An exploration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing programs that respond to domestic and family violence and sexual assault

In reporting back their findings, the researchers emphasised that responding to family violence is anti-colonial work that seeks to dismantle the racist systems and structures introduced by colonisation which disrupts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relationships and perpetuates intergenerational trauma.

Key themes were identified in response to the question of “what works” including:

• shared understanding of trauma, healing and holistic approaches. For participants, trauma-aware, healing-informed holistic approaches included:
  • • understanding trauma in the context of the family and the community
    • understanding the impacts of colonisation and intergenerational trauma
    • understanding people as more than just people who use violence or people who experience violence
    • delivering programs in safe and familiar places
    • working in strengths-based and healing-informed ways
    • engaging thoughtfully with all parties, including the wider family and the community
    • focusing on prevention and aiming to keep families together
• strong networks, partnerships and collaboration that facilitate continuity of care as clients move across services and service providers
• trust that enables successful engagement. This requires services and programs that meet community expectations, demonstrate credibility and ensure comfort.

Participants strongly asserted that healing programs are effective in responding to domestic and family violence, but expressed disappointment and frustration that community-led initiatives were not adequately funded and the voices of community members and people with lived and local experience were not heard when decisions about resource allocation were made. As a result, the project generated key recommendations, including:

• Investment in existing healing programs, new healing programs and the establishment of auspicing relationships between mainstream organisations and community-controlled healing programs is urgently required. Funding should be long term; include diversion and prevention focuses; and meet the needs of diverse community members, including LGBTQIASB+ people and people with disabilities. Secure and sustainable funding supports flexible and responsive service delivery that meets community needs and supports worker wellbeing. New healing programs should include diversionary and non-carceral opportunities and should be equipped with the capacity and resources to enhance safety and respond to risk.
• Programs should be conceived and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This anti-colonial work needs to tackle systemic racism and build relationships across mainstream and specialist services.
• Professional qualifications and standards need to be designed to recognise the value of lived expertise and community connection. A lack of tertiary education and the presence of criminal records can create insurmountable barriers for people who otherwise may be best placed to engage meaningfully with clients with similar backgrounds. Emphasis should also be placed on upskilling workers to deliver trauma-aware and healing-informed practices, respond to the needs of LGBTQIASB+ people and people with disability, and use technology to facilitate contact when face-to-face work is not possible.