Victims of Violence Among Indigenous Mothers Living with Dependent Children

Medical Journal of Australia, Vol. 191, No. 9, 2009

U of Melbourne Legal Studies Research Paper No. 466

2 Pages Posted: 6 May 2010

See all articles by Kyllie Cripps

Kyllie Cripps

University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Catherine M. Bennett

Deakin University - School of Health & Social Development

Lyle Gurrin

University of Melbourne - Centre for MEGA Epidemiology

David M. Studdert

University of Melbourne - Faculty of Law & Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences

Date Written: May 4, 2010

Abstract

Indigenous communities in Australia have high rates of inter-personal violence. In June 2007, findings from the Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse focused public attention on this issue, and prompted a dramatic policy response from the Australian Government – the ongoing Northern Territory Intervention. Violence against Indigenous women and children raises is an area of special concern.

This study used data from the 2002 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey to identify individual and household factors associated with violence among Australian Indigenous women with dependent children. We found that the prevalence of self-reported violence in this sub-population was alarmingly high: one in four Indigenous women living with dependent children younger than 15 years reported being victims of violence in the previous year. Violence was more prevalent in regional areas and cities than remote areas. In remote areas, however, mothers who had been removed from their natural families during childhood had nearly threefold greater odds of being victims of violence. Older maternal age was associated with lower odds of experiencing violence, as was the presence of male partners residing in the household. The study findings should help guide the efforts of Indigenous communities struggling to address violence, and aid those from outside the communities who are formulating and delivering services to combat the problem.

Keywords: Indigenous, Australia, violence

JEL Classification: K00

Suggested Citation

Cripps, Kyllie and Bennett, Catherine M. and Gurrin, Lyle and Studdert, David M., Victims of Violence Among Indigenous Mothers Living with Dependent Children (May 4, 2010). Medical Journal of Australia, Vol. 191, No. 9, 2009, U of Melbourne Legal Studies Research Paper No. 466, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1600500

Kyllie Cripps

University of New South Wales (UNSW) ( email )

Kensington
High St
Sydney, NSW 2052
Australia

Catherine M. Bennett

Deakin University - School of Health & Social Development ( email )

Australia

Lyle Gurrin

University of Melbourne - Centre for MEGA Epidemiology ( email )

Department of Management
Babel Building
Melbourne, 3010
Australia

David M. Studdert (Contact Author)

University of Melbourne - Faculty of Law & Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences ( email )

185 Pelham Street
Carlton, Victoria 3053
Australia

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