Family violence among the indigenous families in Australia has been a major occurrence as part of their social culture. Violence has been considered as a private matter among residents of this community that is known to uphold its culture and traditional practices. This culture that considers marriage issues as private issues with no interference from the public or state has led to escalation of these violence cases among the indigenous communities (Cleak, et al. 23).
Cases of violence and mistreatment in the confine of a marriage institution is now widely acknowledged a prominent issue in the society even though it is difficult to fully address the issue as most women who are victims of the abuse rarely speak out when such incidences happen to them. A study conducted by the Women Society Survey and other international organization on feminism have carried out extensive studies on how woman have been treated in the society and their role with reference to prevailing indigenous cultures and practices in the society (Lloyd 110). This paper review seek to analyze cases of family violence among the indigenous families in Australia and the reasons as to why the cases prevail in to this day and age. The paper also seeks to assess the implications of these violent cases on the life of women and their families at large. Various policies that are currently being implemented to address these cases have also been addressed in this review. The paper them sums up with feasible recommendations and practical approaches that could be utilized in this society on curb the violence and promote sanity in the marriage institution.
The indigenous Australian community has been largely characterized by their conservative nature that has seen the communities preserve their old cultures, traditional practices and beliefs to this era. It is evident that most of the inhabitants have not been keen to embrace modernity and western culture that has become a global phenomena hence lagging behind in terms of enlightenment and positive insight shared by the global population (Dowling 1715). For this reason, their ability to effectively handle social challenges and conflict is largely compromised by their traditions and primitive perspective view of pertinent issues in the family or society as a whole. Women in this society rarely get to live to their full potential; in most instances, they are overly submissive and compile to whatever their male counterparts order them to do. They have been limited by the social rules, assigned gender roles and live to societal expectation. Cases of woman being overlooked by the society and denied many privileges and opportunities and responsibilities available in the society for the simple reason of the feminine gender has persisted for many generations since the days of their ancestors hence persistent cultural habit that has established roots in the society.
Causes of Domestic Violence
Some of the common and most pre-eminent causes of domestic violence that has affected most indigenous communities in Australia is their cultural beliefs and practices. Communities such as, the Aboriginal. Torres Strait and Islander people have been known to conserve most of their ancient days beliefs and practices of their fore fathers; and this has been effectively passed through from one generation to the other over the years. Bearing the fact that the communities are isolated and essentially disconnected from the rest of the world has made their cultures and practices persist on to this day and age. The greatest causalities of these beliefs and practices have always been women. Their men counterparts have also assumed superior role in the society as leaders and decision makers. They have develop a perception that woman have no position in the society other than taking care of their families and attending to house chores. With such perspective view cultivated in the young minds has made men to look down upon their women. This has fuelled cases of family violence and escalated it to another whole new level. When a woman tries to speak in front of her man or put across her opinion, it may be turned down for the reason that she has no mandate to make decisions of her own. Such perspective views have negatively affected marriages in these indigenous societies. Change is inevitable and women are slowly getting empowered and have a voice in the society; however, this is no going well with the native men in this societies resulting in increased violence and wife battering.
Another cause of family violence among the indigenous society is the aspect of ignorance. Most of the inhabitants have no gone to school and hence their ability to make logical decisions and conflict resolution is very low. In many case, they resolve to violence as a way to make their women ‘submissive’ and comply with their requests. Women on their part are ignorant f their rights and so cannot fight for their dually deserved freedom of expression. Most of them are enclosed on their closets and fail to come out in the public and express their pleas. These have essential caused such cases to persist.
Policies and Implications
As women, we have rights to do all that is within our jurisdiction. With the advent f technological advancement and in light of education, women have been empowered. Many have been since elevated to senior positions of leadership a responsibility they have perfectly executed even more than some of the male counterparts. Non-governmental organizations and gender movements groups have come together to fight for the rights of women all over the world (Lloyd 110).
Policies have been stipulated to safeguard the women from abusive men counterparts and this has gone a long way in promoting the livelihood of woman in the society. these rules have however not infiltrated into the indigenous societies in Australia given that they are more sidelined and isolated. Many woman groups and movements have since approached the government to help in enlightening the community and helping them get enlightened on how to live harmoniously in their marriages (Lloyd 110).
Conclusion
The most reliable and feasible way to deal with this case scenario has been to work with the women from these marginalized groups who have managed to get out of the social cocoon and into the corporate world. This will work to inspire many other hopeless girls who have been locked-up in their native homes and bound to the traditions of their communities. With effective awareness programs and working closely with community leaders and successful women from the same community will work to solve this social menace.
Work cited
Cleak, Helen, Margot Schofield, and Andrew Bickerdike. "Efficacy Of Family Mediation And
The Role Of Family Violence: Study Protocol." BMC Public Health 14.1 (2014): 1-23. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.
Dowling, N.A., et al. "Problem Gambling And Family Violence: Prevalence And Patterns In
Treatment-Seekers." Addictive Behaviors 39.12 (2014): 1713-1717. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.
Lloyd, Jane. "Violent And Tragic Events: The Nature Of Domestic Violence-Related Homicide
Cases In Central Australia." Australian Aboriginal Studies 2014.1 (2014): 99-110. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.
