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News

For general news relating to domestic and family violence, see our What’s New page.

For news from the Indigenous viewpoint:

See the National Indigenous Times, the only weekly national newspaper that focuses specifically on Indigenous issues.

See the Koori Mail for a fortnightly update on national news, employment and events happening in Indigenous Australia.

See SNAICC News for news affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families.

See the Indigenous Justice Clearinghousefor news on justice information for government policy makers and those working in the Indigenous justice field.

 

Grants, scholarships, awards and funding

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Research Grants

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) funds research in a wide range of areas.  Special emphasis is given to projects dealing with relations with government, knowledge about and caring for country, and economic sustainability. 

http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/research/grants/grants.html

 

Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year Award and Indigenous Law Student of the Year Award

The Commonwealth Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, has announced the 2011 winners of the Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year and the Indigenous Law Student of the Year. Information on nomination procedures made be found here.

http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2011/Thirdquarter/2011IndigenousLegalProfessionaloftheYearand2011IndigenousLawStudentoftheYear.aspx

 

Commonwealth Scholarships Program

The Commonwealth Scholarships Program now targets only new Indigenous students. In 2012 the values of the scholarships are: Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (ICECS) $2,377; Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (ICAS) $4,754; Indigenous Access Scholarship (IAS) $4,485. More information may be found below.

http://www.deewr.gov.au/highereducation/programs/studentsupport/commonwealthscholarships/Pages/Home.aspx#indigenous

 

New book, report and papers

For the most recent books, reports and papers, search our

Cripps, K 2010, Indigenous family violence: pathways forward in Working together : Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice, eds. N. Purdie, P. Dudgeon and R. Walker, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra

This chapter is part of a book designed for practitioners and mental health professionals working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to support their mental health and wellbeing. The chapter focuses specifically on how family violence is defined and contextualised by Indigenous people. This includes a discussion of disclosure and recommendations for appropriate interventions.

http://aboriginal.childhealthresearch.org.au/kulunga-research-network/working-together/working-together-chapters.aspx

Hovane, V & Cox, D 2011, Closing the gap on family violence : driving prevention and intervention through health policy, Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse, Issues paper, no. 21

Family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities remains a significant social issue with far-reaching implications for service provision in the health arena, with impacts including: physical injuries; depression, trauma and anxiety; sexually transmitted disease; and substance use. Despite these significant health consequences, family violence has generally not been prioritised in health policy or responses. Instead, policing, legal/judicial and women’s policy approaches have become the key responses to addressing family violence in Australia, as in many western countries. Given that the health system often deals directly with the consequences of family violence, it is ideally placed to play an important role in preventing and responding to family violence. The paper examines the potential for health policies, like the Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes strategy, to better engage with the issue of family violence and, thereby, address a major contributor to poor health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/IssuesPaper_21.pdf

Laming, C, Crinall, K, Hurley, J et al 2011, The Gippsland CommUNITY Walk Against Family Violence : evaluation report, Monash University, Churchill, VIC

This report presents an evaluation of an Aboriginal community initiative in East Gippsland designed to address family violence through changing community attitudes, celebrating culture, strengthening communities, increasing partnership, and demonstrating an attitude of 'no tolerance'.

http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/~/media/ResourceCentre/PublicationsandResources/PVAW/Community_Walk_Evaluation_Report.ashx

Rawsthorne, M, Chivell, A & Smith, A 2010, Aboriginal women against violence project : evaluation report, University of Sydney, Sydney

The overall aims of the Aboriginal Women Against Violence Project were ‘to address family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Liverpool and Campbelltown in NSW. The project identified two specific strategies to achieve this general aim: 1) to train local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to become trainers, mentors and advocates in their own communities and 2) to establish an Aboriginal Women Against Violence Committee. This report summarises the evaluation of this project and identifies broader lessons that arose from the project in relation to addressing violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/6267

Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care 2010, Working and walking together : supporting family relationship services to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and organisations, SNAICC, Fitzroy, VIC

This guide is designed to support non-Indigenous family relationship services to work in culturally appropriate ways with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and their communities. It features background information, helpful tips and principles for working with Indigenous families and organisations, as well as case studies and a list of useful resources.

http://www.snaicc.asn.au/_uploads/rsfil/02497.pdf

Willis, M 2011, Non-disclosure of violence in Australian Indigenous communities, Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice series, no. 405, Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra

This research paper seeks to explain the reasons for the under-reporting of violence within Indigenous communities in Australia. n Indigenous communities reasons for non-disclosure include: negative repercussions and consequences; fear and distrust of the justice system and other government agencies; cultural coercion and community beliefs regarding the criminality of some acts of violence and lack of access to or awareness of available services. The authors make recommendations to promote and support disclosure and provide a full list of Australian references.

http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/9/1/2/%7B912F0370-E989-4041-8867-A18BB33A4089%7Dtandi405.pdf

 

New resources

 

Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse publications

The Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse is a national resource on Indigenous justice whose aim is to promote discussion and disseminate relevant Indigenous justice information to government policy makers and those working in the Indigenous justice field.

