Community development approaches to safety and wellbeing of Indigenous children

Abstract:

In this resource sheet, Dr Higgins examines child abuse and neglect in Indigenous communities from a societal perspective: applying a community development framework to understand effective strategies for reducing risks and enhancing children’s safety and wellbeing. To be effective, strategies to address the problem of child abuse in Indigenous communities need to consider the known risk factors for child maltreatment in a way that acknowledges the historical context, is culturally ‘safe’ and emphasises support for families. This resource sheet is not a systematic review of all options, but rather, focuses on the principles of community development and culturally competent practices for Indigenous communities, and identifies some promising Indigenous programs and services. There are also non-Indigenous-specific programs that may be suitable for translation into an Indigenous context; however, the suitability of such programs would need to be determined in consultation with the local community, and program approaches and materials redeveloped to ensure cultural appropriateness.