both victimisation and offending behaviour.
system as both victims and offenders has
intergenerational causes and effects.
trauma and family violence had increased under
AJA2
with the effects of trauma and family violence prior
to involvement with the justice system.
such as CISP, Koori women told us these are
under-utilised.
the program does not have the level of cultural
relevance that many Koori women need in order to
engage.
options, other parts of the system, such as
the Koori Court may not have ready access to
services that could support women to successfully
complete orders and stay out of prison.
is a fantastic concept) is the lack of
cultural diversion programs. They could
be doing more if they had cultural
diversion programs. I think diversion
should be at Koori Courts as the Elders
are there; it is embedded in the system
and Koories are accessing it. We
have nowhere to send people, we're
hamstrung there's Ngwala [Winja Ulupna
Women's Recovery Centre drug and
alcohol detox] but they can't cope.
available in restricted areas. As noted above, CISP
is only available in Melbourne, Sunshine and the
Latrobe Valley. In addition, the two transitional
houses for Koori women are located in Mildura and
Shepparton. These geographical limitations further
contribute to fragmentation of the service system.
National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, `Justice
Reinvestment Approach', above n 201,19.
Key informant interview, Victorian Aboriginal Community
Controlled Health Organisation, 7 March 2013
for women
programs Wulgunggo Ngalu,
Baroona, and Judy Lazarus [Transition
Centre]. There is nothing for us. With
the support of these programs for
men, they are able to change their
ways, women don't have that support.
There are often greater challenges for
women than for men.
identified three residential diversion facilities for
Koori males at different stages of contact with
the justice system. Baroona is community-owned
residential facility for Koori young men aged
between 14-25 years of age at risk of or in contact
with the justice system.
Centre provide services for men exiting prison.
Yet participants could not identify one dedicated
residential facility for Koori women. Koori women
also identified a lack of drug and alcohol services:
places like Ngwala. There are heaps
for men but none for women.
identified that diversionary services failed to meet
women's needs.
services around for men that are not
available for women, women also have
children to support. If women aren't able
to access financial support then they end
up reoffending to support their kids.
diversion options for Koori women
resulting in the increasing use of
imprisonment as the only option
available to the Court.
based diversion options for women
completing Community Corrections
Orders.
culturally appropriate for women.
Njernda Aboriginal Corporation, Baroona Healing
Centre. <http://njernda.designexperts.com.au/baroona-
healing-centre> at 18 July 2013.
There are limited options for Koori men.
Key informant interview, Aboriginal Family Violence
Prevention Legal Service, 13 December 2012.