 

Closing the Gap Clearinghouse newsletters and publications

The Closing the Gap Clearinghouse provides access to a collection of quality information on what works to overcome Indigenous disadvantage.

 

SNAICC newsletters, publications and resources

The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care website provides quarterly newsletters, key policy papers and reports, and resource publications which are available for download.

Indigenous family violence (including child protection) website

The Australian Indigenous Health Info Net has launched an Indigenous family violence website, providing a 'one-stop info-shop' for people working, studying or interested in addressing family violence among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/related-issues/family-violence

 

‘Hey Dad! For Indigenous dads, uncles and pops’, Indigenous Parenting Program

This program is funded through the Family and Relationships Services Program and administered by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCHSIA). The aim of the program is to build individual and community skills and is designed to be delivered by Indigenous men in their own communities, in language and content that is culturally appropriate.  ‘Hey Dad’ links with other family relationships programs and is an evidence-based parenting program. Details at:
http://www.aifs.gov.au/afrc/pubs/newsletter/n12pdf/n12e.pdf

 

New journal articles

AUSTRALIAN SOCIAL WORK 2011, Vol 64, No. 1

Nickson, A, Dunstan, J, Esperanza, D & Barker, S 2011, ‘Indigenous practice approaches to women, violence, and healing using community development: a partnership between Indigenous and non Indigenous workers’, pp. 84-95

 

INDIGENOUS LAW BULLETIN, 2011, Vol. 7, No. 22

Alford, A & Croucher, R 2011, ‘The ALRC and Indigenous people—continuing the conversation’, pp. 18-22

 

INDIGENOUS LAW BULLETIN, 2011, Vol. 7, No. 23

Heath, M, Deakin-Greenwood, T, Robinson, C et al 2011, ‘Aboriginal women speaking out about violence: is anyone listening? Reflections of Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre’, pp. 26-30

 

PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LAW, 2011, 04 March 2011 (iFirst)

Day, A, Jones, R, Nakata, M et al 2011, ‘Indigenous family violence: an attempt to understand the problems and inform appropriate and effective responses to criminal justice system intervention’

For additional articles, see the tables of contents of the following journals. Contact the Clearinghouse for help obtaining articles.

• Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal
• Australian Aboriginal Studies
• Australian Indigenous Health Bulletin
• Australian Indigenous Law Review
• International Journal of Critical Indigenous Studies
• Indigenous Law Bulletin
• Indigenous Law Journal
• Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues

 

 

Links

 

health

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) Peak body for Aboriginal health in NSW

The Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) maintains a list of all Aboriginal Medical Services in Australia

HealthInfoNet provides comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge and information accessible to people interested in the health of Indigenous Australians.

 

legal/justice

Family violence prevention legal services assist Indigenous adults and children who are victims of family violence, including sexual abuse, or who are at immediate risk of such violence.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Legal Services

The Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse promotes discussion and disseminates relevant Indigenous justice information to government policy makers and those working in the Indigenous justice field.

The Indigenous Law Centre is based at the University of NSW and develops and co-ordinates research, teaching and dissemination of information in the multi-disciplinary area of Indigenous peoples and the law. The three core activities of the Centre are publication of the Indigenous Law Bulletin, the Australian Indigenous Law Reporter and the undertaking of community education projects.

 

research

The National Centre for Indigenous Studies, established at the Australian National University in 2005, aims to deepen Australia's understanding of Indigenous cultures and histories.

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies has a range of resources about the cultures and lifestyles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including community-based research, films, photographs, video and audio recordings and printed and other resource materials for Indigenous studies.

The Aboriginal Studies WWW Virtual Library contains information and resources about Indigenous Australians.

Jumbunna: Indigenous house of learning, University of Technology Sydney
Areas of study: Indigenous human rights, international law, public law, criminal justice.

Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, Australian National University
Areas of study: Indigenous economic and social circumstances, development options for sustainable Indigenous futures, education, governance and capacity development.

Closing the Gap Clearinghouse

The Clearinghouse provides access to a collection of quality information on what works to overcome Indigenous disadvantage. This will provide policy makers and program managers with an evidence base for achieving the Closing the Gap targets and related Indigenous reforms. Indigenous Australians will benefit through the delivery of policies and services which address Indigenous disadvantage more effectively.

 

policy

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is the Commonwealth department with responsibility for Indigenous affairs.

The Commonwealth Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination (OIPC) is the primary source of advice on Indigenous issues to the Minister and the coordination point for a whole-of-government approach to the delivery of programs and services for Australia’s Indigenous people.

 

advocacy

Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission is an independent statutory organisation that works to protect and promote the human rights of all people in Australia.  The position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner was created in December 1992.

The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national non government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families