Aboriginal Cultural Safety
The right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to Cultural Safety is an important part of the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework.
What is Aboriginal Cultural Safety in the context of the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework?
I know an organisation respects my culture when it respects and values my cultural background, traditions, and beliefs.
- Kate, who wants to help those who can't help themselves.
Aboriginal children and young people in Tasmania have a right to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment with connections to community, culture and identity.
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap defines Cultural Safety as:
- being about overcoming the power imbalances of places, people and policies that occur between the majority non-Indigenous position and the minority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person so that there is no assault, challenge or denial of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person’s identity, of who they are and what they need
- being met through actions from the majority position which recognise, respect, and nurture the unique cultural identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Only the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who is recipient of a service or interaction can determine whether it is culturally safe.
There are risks to children and young people when Cultural Safety is not practised or respected.
Key elements of the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework aim to support and enable Cultural Safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in Tasmania.
How is Aboriginal Cultural Safety embedded into the Child and Youth Safe Standards?
I know an organisation respects my culture when it is showing that is it connected with history, such as teaching us about our culture.
- Montanna, who wants to become a mechanic and own their own house.
In putting the Child and Youth Safe Standards into practice, organisations must also give effect to the Universal Principle for Aboriginal Cultural Safety.
The Universal Principle applies to all 10 Standards.
The Universal Principle says organisations must provide an environment that ensures that the right to Cultural Safety of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children is respected.
When you think about the Standards, try to imagine the Universal Principle sitting over them all like an umbrella. This means that each Standard will have indicators of compliance reflecting the Universal Principle.
How is Aboriginal Cultural Safety embedded into the structure and work of the Independent Regulator?
The Independent Regulator will regulate the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework.
The Independent Regulator will be supported by a Deputy Regulator, who can provide support and act in the Independent Regulator role if need be.
At least one of these two roles — the Independent Regulator, or the Deputy Regulator — must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
The Independent Regulator must also embed the Universal Principle in all their work. For example, they must embed it into their work educating organisations about promoting child safety and preventing abuse.
This includes instances where the Independent Regulator may decide there is a need for them to step in to do an investigation into an allegation of reportable conduct.
These situations are known as an ‘own motion’ investigation.
Before interviewing an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child or young person, the Independent Regulator must also offer them the opportunity to have a known member of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation present.
What resources are available to support my organisation to practise Aboriginal Cultural Safety?
Localised guidance about Aboriginal Cultural Safety in Tasmania is currently being developed.
In the meantime, Tasmanian organisations might like to check out these existing resources about Cultural Safety and the National Principles (which are the same as our Child and Youth Safe Standards) from the National Office for Child Safety:
Test your understanding of Aboriginal Cultural Safety in the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework
Learn more about the Aboriginal Cultural Safety in the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework by taking this true or false quiz:
1. The Universal Principle is a separate Child and Youth Safe Standard and has separate compliance indicators that do not relate to the other 10.
True
In fact, the statement is false.
The Universal Principle is embedded in each of the Child and Youth Safe Standards.
This means that each Standard will have indicators of compliance reflecting the Universal Principle.
The best way to get notified when this guidance is available is to sign up for our newsletter.
To subscribe:
- Go to the subscription webpage
- Fill in your details
- Check the box that says ‘Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework’.
False
Well done, you chose the correct answer.
The Universal Principle is embedded in each of the Child and Youth Safe Standards.
This means that each Standard will have indicators of compliance reflecting the Universal Principle.
The best way to get notified when this guidance is available is to sign up for our newsletter.
To subscribe:
- Go to the subscription webpage
- Fill in your details
- Check the box that says ‘Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework’.
2. Only organisations that provide services specifically for Aboriginal children and young people will have to comply with the Universal Principle.
True
In fact, this statement is false.
All organisations required to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Standards must comply with the Universal Principle.
False
Well done, you chose the correct answer.
The Universal Principle is embedded in each of the Child and Youth Safe Standards.
This means that all organisations required to comply with the Child and Youth Safe Standards must comply with the Universal Principle.
Seeking help?
We encourage anyone affected by, or with concerns about, child sexual abuse or other types of child abuse to access advice and support.
National:
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For domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling and support, contact
1800RESPECT:- Phone: 1800 737 732
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For short-term support if you are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe, contact Lifeline:
- Phone: 13 11 14
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For free professional phone and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide living in Australia, contact Suicide Call Back Service:
- Phone: 1300 659 467
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For information and support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention for everyone in Australia, contact Beyond Blue:
- Phone: 1300 224 636
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For information and support for anyone who is affected by complex trauma, contact
Blue Knot Foundation:- Phone: 1300 657 380
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For counselling and support for Australian men, contact MensLine Australia:
- Phone: 1300 789 978
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For advice for men about family violence, contact Men's Referral Service:
- Phone: 1300 766 491
- Phone: 1800 55 1800
Tasmania:
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For information about child wellbeing and safety, contact
Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line:- Phone: 1800 000 123
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For free and confidential support for people who have been affected by sexual violence, contact the Tasmanian Sexual Assault Support Line (24 hour response state-wide):
- Phone: 1800 697 877
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For information and support for children, young people and adults affected by family violence, contact
Family Violence Counselling and Support Service:- Phone: 1800 608 122
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For free and confidential support for people impacted by crime, contact
Victims of Crime Service:- Phone: 1300 300 238
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For support for relationships and to live positive lives, contact
Relationships Australia Tasmania:- Phone: 1300 364 277