Violence: An Indigenous Health Issue
Instructions: • Summarise key issue(s) in the media items collected (hyper link or attach PDF copies to assignment).
• Link media items to various models and approaches investigated and discussed in the unit modules and readings.
• Discuss how the material might affect the current debate and discussion on the issue.
• Discuss your position and views on the issue as it presented and explore other perspectives.
• The sources will need to be local, interstate and possibly international. Utilise a variety of sources in order to assess the breadth and depth of the issue. Using only one source may result is a biased account of the issue.
• Please note: material including cartoons, posters, health promotion YouTube clips, or academic journal articles and government publications are not media itemsunless they are discussed and cited as a media release or news item
You can format the assignment as follows (or close to):
1. Introduction
• Chosen topic and why it is an Indigenous health issue
• Background
2. The 4 media items – analysis
• Full reference and working link at beginning of each item
• Summary and analysis of key points in item
• How fits into unit overall and topics discussed or covered
• How media item contributes to the topic discussion or debate
• Personal reflection on the issue
3. Conclusion
4. Reference list (on separate page)
!!!!This are the ONLY 4 media links regarding Family/Domestic violence among Indigenous people in Australia to be analyse! Nothing else!
1. Online story http://www.australianstogether.org.au/stories/detail/frontier-violence
2. Short film story http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/people/domestic-and-family-violence#axzz48yA6NU3Y
3. Online news http://www.news.com.au/national/violence-against-aboriginal-women-80-times-worse/story-e6frfkp9-1226661209335
4. http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.cdu.edu.au/docview/1772628259?pq-origsite=summon
Solution.
Violence: An Indigenous Health Issue
Introduction
Different issues influence the promotion of health and the protection of the wellbeing of aboriginal people. As the government focuses on the improvement of health care, violence impacts the various social determinants of health significantly. According to Smith (2016), violence against aboriginal men and women affects their health and wellbeing directly and indirectly. While violence causes major health concerns, it also influences the ability of people to work effectively and efficiently, affects access to education, financial status and wellbeing, and influences social integration and interaction within the community negatively. McGlade (2013) argues that violence against aborigines remains adamant and influences the health of the communities greatly and inhibits their social and human development. The media plays an important role in outlining the concern of violence and its influence of aboriginal health. The dissemination of information concerning violence against aborigines and its influence on the promotion of health plays an important role in creating awareness. This essay analyses different media items to outline the influence and impact of violence as an aboriginal health issue.
Analysis of Media Items
Australians Together. (2016). Frontier Violence: Exposing the myth of Australia’s peaceful colonisation. Retrieved from Australians Together: http://www.australianstogether.org.au/stories/detail/frontier-violence
Key Issues Addressed in the Article
This article offers the history of Australia’s colonization and addresses the perception of peace during the process. It argues that the colonization of Australia was marked with rampant violence against Aborigines which goes against the 20th century teachings, which argued for peaceful settlement in the country. The argument for peaceful settlement discredits leads people into forgetting the Aboriginal resistance. The continued teachings that argue for the peaceful settlement regard the indigenous Australians as incapable of resisting. This article explores the myths about the peaceful colonization of Australia through the analysis of different perspectives. It discusses massacres and different aspects of indigenous resistance. The article cites indigenous historians and analysts who argue that initially the indigenous people were hospitable and generous but their attitudes towards colonialists changed with time. The change that caused conflict and the consequent violence stemmed from the rising concerns of sexual abuse, increasing competition for water and natural resources, denied access to Aboriginal foods, and dispossession of lands among others. Violent conflict and atrocities against the natives was rampant during colonization and often went unpunished. The article cites the Myall Creek Massacre that occurred on June 1838 where colonialists were hanged for the violence and murder of twenty-eight natives (most of whom were women and children) as one of the few cases of violence towards the indigenous people that were punished. Additionally, the abduction and the abuse of native Australians sexually, emotionally, and physically and the other forms of violence following retaliatory killings and the consideration of hunting of indigenous people as sport among others are articulately discussed in the article. Most importantly, the article discusses indigenous resistance through the analysis of the influence of different Aboriginal warriors and leaders.
Link to Models and Approaches
The article outlines critical issues that link directly with various models and approaches. It discusses of the historical, social, and political processes that the indigenous people of Australia experienced during the colonial era. The discussion of the concept of colonization of Australia and the historical, social, and political impacts outlines the violence, discrimination, murder, physical, psychological, and emotional abuse of Aboriginal people as key issues of concern. According to Smith (2016), the colonization of Australia had significant impacts on the health and wellbeing of Aborigines. The Australian Human Rights Commission (2007) argues that social health determinants such as financial stability and social interaction and integration are critical for the promotion of health in any society. However, this article pinpoints dispossession, the mistreatment and enslavement of Aborigines, and abuse as key concerns. Such concerns impacted on the indigenous health significantly, mostly affecting the people’s mental health, psychical, and emotional wellbeing. Smith (2016) asserts that the development of health policies that target the promotion of health and equality in access to social amenities after independence as an important measure towards the achievement of socio-economic and human development.
How the Article Affects Current Debate
The analysis of the article shifts the argument of colonization from the myths of peaceful colonization by presenting historical figures and facts of violence, abuse, and resistance (Australians Together, 2016). It shifts the perspective from the misleading arguments of the past concerning colonialism and the influence of colonialists on Aboriginal health. The discussion of the ills of colonization and the impacts on Aborigines changes the current debate on Aboriginal health, a sector the Government of Australia continues to invest in heavily. There is a need for the development and implementation of strategies that enhance Aboriginal health through quality improvement, enhancing access to care, and integrating Aboriginal culture in the provision of health.
