Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation’s invaluable work curbing the high rates of family and domestic violence in the Kimberly has been acknowledged in an engrossing article by the ABC.
2,000 kilometres north of Perth, in a region with one of the highest rates of domestic violence in Australia, the ABC interviewed one of the perpetrators who have chosen to be accountable and seek help in changing their violent behaviour.
In this interview, ‘Harry’ opens up about the offences that landed him in and out of prison, and describes how the sharing of experiences with other men in Emama Nguda Aboriginal Corporation’s (ENAC’s) men’s behavioural change program helped him start questioning his own behaviour.
As mentioned in the article, being part of the program has meant that Harry can now notice trends that had previously influenced his offending. He said it has been a lifeline, helping him to end the violence that was a part of his life for years.
“I see other young fellas… either take their life, take it out on their missus, damage the house, their family, and all that, so it’s pretty much clear that it’s best to get help from these agencies,” he said.
In addition to many others, the ABC also interviewed men’s worker and Nyul Nul and Ngarluman man, Floyd Churnside, who facilitates the program and uses group-discussed strategies to stop violence in a collaborative format during workshops over a total of 30 weeks.
Floyd said the key goal remains unpacking the issues underpinning the men’s behaviour.
“Making sure that our children and women are safe as well, but making sure that our men are able to lead our women and children to be safe.
“We recognised we all go through family domestic violence, no matter where you come from and what background we might have… because family and domestic violence knows no boundaries, it knows no social setting.
“So we’ve learned a lot,” he said.
For more information on the positive change coming from ENAC’s men’s behavioural change program, please read the full ABC article HERE.
(Photo ABC Kimberley: Mya Kordic)
