comparable data on the extent of family and community violence are not currently available. From the available data, Indigenous people are more likely than non-Indigenous people to be victims of domestic violence related assault.
The main reason both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people sought Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) assistance in 2005-06 was to escape domestic or family violence (31 per cent of Indigenous people and 21 per cent of non-Indigenous people) (figure 3.11.1).
In 2005-06, over 4000 Indigenous people and 15 000 non-Indigenous people who sought SAAP assistance to escape domestic or family violence had accompanying children (table 3A.11.3).
THINGS THAT WORK
Since 2001, the ‘Pathways to Prevention’ project in Queensland has assisted disadvantaged families and their young children, and empowered their families, schools and communities to provide supportive environments (box 3.11.2).
An early intervention project in SA, ‘Rekindling Indigenous Family Relationships in the Riverland Program’ is assisting the Aboriginal community to resolve family violence and child abuse issues (box 3.11.2).
In 2000, the NT Government launched the ‘Strong Families, Strong Communities, Strong Future’ project, currently being trialled with eight Indigenous communities in the Katherine region and Tiwi Islands (box 3.11.2).
Report Chapter 3: Headline Indicators
(PDF document)
Attachment 3A
(Excel document)
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