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SNAICC's response to the federal government's 'Emergency response to protect Aboriginal children in NT'27 June 2007 SNAICC continues to respond to the federal government's emergency measures to respond to child abuse in Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. Our response includes a number of media statements issued since 20 June 2007, comments and interviews with the media, discussions with other Indigenous organisations and the community sector, and discussions with federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough's office. Details of the federal government's Emergency Response measures, announced on Thursday 21 June 2007, are on the FaCSIA website here.
SNAICC's Latest Response31 July 2007 New! SNAICC's July NewsletterThe July edition of our newsletter, SNAICC News, is now available. It includes extensive coverage of our response to the federal government's intevention in NT. 11 July 2007 Overview of SNAICC’s responseSNAICC’s immediate concerns are that the Northern Territory (NT) emergency measures developed by the Federal Government lack expert guidance in the area of child protection, are too short term in focus, and fail to provide a way for stakeholders to contribute their expertise so the measures can have a lasting effect on the safety and welfare of children. Since 1995 SNAICC has advocated for a national action plan to prevent child abuse and neglect. As recently as May 2006 SNAICC wrote to every Premier and Chief Minister from each state and territory government and to the Prime Minister calling for a national action plan to prevent child abuse. All responded that they had the current issues of abuse and neglect ‘ in-hand’. Clearly they haven’t and a national action plan is overdue. Our latest initiatives:
Combined NT Aboriginal Organisations – Proposed Emergency Response and Plan to Protect Aboriginal Children10 July 2007 Aboriginal organisations in the Northern Territory, in conjunction with other community sector organisations such as SNAICC, have announced proposals to keep children in Aboriginal communities safe from harm. It is also a response the federal government's intervention in the NT. SNAICC contributed to, and is supporting, the paper and its recommendations.
SNAICC Media Statements26 June 2007
22 June 2007
20 June 2007
Joint Public Statement26 June 2007 SNAICC joined with ACOSS and other community sector organisations and Indigenous services across the country in an open letter to Minister Brough responding to the government's emergency response. The full letter is published on the ACOSS website (link takes you out of SNAICC's website):
Other SNAICC Comments and Responses in the mediaSNAICC's comments and responses have been taken up by the media at various times. These include (please note, this is not an exhaustive list): 8 July 2007:
SNAICC Chairperson Muriel Bamblett appeared on SBS's Living
Black programme on 8 July, in a panel discussion on the issues
surrounding the federal government's involvement in the Northern
Territory. The panel included Tom Calma (Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Social Justice Commissioner) and Elliot McAdam (NT Minister
for Central Australia). 27 June 2007: Opinion Piece by SNAICC Chairperson Muriel Bamblett, 'Please listen to us, PM', published in The Age. (link takes you out of SNAICC website) 21 June 2007: Interview by SNAICC Chairperson Muriel Bamblett with Jon Faine on ABC Radio Melbourne 774 AM. The programme can be heard online from ABC Radio Melbourne's website. (link takes you out of SNAICC website)
SNAICC Briefing Papers, Reports and ResourcesDevelopment of
a National Action Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect
(Briefing Paper, May 2006)
State of Denial: The neglect and abuse of Indigenous children in the Northern Territory (published 2003) This SNAICC report provides an analysis of the systemic failure of the child protection system in the Northern Territory to meet the needs of Indigenous children and families. Includes interviews with key non-government agencies, statistical overview of the child protection system, discussion and reform proposals.
SNAICC's Submission to NT Board of Inquiry into Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse SNAICC completed a detailed submission for the Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into sexual abuse of Aboriginal children. SNAICC recommended a major overhaul of the child protection system within the Northern Territory.
Child Abuse and Family Violence Resource Page A collection of online resources, information and contacts to assist those developing responses to family violence, sexual assault and child abuse and neglect in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Compiled by the SNAICC Resource Service (SRS) and updated regularly.
Other ResourcesNew! NT Government 'Stop Abuse' website The NT Government has published a new website on the recent child abuse measures in the territory. The site covers the NT Government's response to the federal government's intervention to stop child abuse in Aboriginal communities and its own initiatives and responses to the issue.
Opinion, Comment and AnalysisNew! 'Securing Indigenous children’s well being' (Conference Paper) 11 July 2007 By Terri Libesman (Law Faculty, University Technology Sydney) UTS law lecturer Terri Libesman, who has an extensive research background and expertise on Indigenous self determination and legislation and policy relating to the welfare and well being of Indigenous children, has given SNAICC permission to share online her recent conference paper analysing this issue.
AIDA Media Statement (22 June 2007) New! The Australian Indigenous Doctors Association (AIDA) expressed strong concerns about the proposed compulsory health checks of Aboriginal children originally mooted as part of the federal intervention in NT.
AMSANT Media Statement (22 June 2007) New! The Northern Territory’s peak Aboriginal health body strongly criticised the federal government's intervention into the territory.
VALS Media Statement (27 June 2007) New! "Listen to us, work with us" is the message to the Prime Minister on the intervention Response from VALS (Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services Co-operative).
The NT Board of Inquiry into Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual AbuseThe Northern Territory Government released the report from its Board of Inquiry into Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse on 15 June 2007. You can find it on their website. There is a Summary and a full Inquiry Report:
Seeking Help and SupportThose with concerns regarding child abuse and/or sexual assault, or have concerns for friends or family members, can seek support and assistance from various services. Kids Help Line
- telephone 1800 55 1800 The Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Service has 'Helpful Information on Abuse & Violence' on their website. Reporting abuse or neglectIf you know or suspect a child is being mistreated, you should report your concern to the child protection authority in your State or Territory.
Links and contact details for a range of services are on the Family Violence and Child Abuse Resource Page.
First published 27 June 2007 Updated 31 July 2007
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