Central Land Council
in this section
CLC Press Releases
- 14 Augyust 2008 2008
- Communities have their say on intervention ›› more
- 31 July 2008 2008
- Fairfax news in bad taste ›› more
- 24 July 2008 2008
- election: accountability needed ›› more
- 17 July 2008 2008
- Royal commission needed into NT funding ›› more
- 11 July 2008 2008
- Simpson Desert: the last land rights claim under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act ›› more
- 8 July 2008 2008
- Sacred site damage at Wilora ›› more
- 30 May 2008
- Seal the Mereenie Loop Road Now ›› more
- 27 May 2008
- Angela Pamela Negotiations ›› more
- 9 May 2008
- Angela Pamela and the native title process ›› more
- 18 February 2008
- Coalition should support permit system ›› more
- 15 February 2008
- Politicians threaten to derail fresh start ›› more
- 22 January 2008
- Police ignorance upsets Lajamanu community ›› more
- 26 November 2007
- Optimism for a fresh consensual approach on Aboriginal affairs ›› more
- 21 November 2007
- Concerns over Central Petroleum tactics ›› more
Aboriginal culture, sexual abuse, the media…..
“If sexual abuse is occurring then prosecute those who are responsible instead of putting Aboriginal culture up for trial by media.
“Sweeping, unsubstantiated statements to the media, based on hearsay and not reported to the police in the first instance, are unfair to Aboriginal people.”
CLC director David Ross was responding to an article in The Australian newspaper today in which a research student alleges that sexual abuse of boys is occurring as a cultural practice. The researcher alleges: ‘Everybody knows it's happening'.
“Obviously everybody doesn't know it's happening. The justice system doesn't know it's happening. We don't know that it is happening.
“This vilification is wrong , it is damaging to Aboriginal society and we insist that people come forward and give the details of who, when and where to the police instead of these broad, unspecified allegations,” David Ross.
Mr Ross says that the Central Land Council would support any moves to extend the compulsory requirement so that any person who receives information about these types of crimes is obliged to report it. Currently only health professionals are required to report incidents.
He also said the CLC would back any efforts by the police and judicial system to address the issue.
CLC Chairman Lindsay Bookie said the sexual abuse of children is not a cultural practice of Aboriginal people in Central Australia .
Men's initiation ceremonies are still an important cultural practice and are essential to maintaining the cultural fabric of Aboriginal society in Central Australia .
“Maintaining these ceremonial traditions is healthy. They help to preserve order and protocols in Aboriginal society, provide young Aboriginal people with their place within their own society and enrich Aboriginal people's lives. They are important to maintaining identity and contribute to a functional society.
“Healthy Aboriginal cultures contribute to all Australian's lives.
“Aboriginal culture faces enough obstacles and deterrents without being unfairly attacked as a source of evil,” Mr Bookie said.
A number of priests have been convicted of child abuse offences, but the media does not make generalised allegations about all priests and their religious beliefs.
8 September 2006