The forum, hosted by the Redfern Babana Aboriginal Mens
Group, identified the need for a national Aboriginal men’s family violence
forum as a priority.
Chairman of the Babana Group, Mark
Spinks, said key messages from the discussions would be sent
to state and federal governments for consideration. “It is time to leave
the old hone size fits all’ mainstreaming approach behind,’ Mr Spinks said.
“It has not helped Aboriginal communities in the past and will not work in
the future.
“Aboriginal communities need to be properly supported
and Aboriginal men in those communities need to be empowered and given
opportunities to develop their own practical solutions to the issues affecting
Aboriginal men and their families and their communities.”
He said men’s groups, men’s spaces, time-out spaces and
healing centres were an important cultural part of the solution.
“Aboriginal men can stop the cycle of abuse in their communities
but need support and resources to enable them to make this happen,” Mr
Spinks said.
“As a priority federal, state and local governments
should support a national Aboriginal men’s family violence forum where
Aboriginal men can identify broad principles which they can take back to their
own communities.”
The University
of NSW has also revealed
a Iand-mark plan detailing how to help those affected the stolen generations.
Compensation, programs aimed at individual and group
healing, and a special keeping place where important photos, records or other
items can be safely archived, are among the urgent actions.
The plan, based on four years’ work, focuses on men who were
sent to the Kinchela Boys’ Home the North
Coast.
It is hoped that it will be used as a blueprint by other
members of the stolen generations.
“This is the first time that the men have been given
the opportunity to take control of their own futures,” said Redfern pastor
Ray Minniecon, who was involved in
the project.
“It is based on the need for justice.
“Nearly all the boys to come out of Kinchela went straight
to jail – that’s no accident.”