Given that lateral violence is such a new area of inquiry in Australia, it is not surprising that research looking at the links
between lateral violence and social and emotional wellbeing has not been done yet.
As I travel around the country talking to people I am often given anecdotal evidence that suggests a link
between lateral violence and involvement with the criminal justice system.
An AIATSIS Research Discussion paper by Scott Gorringe, Joe Ross and Cressida Fforde based on a workshop with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants elaborates on the link
between lateral violence and identity, with one participant stating:
Not exact matches
I discuss some of the ways in which the interaction
between power, identity and
lateral violence can play out in the native title process in the following section.
In contrast, if a person who is the applicant (and / or their family) is perceived to be unfairly benefiting from their role or excluding individuals / families from the native title process, then this can create divisions
between the persons who are the applicant and / or the applicant and the native title claim group, and instigate
lateral violence within the community.
There can't be any other
lateral violence process
between the involved parties in the past 12 months and once terms or resolutions are agreed, there can be no backing out; otherwise, formal disciplinary action will be taken.
While we continue to harm each other with
lateral violence and while governments and industry operate within the native title system in a way that creates environments that foster
lateral violence, there will be little progress in improving the indicators necessary to close the gap
between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community.
In the midst of this crisis mobile phones were used by young women to perpetrate
lateral violence through Telstra BigPond's Diva Chat, with emotionally charged messages flying
between the camps.
In the context of addressing
lateral violence, the Declaration can assist us to develop stronger and deeper relationships within our communities, and guide relationships
between Indigenous peoples and the broader community but more particularly
between governments and Indigenous peoples.
It is often the tension
between those charged with addressing the above issues on the Island, such as the Palm Island Shire Council, and those who are struggling with the ongoing effects of the trauma associated with colonisation that result in
lateral violence in the community.
However, in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities the potential for conflict that leads to
lateral violence is heightened as a result of the «inter-relationships and interconnections
between people», and often does not account for the range of differentiations within the group.
While the potential for conflict or
lateral violence between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living on Palm Island was well secured in the establishment of the Reserve, the ongoing isolation and exclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living on the Island from the broader Australian community, exacerbates the effects of similar policies redesigned to reflect a contemporary context.
While we continue to harm each other with
lateral violence and while governments and industry operate in a way that fosters
lateral violence, there will be little progress in improving the indicators that measure the gap
between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community.