[Oe List ...] Statement of Response to Northern Territory Intervention by WRN regarding the Australian Government's approach to the issue of child safety in the Northern Territory (Final)

[the telfords]

This fell off the previous Email to OE related to the Earth Belongs to All
song words request.

Please share this statement within networks and organisations There is still
a lot of ignorance and misunderstanding within the wider community related
to this complex and disastrous legislation.

Several of the WRN members have worked to develop this statement.
Sincerely
Elaine


 Statement by the NSW Women's Reconciliation Network regarding the
Australian Government's approach to the issue of child safety in the
Northern Territory



The Women's Reconciliation Network (WRN) recognises that Aboriginal
communities have been crying out for help for a long time with regard to the
violence and sexual abuse experienced by many people. We also know that a
lot of work has been done by communities to address this issue.

In relation to this, we understand that change needs to occur to ensure the
safety of children, not only in Northern Territory communities, but within
families and communities across Australia.

The WRN believes that listening to Aboriginal people and their needs, and
listening to community people on the ground with local experience, trust and
knowledge, is of primary importance in designing, implementing and
evaluating measures to ensure that children and their families are safe. We
believe there needs to be genuine negotiations between Aboriginal and
non-Aboriginal organisations involved in such interventions and inclusion of
Aboriginal expertise in the implementation of strategies to achieve outcomes
agreed to by Aboriginal people.

Interventions in relation to the safety of children must be undertaken in
ways that are respectful and professional, and do not create further trauma.
All workers in this area must be appropriately trained and supported.

The WRN supports Aboriginal self-determination.   We have serious concerns
regarding the impact of the present package of reforms, particularly as they
affect Aboriginal people's independence, power and dignity in their everyday
lives as well as their organisations and communities.

We are very concerned about the longstanding government neglect in
resourcing physically and culturally safe support for children and families
standing up to violence, and the scant resources available to people
recovering from alcoholism, substance abuse, and related traumas.
Generations
of racist discrimination has fuelled this neglect.  This must end now.

 The WRN condemns the oppressive use of the special measures provisions
within Section 51 (xxvi) of the Australian Constitution, particularly the
suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act, to the disadvantage of
Aboriginal people.

We support the work of Women for Wik and their colleagues in monitoring the
Federal 'intervention'.   This process must be done in co-operation with
Northern Territory Aboriginal people openly and honestly.



Respectfully

Members and friends of the

Women's Reconciliation Network

PO Box 200, Marrickville, 1475


 http://www.womenforwik.org /
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