Indigenous Sexual Assault Research and Resources Gateway
The Indigenous Sexual Assault Research and Resources Gateway has been established in 2012 as an outcome of research conducted by Dr Kyllie Cripps and Professor Megan Davis into the experiences of Indigenous women and children as victims of sexual abuse in Australian courts. This study and the Gateway have been funded by the Federal Attorney-General's Department and the Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales
Whilst conducting our research we were approached by many professionals and organisations seeking resources on Indigenous sexual assault to better inform their practice and engagement with Indigenous communities on these sensitive issues. In response to these requests we have developed this Gateway to provide a central collection point for research, law and policy and worker resources about sexual assault as it effects Indigenous populations both in Australia and internationally.
Our aim is to facilitate access to the growing evidence-base on sexual assault and to support individuals, organisations, and agencies to use research, evidence and resources specifically focused on Indigenous experiences of sexual assault to shape present and future policy, practice and research directions in responding to, and reducing, sexual assault in our communities.
The website will be regularly updated with new material as it becomes available. We welcome your contributions. Submissions should be sent to us via e-mail preferably in PDF format, although we can accept other formats as well. We reserve the right to choose only those submissions that reflect the focus, scope and quality of our activities and documents.
We will be completing reviews of this website on a regularly basis. However, it is possible that some of our links may be inactive in between these regular checks. If you come across a 'dead link', we would greatly appreciate an email notifying us of the link so that we can update it.
We are an online resource only. We do not provide direct or emergency assistance or support to persons experiencing sexual violence; therefore, we do not provide legal advice, counselling services, or financial assistance. Our services are limited to electronic information delivery. If you are in need of the above services we would suggest the following services:
National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service 1800 737 732 (24 hour support line)
IMPORTANT: In an emergency – if anyone is in immediate danger – please call 000 now.
In the Media
Abused indigenous children 'must be heard' ABC News, November 21, 2012
An Indigenous woman from Queensland who was abused by a Catholic priest in the 1960s says the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse must examine the widespread abuse of Aboriginal children by members of the Catholic Church.
Leaders say abuse inquiry should omit communities The Australian, November 20, 2012 (subscription required)
Indigenous and non Indigenous leaders have warned the Gillard government that the royal commission into child sexual abuse should not "re-do" previous inquiries into indigenous communities.
Hey Sis, We've Got Your Back Special Broadcasting Service – Living Black, November 16, 2012
Remote community volunteers in sexual abuse cases lack support they need, but a new project in NSW is reaching out to tackle the causes and effects of abuse.
Child abuse inquiry may include issue of indigenous mistreatment The Australian, November 18, 2012 (subscription required)
The mistreatment of indigenous children in federal institutions may be included for examination by the royal commission into child abuse, says Acting Families Minister Brendan O'Connor.
Styles backs Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse Northern Territory Government Newsroom, November 14, 2012 Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Peter Styles has congratulated the Federal Government on committing to establishing a Royal Commission into institutional responses to allegations and instances of child sexual abuse.