From Taboo to Epidemic: Family Violence Within Aboriginal Communities

Abstract

The research presented in this paper highlights the rising incidents of family violence in Aboriginal communities and the lasting and damaging effects of colonialism on the Aboriginal peoples and promotes awareness for those individuals who work closely with the Aboriginal communities. In addition, this paper presents an overview of two primary theories related to Aboriginal family violence, so as to emphasize the complexities surrounding this issue. Family violence within Aboriginal communities has specifically seen a paradigm shift from pre-colonialism to post-colonialism, moving from a rare occurrence to one that has been estimated to impact approximately 65 % of the Aboriginal populations in Canada. Factors such as a transient lifestyle, substance abuse, economic status, and gender inequality have been found to increase the risk of experiencing family violence or domestic abuse. These factors, in addition to a long history of colonialism, have created a state in which Aboriginal families are more vulnerable to the occurrence of family violence. The epidemic of family violence in Aboriginal families is further compounded by underlying racism, lack of cultural competency, and a general misunderstanding of Aboriginal worldviews by service providers.