Type:	Journal Article
Title:	No justice without healing: Australian Aboriginal people and family violence
Other Titles:	Australian Feminist Law Journal
Authors:	Young, Mandy Bairnsfather-Scott, Alison Cox, Dorinda
Keywords:	Legal issues;Interagency work;Criminal justice responses;Indigenous issues;Community attitudes
Year:	2009
Publisher:	Socio-Legal Research Centre, Griffith University
Citation:	30 (1), June 2009
Notes:	General Overview: :This Australian article argues that responses to family violence in Aboriginal communities should promote healing processes which recognise the impact of colonisation and the legacies of past injustice. The authors emphasise that Aboriginal culture must be valued and respected rather than being seen as part of the 'problem'. Discussion: :The article advocates a holistic approach to healing, drawing on the lessons of the Community Holistic Circle Healing program, developed by the Indigenous community in Hollow Waters, Manitoba, Canada. This program seeks to support the victim and hold the perpetrator accountable, while also allowing families to deal with the abuse together and communities to be involved in the justice process. Traditional healing practices are incorporated throughout the program. The authors discuss what would be required to effectively implement such a model in Australia and identify some of the limitations and barriers which might affect its operation. The final section of the article discusses how healing programs fit into current justice initiatives and the broader policy climate in Australia. The authors note the development of specialist domestic violence courts in many jurisdictions, as well as specific restorative justice processes in Aboriginal communities (for example, circle sentencing). They end with an analysis of the 2009 recommendations of the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, concluding that their implementation would significantly assist in the healing of intergenerational trauma among Aboriginal people.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/15955
ISSN:	1320-0968
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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