I wonder if people realise that traditional Aboriginal culture was able to manage DV through the kinship system. It did this through the avoidance relationship between a husband and his mother-in-law. For those who do not know, in Australian traditional Aboriginal law all husbands are required to avoid their mother-in-laws. They cannot look at them, talk to them, be in close proximity or even say their name. If this taboo was broken the punishment would be severe. So when a wife and children felt threatened by their partner or father, all they had to do was seek out their mother or grandmother (mother’s mother) and remain with her until the matter was resolved by other family. Even the vulnerable could seek safety by seeking out the perpetrators mother-in-law. This was an ingenious social system that protected people. When tradition eroded through removal, disconnection, alcohol and other, traditions like this become broken. In other words DV entered into Aboriginal society through colonialist practice. Anthropologist have recorded that every Aboriginal national had this strict law along with other avoidance relationships, but the degree of avoidance did differ. Today some communities still practice this law and in some locations its been completely forgotten.
There are so many other traditional Aboriginal practices that are relevant in a modern society. I will make a post from time to time and share some of what I lived and have learnt.
In the meantime, I offer Aboriginal workshops and training based on traditional Aboriginal practice and I can speak at conferences. For more information just send me a message.
Also, let me know if you find this interesting and helpful.
Paul Herbert
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