“We the Aboriginal males from Central Australia gathered at
Inteyerrkwe in May 2010 to Stop the Violence , a journey of family
violence prevention that began here in 2008 when we released the
historic Inteyerrkwe statement that read in part:
“We acknowledged and said sorry for the hurt, pain and suffering
caused by Aboriginal males to our wives, to our children, to our
mothers, to our grandmothers, to our granddaughters, to our
aunties, to our nieces and to our sisters”
As individuals and communities we are committed to zero tolerance
of all forms of violence including, physical, sexual, social, verbal,
emotional, economic, spiritual, cultural, child elder and lateral
violence. We once again acknowledge that we need the love and support of
our Aboriginal women to help us move forward to Stop the
Violence.”
Press release May 15 2010
Worla Nyintanti Atwerrentye Inji Statement
(Translated from Arrernte: Live Together- Stop The Violence)
Over 150 Aboriginal males* have been meeting at Inteyerrkwe, near Alice
Springs, to stop the violence in Central Australia.
This gathering follows from the meeting in 2008 where over 400 males
acknowledged and said sorry for the ‘hurt, pain, and suffering caused by
Aboriginal males to Aboriginal women and families.
During the workshop, the delegates were joined by over 20 stakeholders,
including Northern Territory police, to stop the violence in Aboriginal
communities.
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress male health service manager John Liddle
said many families in Aboriginal communities were in crisis due to the high levels
of violence.
“If we see something happening, we have to stop it,” Liddle said.
“We have to be man enough to step in, even it means challenging family
members.”
Liddle said over 500 Aboriginal men, of all ages, are incarcerated in the Alice
Springs correctional facility at one time, which represented a major drain on the
capacity of communities to function in a healthy manner.
“I don’t think Aboriginal males realise what it means to have 500 Aboriginal
males, mostly young males, disconnected from their family and culture. It makes
our communities so much weaker,” he said.
“We have young, energetic leaders locked up in jail, they are not participating in
their communities, they are not providing emotional and cultural support to their
families, which in turn makes the community weak. This is particularly relevant at
times of ceremony, and, sorry business, and it not only affects the person in jail,
but also their immediate and extended families.”
Delegates focused on isolating the various triggers of violence, and the many
forms of violence which can include; verbal, sexual, social, emotional, and
economic violence in the form of ‘humbugging’.
*For the purposes of this story, delegates agreed that the description ‘male’ was
more culturally appropriate than the use of ‘man’ or ‘men’ so as to avoid
confusion about ‘men’ as initiated males.
The group also recognised the importance of working in partnership with
Aboriginal women to ‘stop the violence’.
“We once again acknowledge that we need the love and support of our Aboriginal
women to help us move forward to ‘Stop the Violence,” delegates pledged.
The meeting made a series of recommendations to present to the Northern
Territory and Commonwealth Governments, which included a call for more
resources for male-specific services in central Australia to help prevent violence
before it happens, particularly as Aboriginal males were the main perpetrators of
violent assaults.
Mr Liddle said it was important that the voices of Aboriginal males were heard by
decision-makers in government.
“Our strategies and recommendations to Stop The Violence from this gathering
will not sit on a shelf gathering dust but will be driven, actioned pursued and
achieved by a committed group of positive Aboriginal males who have a vision of
a violent free family and community environment,” he said.
Contact Colin Cowell for images etc. 0401 331 251
John Liddle Interviews Direct line: 08 89514 436
Key recommendations
. 1. Networks of male support groups
Each Central Australian community and town camp needs a male
body/committee that meets regularly to support each other in making behavioural
changes. Community / town camp committees should have representation on a
Central Australian Men’s Committee ( Worla Nyintanti Atwerrentye Inti ) with the
body committee having representation on a NT AMSANT Men’s committee able
to lobby for support and changes at a Territory and Federal level
2. Establish male centres/safe house
Each community needs a centre with a funded co-ordinator that is gender
specific for ‘timeout’ to defuse a potentially violent situation and provides a safe
place for males when there is a threat of violence. The centre would also
incorporate courses for training in anger management.
3. Access to dedicated male health services
Males specific health services provided on site in each community. A
setting where males feel comfortable; where males can access male health
practitioners for check ups, undertake group and individual counselling sessions
and regular health education sessions.
4. Development of Male sheds
Each community needs a male shed with a funded co-ordinator. A male only
place where we can develop practical skills including car repair, woodwork,
welding, exercise and music. The shed will operate as a gateway to employment
and training
5. Develop a violence reduction training program
There is a need for a Central Australia specific curriculum to be developed to
provide training for males to equip them with the skills and knowledge to be able
to implement violence reduction strategies in their home communities, town
camps, and jails
6. Empowerment through employment
We need real jobs. When males are unemployed we are disempowered, bored,
angry and frustrated. This leads to substance misuse and violence. In a job we
are happier, healthier and better members of our communities and leaders of our
families. Put us to work so we can take personal responsibility for our lives.
7. Develop a “One Stop Shop” information network for all services
There is a need for males to have access to a simple face-to-face support and
referral service. An organisation needs to be supported to provide a male specific
resource and information centre to identify the most appropriate service.
Referrals may include:
- employment , relationship and anger counselling, primary health,
mental health, legal, advocacy, housing, alcohol and drug
treatment, jail visits and post-release programs, education and
training, and any Territory or Federal Government program.
Poor access to services contributes to an environment of violence.
8. Better relationships with the police
Males acknowledge that an increased police presence is crucial. However, too
often calls to police results in escalating violence because the person reporting
the incident is targeted by the perpetrators. We want to work closely with the
police to improve reporting of inappropriate behaviour so that reports are quickly
and discreetly responded to. Young violent offenders are not dealt with strongly
enough, and police need to work with the community to ensure peace.