RESEARCH REPORT Kungas’ trauma experiences and effects on behaviour in Central Australia
This report provides an opportunity for Aboriginal women who are clients of the Kunga Stopping Violence Program (KSVP) in the Alice Springs Correctional Centre to contribute to a deeper understanding of the life events that led to their incarceration.
The research explored the lives of 12 Aboriginal women who were clients of the KSVP, and were incarcerated for alleged violent offences in Central Australia. Analysis of their life stories leading up to their incarceration demonstrates the critical need for services that can effectively respond to the trauma of women’s lives and prevent future incarceration.
Further, the research also:
- applied a trauma lens to the life stories of Aboriginal women in Central Australia who have been incarcerated
- identified the interventions, services and supports that can divert women into programs to prevent incarceration
- highlighted the need for a coordinated service response
- identified service reforms required to meet the needs of Aboriginal women experiencing complex trauma.
The methodology used for this research privileges the voices of Aboriginal women. Dadirri—described as a deep listening process, of being fully present and aware—was used by the researchers in order to give the women greater control over what and how much detail they presented.
The report includes recommendations for policy and practice.
Publication details
This work is part of the ANROWS Research reports series. ANROWS Research reports (Horizons) are in-depth reports on empirical research produced under ANROWS’s research program.
Author
MIRIAM BEVIS
Kunga Stopping Violence Program Manager (NAAJA)
EMERITUS PROFESSOR JUDY ATKINSON
Patron/Elder Advisor (We Al-li)
DR LEISA McCARTHY
Research Development Coordinator, Menzies School of Health Research
DR MICHELLE SWEET
Senior Project Officer, Menzies School of Health Research
ISBN: 978-1-925925-25-8 (print) | 978-1-925925-26-5 (online)
75 pp.
Suggested citation
Bevis, M., Atkinson, J., McCarthy, L., & Sweet, M. (2020). Kungas’ trauma experiences and effects on behaviour in Central Australia (Research report, 03/2020). Sydney, NSW: ANROWS