Page 4084 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 22 October 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
On behalf of the ACT government, we are also sorry for the delay and silence over the past decade with regard to these reports. I recognise the significant distress, anger and frustration this inaction has caused the community. We would also like to commend and thank everyone who contributed to these reports: the brave families who shared their experience of family violence; the many reference group members who guided the development of the reports; and all the workshop participants who brought their extensive expertise. We don’t shoot our wounded provides an enormous contribution to our understanding of the complexities and drivers of family violence. Importantly, it shines a light on the aspirations of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the ACT.
There is much that has been learnt from these reports. We have heard that preventing, healing and recovering from family violence can only occur when the suffering, destruction and harm from colonisation and racism are both acknowledged and addressed. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims of violence are unanimous in wanting the violence to stop. Receiving the assistance for this is complicated.
Some personal barriers that prevent families from reporting violence and getting assistance include the profound responsibility and need to protect children, family and community. Combining this with shame and fear, plus the need for privacy and trust, only compounds the challenge of receiving help.
Distrust of the service system is another barrier that hinders help-seeking and receiving appropriate support. This distrust, understandably, arises from fear of child protection and court involvement, particularly as a result of previous experiences with child removal. Non-Indigenous men perpetrate violence and control over Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children in significant numbers. However, it is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men who are often demonised and blamed for the violence.
We also heard about experiences of discrimination, racism or ignorance, including not feeling heard by staff and agencies. We heard that not having the appropriate support options available made matters worse and left families feeling isolated. The reports also highlighted that the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims of family violence can be high, complex and involve multiple agencies. The recommendations suggest a way forward. The community needs a strategic, multi-layered and sustainable approach that is led by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the ACT.
We recommend that members of the Assembly and the broader ACT community take the time to read the We don’t shoot our wounded report. Its significance to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is immeasurable. Its value in guiding improvements across government and community services cannot be underestimated.
Members of the Assembly are aware of the co-design process undertaken in 2016 to develop the family safety hub. We gained important insights from listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and others with a lived experience of family violence. Their insights were consistent with, and reinforced, what has been learnt from the two reports.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video