Positive Ways: An Indigenous sayPositive Ways: An Indigenous sayConference 2006Conference 2006

When is “support”, support?When is “support”, support?Aboriginal victims of crime and Aboriginal victims of crime and

the pursuit of equitable outcomes in the pursuit of equitable outcomes in Western Australia.Western Australia.

Victoria Elizabeth HovaneVictoria Elizabeth Hovane

Victim Support & Child Witness ServicesVictim Support & Child Witness Services

Perth, Western Australia.Perth, Western Australia.

Background: Victim Support & Child Background: Victim Support & Child Witness Services (WA)Witness Services (WA)

Key agency;Key agency; Leader; Leader; Ongoing development;Ongoing development; Commitment to victims needs;Commitment to victims needs; Aboriginal Victims of Crime;Aboriginal Victims of Crime; Commitment to substantive equality:Commitment to substantive equality:

- Service level;- Service level;

- Agency level. - Agency level.

Aboriginal Victims of Crime in WAAboriginal Victims of Crime in WA

3.5% of WA population;3.5% of WA population;

22.2% of victims;22.2% of victims;

Risk of violent victimisation = x 8 times;Risk of violent victimisation = x 8 times;

Aboriginal women = 72.6% v 45% of NA victims.Aboriginal women = 72.6% v 45% of NA victims.

EqualityEquality

Two types:Two types:

FormalFormal

SubstantiveSubstantive

Equitable OutcomesEquitable Outcomes

If you want to treat me equally, If you want to treat me equally,

you may have to treat me differently.you may have to treat me differently.

Needs of Aboriginal Victims: Needs of Aboriginal Victims: Key themesKey themes

Support – Quality v QuantitySupport – Quality v Quantity

RacismRacism

Access [Location / Safety / Appropriate]Access [Location / Safety / Appropriate] “ “Windows of opportunities”Windows of opportunities”

InformationInformation

Communication / LanguageCommunication / Language

Needs of Aboriginal Victims: Needs of Aboriginal Victims: Key themesKey themes

Basic needsBasic needs

ChildrenChildren

Family-focused servicesFamily-focused services

Through-care:Through-care:

New identities, roles & practisesNew identities, roles & practises

Needs of Aboriginal Victims: Needs of Aboriginal Victims: Key themesKey themes

Self-esteem/self-confidenceSelf-esteem/self-confidence

Shame and blameShame and blame

Best Practise PrinciplesBest Practise Principles

Client-centred servicesClient-centred services

Safety of victimsSafety of victims

Services to be accessible & relevantServices to be accessible & relevant

ImplicationsImplications

Beyond the four wallsBeyond the four walls

Beyond current concepts of “work practise”Beyond current concepts of “work practise”

Challenges for Aboriginal peopleChallenges for Aboriginal people

Learning about the systemLearning about the system

Definitions: Culturally appropriate? Cultural Definitions: Culturally appropriate? Cultural

security, etc?security, etc?

Influencing changeInfluencing change

Benefits & Risks? Benefits & Risks?

The way forwardThe way forward

Core businessCore business

Ongoing dialogueOngoing dialogue

ResourcingResourcing