Catholic Diocese of Broome

Office of Justice, Ecology and Peace

Aboriginal issues must not become political football again

By Br Shane Wood cfc, Co-ordinator

The Federal Government has moved to act in respect of the horrendous findings of the report into sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. There would be few who would not respond with outrage at the commission of such criminal acts and with compassion for the victims. The fact that this has been exposed is a necessary thing if the underlying problems in these communities are to be addressed.

The same issues are being raised and will probably continue to be raised in Kimberley communities, as the women and the children decide that they wish to be victims no longer. Loyalty to family and to some misconstruction of tribal law cannot be allowed to be placed at the head of the list of values to be maintained at all costs. A crime is a crime; some activities are objectively and patently wrong, even if not reflected in the law of the land. The instances of child abuse are thankfully both – objectively wrong and criminal actions punishable by the courts.

We know that these are symptoms of serious and underlying dysfunction in some of our Kimberley families and communities. We also know that not all Aboriginal men are perpetrators. However, allowing these things to happen, turning a blind eye to them happening, without speaking out is to be an accessory to these crimes. Thankfully, many men and women have had enough of the intimidation and oppression that often follows from these crimes. We also know that these crimes are part of the non-Aboriginal world as well. As a whole society we need to learn how to deal with this issue.

Given all of this that we know, what of the Federal Government’s intervention? What of the response of the State of Western Australia? It would seem that some aspects of the Federal Government’s intervention have been seen by many, including one of the author’s of the NT Report, as heavy-handed and lacking in sensitivity. We all know that something had to be done, but many feel that the way in which things are done is usually just as important as what is done; and if a good outcome is what is desired, then the cooperation of those most affected is crucial. Subsidiarity and co-responsibility would seem to be basic tenets of any managerial operation.

Given the historical experience of Aboriginal people with ‘white fellas’ in uniforms, marching in unannounced with army and police as the frontline response seems quite surprising. Resuming control of lands seems quite unnecessary and unconnected with the problem being addressed. The Western Australian Government seems much more restrained, but no less effective in its interventions so far. Let us hope that once the initial actions of removing perpetrators and protecting the innocent have taken place that other agencies can be appropriately resourced for the long-term counselling, skilling and pastoral care that will be required for those still living in these troubled and sometimes dysfunctional communities.

We know there is alcohol and drug abuse as partial contributors to the atmosphere that can allow such crimes to take place. We also know that people have to choose to place themselves under their influence. But we also know that it was we who brought the alcohol; we who took the children away; we who displaced these people from their land, their languages and their culture. We know that even though this happened many years ago, intergenerational wounds are still weeping and waiting to be healed. We now owe it to the current generation to put whatever it takes at the disposal of those who need our help most – the women and children, and the good men who want to help, but may not know how.