Catholic Diocese of Broome

The Federal Government intervention into Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory has attracted as much criticism as it has support from Indigenous leaders and other interested parties. However, all commentators would agree that there is a need for radical action in a significant number of remote settlements to curb practices of sexual abuse and to address the dysfunction that casts a dreadful pall over the lives of Aboriginal people in many of these locations.

In the Kimberley, recent investigations in Halls Creek and Kalumburu have given rise to a rapid departmental response by the State Government with law enforcement officers and child protection agency operatives actively working in the community in an effort to bring offenders to justice and to protect the victims. It is commendable that State and Federal authorities have exercised their authority to uphold law and order. It is also commendable that these same Governments are now working together, or at least promising to do so, in order that there is a coordinated and well informed approach to these behaviours that beset a wide ranging number of settlements and towns. It is worth noting that there are well informed opinions about the problems of child protection in Halls Creek that may well be prevalent elsewhere in Western Australia and other States of the Commonwealth. It would be useful if we could articulate the reasons for this sorry state of affairs with a view to developing a strategy for prevention. After the special police and child protection officers have gone our attention must also be directed to the healing of families – the families of victims and perpetrators whose relationships are in shreds. Such torn relationships only add to the dysfunction that is so readily visible.

In terms of understanding the reasons for these abuse issues it is helpful to have a look at points made at a Halls Creek public meeting with the Acting WA Premier, Mr Eric Ripper. There the community outlined priorities that they believed needed immediate government intervention.

The first was to do with overcrowding in public housing and they requested an immediate investment by the State in Halls Creek housing needs.
They called for adequate legal and health advice services and a greater investment in education.

There were concerns also expressed regarding employment opportunities and the urgency of useable recreational facilities for the town.
By way of summary it may be said that the three pivotal points of appalling housing, inadequate health and education services are paramount causes of the problems now openly in the public domain. These matters are tied in with unemployment, boredom, substance abuse and dysfunctional relationships.
Looking to the future, the community expressed needs for healing centres and a men and boys programme to address the ongoing challenges present in Halls Creek society. It was the considered opinion that – to put it succinctly – hurt people are more likely to hurt other people. In other words, the marginalization of Aboriginal men and their accompanying inability to be part of the society and economy they live in gives rise to inappropriate and reprehensible behaviour.
The first step of intervention is, in one sense, the easy one. Enacting arrests, gaoling, foster care, establishing safe havens, protection and health checks for children is the easier part in any effort to face the difficulties of the day. We also need to look for healing for families and promoting self esteem. Along with satisfying basic human rights to shelter, education, employment and health, this long term phase will be the most challenging as part of a strategic response.
The governments and the community at large must ask whether they are prepared to put in the hard miles of serious endeavour for as long as it takes.