Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Forum

1
Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Forum

• Windmill Reception Centre
• North Mackay
• May 2nd and 3rd 2006

2
What we know already

• The experience of colonisation use it as a
  springboard for healing, reconciling with the
  past
• give men who use abusive behaviour against those
  closest to them, the opportunity to tell their
  stories and mark their journeys with art, or song
  or trips back to country.

3
What we know already

• have great faith in this healing and in these
  processes.
• look to the long haul and do so one day at a
  time, so as to be less overwhelmed.
• make small changes significant in our minds, so
  as to report them for what they are.

4
What we know already

• base reviews and evaluations as much on how
  programs are introduced as on outcomes in the
  lives of the community.
• bring together the issues and deal with them,
  each one as part of the whole.

5
Challenges

• Take the time to prepare for the program with the
  community and other agencies
• Work to the advantage of those youd like to join
  you.
• Men who have used abusive behaviour work out
  ways for them to have the basics in their lives

6
Challenges

• Less need to be dependant on or abusive towards
  their partner
• Mentor men to help them see
• what they have to lose and what they have to gain
• The harm they are causing
• The destruction they are visiting on their culture

7
Challenges

• Respect culture but refuse to accept abusive
  practices, whatever their rationalisation
• Abuse kills culture
• Other mens stories help with the healing when
  they are told with honesty and without
  showmanship or pretence

8
Challenges

• The safety of women and children is the
  cornerstone of good practice
• Nothing is achieved and much is lost if this is
  not the priority
• Good solid work with men can be done with this as
  the cornerstone of good practice
• These things work together not against each other