Understanding First Nations Perspectives on Family Violence
By Jackie Wruck, Asia Pacific Regional Manager, Safe & Together Institute
First Nations communities view family violence through a lens that acknowledges intergenerational trauma, collective disempowerment, and the ongoing impacts of colonisation. Unlike mainstream approaches that focus primarily on individual pathology, Indigenous perspectives recognise violence as stemming from the disruption of cultural connections, spiritual practices, and traditional family structures. This understanding doesn’t excuse violence—it provides crucial context for assessment and intervention.
Cultural Considerations for Assessment
Effective assessments must recognise that First Nations people often experience mainstream services as culturally unsafe spaces. Consider these key factors:
Connection to Country and Culture: Assess how disconnection from traditional lands, languages, and practices may impact family functioning. Many communities report that broken relationships with Country directly correlate with increased family violence.
Collective vs. Individual Focus: Traditional Indigenous worldviews emphasise collective responsibility and interconnectedness. Assessments should consider extended family networks, community relationships, and cultural obligations rather than focusing solely on nuclear family dynamics.
Spiritual and Ceremonial Practices: Indigenous spiritual beliefs and ceremonial practices are integral to healing and well-being. Include questions about cultural participation and barriers to accessing traditional healing methods.
How Safe & Together Aligns with First Nations Worldviews
The Safe & Together Model’s strengths-based approach resonates strongly with Indigenous values. As one Aboriginal colleague noted: “Safe & Together is better for First Nations people because we don’t write our men off.” This alignment manifests in several ways:
Perpetrator Accountability Without Criminalisation: The Model provides accountability frameworks that don’t rely solely on carceral responses, acknowledging that over-policing and incarceration disproportionately affect First Nations men while often failing to increase safety.
Recognizing Protective Factors: Safe & Together’s comprehensive assessment of protective behaviours aligns with Indigenous concepts of extended family protection and community care networks.
Both/And Approach: The Model’s ability to hold multiple truths simultaneously—acknowledging both perpetrator behaviour and systemic oppression—mirrors Indigenous holistic thinking.
Practical Implementation
When conducting assessments, consider:
Prioritising cultural safety by ensuring Indigenous community members lead or co-facilitate processes.
Creating space for yarning and storytelling, respecting traditional communication styles.
Partnering with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organizations
Recognising the voices of elders and cultural leaders.
Remember that mainstream domestic violence responses often “select out” which elements of Indigenous law and culture are acceptable. Truly culturally responsive practice requires practitioners to challenge these limitations and advocate for approaches that honour the full spectrum of Indigenous knowledge and healing practices.
By integrating these cultural considerations with Safe & Together principles, practitioners can develop more accurate, respectful, and effective responses to domestic violence in First Nations communities.
Additional Resources
Safe & Together Institute’s domestic abuse–informed trainings
Safe & Together Institute’s upcoming events
David Mandel’s book Stop Blaming Mothers and Ignoring Fathers: How to Transform the Way We Keep Children Safe from Domestic Violence
