The stolen generations

Since colonisation, numerous government laws, policies and practices resulted in the forced removal of generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and communities across Australia and are known as the Stolen generations. These children were placed in institutions, non-Indigenous foster homes or adopted by non-Indigenous families. Many children were informed their parents did not love them, did not want them or told their parents had died. Children were not allowed to speak their traditional language, and they were often given minimal education, limiting their employment options to low skilled work like domestic helpers or labourers. 

The trauma faced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was not limited to the forcible removal of their children as the loss of kin, culture and identity was the result of children growing up not knowing where they came from, who their family was and having no sense of belonging. 

The exact number of children who were removed may never be known. However, there are very few families who have been left unaffected, as in some families, children from three or more generations were taken. The removal of children broke important cultural, spiritual, and family ties and has left a lasting and intergenerational impact on the lives and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Moreover, affecting anywhere from 1 in 10 to 1 in 3 children, there is no single Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that has not been profoundly impacted and forever changed.

As a further consequence of the forced separation of parents and children, many families were denied the opportunity to experience a healthy and nurturing family life. 

In 2007, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd began consulting with Indigenous Australians about what form of national apology should be provided to people and families of the stolen generation. On 13 February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology on behalf of the Australian Parliament to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples, in particular to the Stolen Generations. 

Intergenerational trauma

People can be affected by traumatic events they directly experience, and they can also be affected by witnessing or hearing about traumatic events. This trauma is then passed down through subsequent generations, affecting children, families, and communities. When people have not healed from trauma, it is likely their experiences will be passed onto others, creating a cycle of trauma passed from one generation to the next.

For example, some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were subjected to forced removal from their families (the Stolen Generation) may pass the trauma they’ve experienced onto their children and their children’s children in a cyclic process through the sharing of stories, family history and experiences. As a result of their experience, a parent might find it difficult to know how to nurture and parent their own children, because they were denied the opportunity to be nurtured and parented themselves and have been disconnected from their family, community and culture 

It is important to develop an understanding of why a child, parent/s and family are demonstrating the behaviour they are, rather than trying to label the behaviour. This could be the family’s way of expressing their frustration at yet another generation being involved with Child Safety.

Understanding the concept of shame

The concept of shame for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples has a broader meaning than it does for non-Indigenous people. ‘Shame’ can signify someone is feeling embarrassed or ashamed in or by certain situations—often because of attention received or circumstances rather than because of something happening.

It is critical for Child Safety Officers to understand the family and community’s notion of shame as without this there can be significant barriers to communicating and working with families to keep children safe. 

The existence of shame does not mean these conversations are to be avoided as they may relate to a child’s safety, instead. understanding shame will help guide a sensitive approach to having these discussions.

For example, it may be considered ‘shame’ for a female or male young person to talk to practitioners of the opposite gender about topics of a sexual nature. However, if a conversation needs to go ahead, it is appropriate to check with the child and parents to see if there is someone of the same gender as the child, who could support them through the process (such as a relative, Elder or worker from a community service known to the child).

Lateral violence

Lateral violence happens when someone directs their frustration or dissatisfaction towards another person within the same oppressed group. For many Indigenous peoples around the world, this behaviour is seen as a lasting effect of colonisation and oppression, passed down through generations (Webster and Clark).

In Australia, racism and harmful stereotypes have created an environment where lateral violence can grow, particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and workplaces. This type of violence often involves questioning or undermining the identity and authenticity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, which can be deeply damaging.

Ask children and parents who they feel safe to involve in their safety and support network and understand who both parties consider to be safe. Further, ask how they can talk about their life (and with whom) without it being used against them as part of lateral violence.

Lateral violence can also make accessing local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services complicated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Privacy and confidentiality are extremely important to minimise lateral violence for the children, parents and communities. Practitioners need to ask families to identify the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation or services they are willing to engage with and be supported by prior to making any referrals.