Personal Reflection
The discussion of colonialism in Australia outlines the underlying concerns of Aboriginal health. The analysis of this article presents a different perspective from the commonly propagated perspective of peaceful colonization. In the analysis, I understood the social, historical, and political impacts of the process. The enslavement of Aborigines, sexual assault and harassment, dispossession, physical, emotional, and psychological abuse, hunting and murdering Aboriginal people for sport, and social injustice among other concerns are clearly outlined. Through the article acquired important knowledge the influence of colonization on Aboriginal health. The application of thee knowledge improves my understanding of the state of Aboriginal health and the current challenges the people face.
Kerin, L. (2016). Aboriginal woman puts violence against Indigenous women on international stage. The World Today Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Key Issues Addressed in the Media Item
Lindy Kerin outlines the issue of violence against Aboriginal women through an interview with Vicky Welgraven’s discussing the rate of violence against indigenous women in Australia. The article asserts that the rate of violence against the women remains high and a great issue of concern in the Australian society. Vicky describes the violence directed towards women as a horrific problem, which influences Aboriginal health significantly. According to this media item, indigenous women are more likely to require hospital treatment for injuries from domestic violence as compared to other women. Additionally, the item addresses the issue of physical violence and its higher prevalence among Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal women. Vicky Welgraven places emphasis on domestic violence and its impact on Aboriginal families (Kerin, 2016).
Link to Models and Approaches
The rate of violence remains higher among the indigenous people as compared to the other populations. According to the media article, the rate is higher among indigenous women. Korff (2016) asserts that domestic and physical violence in general influence the health and wellbeing of the Australian citizenry significantly. Therefore, outlining the issue as a national issue of concern is an important process towards the development of efficient and effective policies and measures for addressing it. The high rate of violence among the people translates to higher demand for health care. The communities’ health and wellbeing depends majorly on the ability of the government to provide quality and accessible health care. As News.com.au (2013) and Smith (2016), violence causes major health problems and requires keen attention. Further, the interview shows the critical issue of gender discrimination and disparity in healthcare, which affect women greatly.
Impact on Current Debate and Reflection
The discussion in the media item offers considerable insight on the issue of violence in the Australian community. Its focus on the indigenous communities outlines an even greater issue of concern. In highlighting the extent of violence and abuse of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, the article creates awareness on an issue that affects the indigenous communities directly and heavily. It has shaped the discussion of violence among the indigenous women and calls for the development and implementation of effective measures for alleviating the concern. Further, the article places the violence against indigenous women on the international platform triggering a global debate on the issue (Kerin, 2016).
As an Aboriginal woman, Vicky Welgraven gives a first-hand account of the violence directed towards women within the indigenous communities. I feel the depth of issue through the discussion, which outlines the dire statistics showing the significant impact of domestic and other forms of violence on women health within the indigenous communities. Through the analysis of the article, I understand the extent of the issue and its impact on indigenous health in general. I believe taking the issue onto the international platform triggers global debate and awareness and thus will play a critical role in the alleviation of violence against indigenous women. Therefore, I feel that the contribution of Vicky Welgraven (through the article) will be significant on the Aboriginal health.
Korff, J. (2016, June 16). Domestic and family violence. Retrieved from Creative Spirits: http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/people/domestic-and-family-violence#axzz48yA6NU3Y
Key Issues Addressed in the Article
Jens Korff addresses the critical concern of domestic and family violence mainly affecting Aboriginal women. According to the author, domestic and family violence is highly prevalent in Aboriginal homes where the women suffer such cases in a rate higher than 45 times as compared to other women. The issue remains adamant within the communities due to the existence of cultures and beliefs that allow the passage of violent patterns from parents to children. The article points out the police play a major role in contributing towards the development of the issue due to inefficiency in responding to domestic/family violence cases. According to Korff, while women suffer greatly, other groups within the communities experience the same ordeal.
News.com.au. (2013, June 10). Violence against Aboriginal women 80 times worse. Retrieved from news.com.au: http://www.news.com.au/national/violence-against-aboriginal-women-80-times-worse/story-e6frfkp9-1226661209335
Conclusion
Violence remains a significant issue of concern in Australia. Its influence
References
Australian Human Rights Commission. (2007). Social determinants and the health of Indigenous peoples in Australia – a human rights based approach. Retrieved from Australian Human Rights Commission: https://www.humanrights.gov.au/news/speeches/social-determinants-and-health-indigenous-peoples-australia-human-rights-based
Australians Together. (2016). Frontier Violence: Exposing the myth of Australia’s peaceful colonisation. Retrieved from Australians Together: http://www.australianstogether.org.au/stories/detail/frontier-violence
Kerin, L. (2016). Aboriginal woman puts violence against Indigenous women on international stage. The World Today Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Korff, J. (2016, June 16). Domestic and family violence. Retrieved from Creative Spirits: http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/people/domestic-and-family-violence#axzz48yA6NU3Y
McGlade, H. (2013). Our Greatest Challenge: Aboriginal Children and Human Rights. Sydney: Aboriginal Studies Press.
News.com.au. (2013, June 10). Violence against Aboriginal women 80 times worse. Retrieved from news.com.au: http://www.news.com.au/national/violence-against-aboriginal-women-80-times-worse/story-e6frfkp9-1226661209335
Smith, D. J. (2016). Australia’s rural, remote and Indigenous health : a social determinant perspective. Chatswood, N.S.W.: Elsevier Australia.
