Health and Crime in Black Australia (From Justice Programs for Aboriginal and Other Indigenous Communities, P 15-20, 1985, Kathleen M Hazelhurst, ed. - See NCJ-100652)

• NCJ Number: 100653
• Author(s): S Houston
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

The imposition of colonial law has undermined the physical and mental health of Australia's Aboriginal people, and this can only be rectified by returning sovereignty to Aboriginal communities.

Abstract

The imposition of European colonial law on the Aboriginal nations has destroyed the culture developed to sustain the physical and mental health of Aboriginal people. Depriving Aboriginals of their land has taken their food sources and forcing them to comply with European law has resulted in a loss of the collective and individual identity essential for their mental health. This oppressive attack on Aboriginal health and survival has produced a rage that translates into violations of colonial law and practices. European legal and social jurisdictions must recognize Aboriginal law and social institutions by ratifying Aboriginal sovereignty. Where such sovereignty has been introduced, Aboriginal violence and antisocial behavior has decreased. This should not involve the creation of a separate state but, instead, the implementation of structures that permit self-governance in Aboriginal communities.