Mediation and Justice GroupYuendumu Mediation and Justice Group The mediation group is currently comprised of 8 indigenous elders and respected people. The group aims to facilitate stronger family relationships and provide a forum for the community to develop and implement strategies that promote community safety and address family violence in Yuendumu. Group members act as mediators in disputes before they escalate further. In other words, the project aims to defuse disputes at an early stage. Even in cases where there is a past history of family violence, the group acts as a conduit for constructive communication between disputants. In addition, the coordinator and group members aim to build good working relationships with all families that are founded upon trust, dignity and respect. Although Aboriginal mediators may have family ties and kinship obligations, they ‘sit in the middle’ by listening to major family groupings and finding solutions together. In addition, group members have the capacity to educate the community at an early stage and bring disputing parties together to clarify misunderstandings and reinforce key messages relating to family relationships, such as (but not limited to):
The mediation group continues to work closely with Yuendumu Police, Northern Territory judiciary, school, night patrol and women’s shelters. Forging links with these key organisations helps to build a safer and secure environment. The group’s services can be divided into the following categories: (a) Acting as mediators and educating community in conflict management
Group members can conduct voluntary mediation sessions and family conferences aimed at the settlement of grievances (e.g. intra and inter family disputes) and court-ordered mediation sessions. Mediation services also include information gathering and exchange, arranging contact with the parties via ‘shuttle mediation’, preliminary conferences to define the dispute and parties involved and joint meetings. The group also takes cases referred by the police and Night Patrols. Cases are screened to determine whether they can be mediated.The group also places an emphasis of educating the community, especially the younger generation. In this respect, group members are important role models in demonstrating the potential of alternative dispute resolution. Training programs and workshops are currently being developed to instil principles of effective conflict management. In addition, they exhibit respect for other people – this approach forms the crucible of mitigating family violence and transforming relationships. (b) Involvement in the justice system and developing community safety initiatives Group members can act as advisers to the local magistrate. With the coordinator providing administrative support, pre-court conferences are convened so that group members can prepare court submissions guiding the judiciary on sentencing and support options that are better directed towards general deterrence and rehabilitation of defendants. The group’s work is currently done in the Yuendumu Magistrates Court. One of the issues that the group takes seriously is domestic violence and alcohol abuse. Members interact with the magistrate and defendant on the gravity of the charges and suggest ways of changing behaviours and attitudes. Fortnightly meetings are also held to develop and implement appropriate strategies to deter people from breaking the law. (c) Acting as mentors Group members mentor community members who have been referred by the courts or night patrol. These sessions encourage participants to reflect about the consequences of their actions for themselves and their family. The service is also available to all community members who have been affected by family violence. Once a month, 2 group members travel to Alice Springs Correctional Centre to visit prisoners and monitor their welfare. They also help released persons reintegrate into the community.
(d)Referral service to specialised services
Community members may consult with group members and/or the coordinator to find more specialised services, such as professional counselling, legal advice and arranging phone appointments for family members in jail.
2. Yuendumu Men’s Night Patrol The Council has helped the community to run a night patrol to promote safety in Yuendumu at night. Its constant presence provides the community with a service that is vigilant in preventing and discouraging all forms of violence. The Men’s Night Patrol is required to deal with anti-social behaviour, substance abuse and all forms of family violence. The Men’s Night Patrol covers at least 6 nights a week. There are at least 2 men working on each shift. The coordinator encourages night patrollers to take responsibility for how the Night Patrol is operated, ranging from rosters, methods of resolving disputes and maintenance of the vehicle and equipment. In addition, they assist the efforts of the mediation group in enforcing policies and strategies on issues such as family violence, alcohol and drugs. The Men’s Night Patrol is currently under the supervision of the mediation coordinator. There are 5 members on the Night Patrol Team – 3 elders and 2 younger members. The elders are well-known and respected throughout the community and are experienced in conflict management. One elder has worked as a police aide whilst the other elder is regarded as a traditional lawman and mediator. There is usually one elder mentoring and guiding junior team members on each night patrol. These projects are kindly funded by the Commonwealth Department for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department. For more information on these projects, you can contact James Teh on (08) 8956 4245 or james.teh@yuendumu.nt.gov.au |