Table 3 Summary of key findings according to sector and recommendations for improving services for indigenous communities
UN Women Framework principles, common characteristics and foundational elements | UN Women Framework Essential services and actions | Key findings | Recommendations for improving services for indigenous communities |
|---|---|---|---|
Principles 1. A rights-based approach 2. Advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment 3. Culturally and age appropriate and sensitive 4. Victim/survivor centred approach 5. Safety is paramount 6. Perpetrator accountability Common characteristics 1. Availability 2. Accessibility 3. Adaptability 4. Appropriateness 5. Prioritise safety 6. Informed consent and confidentiality 7. Data collection and information management 8. Effective communication 9. Linking with other sectors and agencies through referral and coordination Foundational elements 1. Comprehensive legislation and legal framework 2. Governance oversight and accountability 3. Resource financing 4. Training and workforce development 5. Gender sensitive policies and practice 6. Monitoring and evaluation | Health | Accessibility • Outreach mental and physical health services to remote communities Appropriateness • Service provision in local languages Rights based approach • Integrating indigenous governance structures and justice concepts Culturally appropriate and sensitive • Inclusive and non-discriminatory services • Intercultural competency training for service providers | |
1. Identification of survivors of IPV 2. First line support 3. Care of injuries and urgent medical treatment 4. Sexual assault examination and care 5. Mental health assessment and care 6. Documentation (medico-legal) | VAWG survivors are not identified by the health system because of inadequate screening tools and protocols | ||
Lack of VAWG training for health professionals including on supporting survivors, sexual assault examination and required documentation for trial purposes and mental health | |||
VAWG is not perceived as a priority health concern leading to delays in service provision | |||
Health services are not accessible for indigenous populations | |||
Health services are not culturally appropriate for indigenous populations | |||
Indigenous survivors of IPV face stigma and discrimination when accessing health services | |||
Justice and policing | |||
UN Women Framework components 1. Prevention 2. Initial contact 3. Assessment/investigation 4. Pre-trial processes 5. Trial processes 6. Perpetrator accountability and reparations 7. Post-trial processes 8. Safety and protection 9. Assistance and support 10. Communication and information 11. Just sector coordination | VAWG survivors who report to the police are treated poorly and often blamed for the violence they experience | ||
Justice and policing systems are insufficient in rural areas because of underfunding | |||
Limited resources result in slow trial processes which deter survivors from continuing with their case | |||
The legal response to perpetrators is inadequate, they are not sufficiently punished which can lead to re-perpetration | |||
Corruption in the justice system works in favour of perpetrators | |||
Traditional legal systems and concepts of indigenous populations should be integrated into national VAWG response | |||
Social services | |||
1. Crisis information 2. Crisis counselling 3. Help lines 4. Safe accommodation 5. Material and financial aid 6. Creation, recovery, replacement of identity documents 7. Legal and rights information, advice and representation, including in plural legal systems 8. Psycho-social support and counselling 9. Women-centred support. Children’s services for any child affected by violence 10. Children’s services for any child affected by violence 11. Community information, education and community outreach 12. Assistance towards economic independence, recovery and autonomy | Available services are seen as ineffective and under resourced | ||
Coordinated psychological, medical and legal services provided by Women’s emergency Centres but there is a lack of continuity of care | |||
Economic barriers insufficiently addressed | |||
Some positive indigenous-focussed initiatives although these are limited to economic empowerment | |||
Services need to be tailored to indigenous values | |||
Coordination and governance of coordination | |||
National level: 1. Law and policy making 2. Appropriation and allocation of resources 3. Standard setting for establishment of local level coordinated responses 4. Inclusive approaches to coordinated responses 5. Facilitate capacity development of policy makers and other decision-makers on coordinated responses to VAWG 6. Monitoring and evaluation of coordination at national and local levels Local level: 1. Creation of formal structures for local coordination and governance of coordination 2. Implementation of coordination and governance of coordination | Law and policies are strong with national efforts towards coordinated responses | ||
Moving towards decentralisation of services to improve access for women in rural areas | |||
Legal and policy frameworks are not being applied consistently in practice | |||
Lack of coordination between different sectors with contradictory approaches | |||
Where regulatory and policy frameworks have been applied, these have not benefited indigenous communities, who are often outside of the formal health and social services sectors | |||