Motivation and emotion/Book/2024/Lateral violence among Indigenous Australians

Lateral violence among Indigenous Australians:
What drives it and how can it be addressed?

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Overview

In a remote Indigenous Australian community, Sarah, a young Aboriginal woman, is excited about her new role as a community health worker. However, she soon faces criticism and exclusion from some community members who accuse her of "acting white" and "forgetting her roots." Sarah feels torn between her desire to help her community and the pressure to conform to others' expectations.

Lateral violence is a significant issue affecting Indigenous Australian communities, manifesting as harmful behaviors directed at members of one's own marginalized group. This phenomenon, rooted in historical trauma and ongoing systemic inequalities, poses a substantial challenge to individual and community well-being.

Psychological science offers valuable insights into understanding and addressing lateral violence. By examining the underlying psychological mechanisms, historical context, and contemporary factors contributing to this issue, we can develop effective strategies for intervention and healing.

This figure illustrates the cycle of transgenerational trauma, showing how trauma and lateral violence are passed from grandmother to mother to daughter. Each generation inherits unresolved trauma and learned behaviors, perpetuating a cycle of harm within Indigenous communities. This visual emphasizes the need for healing to break the cycle.

This chapter explores the complex dynamics of lateral violence among Indigenous Australians, its drivers, and potential solutions. We will delve into relevant psychological theories, examine current research, and consider culturally appropriate approaches to addressing this critical issue.

Focus Questions

How does historical trauma contribute to lateral violence in Indigenous communities?
What psychological theories explain the persistence of lateral violence?
How does lateral violence impact individual and community well-being?
What strategies can effectively address and prevent lateral violence?
How can cultural strengthening combat lateral violence?

Understanding Lateral Violence

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Definition and Manifestations

Lateral violence, also known as horizontal violence or intra-racial conflict, refers to harmful behaviors and aggression within systemically exploited or oppressed groups. It is commonly described as infighting between people from the same group who have historically been oppressed(AHRC,2011).

• Manifests as bullying, gossip, social exclusion, and sometimes physical violence.

• Often rooted in internalized oppression and historical trauma that manifests as harmful behaviors within oppressed groups, potentially causing significant damage to individuals and communities.

Historical Context

The roots of lateral violence lie in the historical trauma experienced by Indigenous Australians due to colonization, forced removal from land, and systemic oppression (Clark et al., 2021). This historical context has led to a loss of cultural identity and traditional conflict resolution methods, perpetuated by ongoing discrimination and marginalization.

Drivers and Impacts of Lateral Violence

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Colonial legacy and systemic oppression

The ongoing impact of colonization, including loss of land, culture, and autonomy, continues to fuel lateral violence (Clark et al., 2021). Systemic discrimination and lack of access to resources exacerbate feelings of powerlessness and frustration.

Internalized Oppression

Many Indigenous Australians have internalized negative stereotypes about their identity, leading to self-destructive behaviors and conflicts within communities (Clark & Augoustinos, 2015).

Individual Well-being

Lateral violence significantly affects mental health, contributing to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress (Clark et al., 2016). It can erode self-esteem, cultural pride, and confidence in identity, discouraging individuals from pursuing education or career advancement (AHRC, 2011).

Community Cohesion

Lateral violence undermines trust and relationships within communities, disrupting the transmission of cultural knowledge and practices (Clark & Augoustinos, 2015). It creates divisions based on perceived "authenticity" of Indigenous identity, further fragmenting communities (AHRC, 2011).

Psychological Theories and Research Insights

This section reviews key findings from recent studies and their implications for addressing the issue.

Theoretical Frameworks

Oppression Theory

Oppression theory provides a framework for understanding lateral violence as a result of systemic oppression and marginalization experienced by Indigenous peoples (AHRC, 2011). It explains how disadvantage, discrimination, and oppression create conditions for lateral violence to emerge within communities.

Post-colonial theory and Intergenerational Trauma

Post-colonial theory explains lateral violence as a consequence of historical trauma from colonization and ongoing systemic oppression (Clark & Augoustinos, 2015). It emphasizes how colonial practices disrupted traditional social structures and cultural identities, creating conditions for lateral violence. Intergenerational trauma posits that trauma from historical injustices is passed down through generations, contributing to ongoing cycles of violence and dysfunction within communities (AHRC, 2011).

Social Identity Theory

Explains how in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination can lead to lateral violence within marginalized communities (Tajfel & Turner, 1979).

Quiz

Lateral violence is a form of conflict that only occurs between different cultural groups. True/False
The roots of lateral violence in Indigenous communities can be traced back to the impacts of colonization and historical trauma. True/False
Lateral violence always manifests as physical aggression. True/False
Lateral violence has no impact on the transmission of cultural knowledge within Indigenous communities. True/False
Social Identity Theory helps explain conflicts related to perceived "authenticity" of Indigenous identity. True/False
Lateral violence is a topic that is openly discussed and addressed in all Indigenous communities. True/False

Answers

Conclusion

In this book chapter, we have explored the concept of lateral violence among Indigenous Australians and its deep-rooted connections to the history of colonization and ongoing systemic oppression. We've learned how the traumatic experiences of dispossession, forced assimilation, and cultural suppression have led to long-lasting psychological effects and complex emotional responses within Indigenous communities. The manifestations of lateral violence, such as bullying, gossip, social exclusion, and sometimes physical aggression, are not inherent to Indigenous cultures but rather responses to generations of trauma and powerlessness. Research has shown how lateral violence impacts all domains of social and emotional well-being, including mind, emotions, body, family, community, culture, and spirituality (Clark et al., 2015). Particularly concerning is the finding that lateral violence contributes to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts among Indigenous individuals. We've also seen how lateral violence can be passed down through generations, similar to intergenerational trauma. The disruption of traditional social structures and cultural practices continues to affect families and communities today, perpetuating cycles of lateral violence.

While this chapter has focused primarily on the experiences of Indigenous Australians, it's important to note that lateral violence is a broader societal issue rooted in systemic oppression and is not exclusive to Indigenous communities. The labeling and discussion of lateral violence, while necessary for addressing the issue, must be approached carefully to avoid further stigmatization or misrepresentation of Indigenous peoples (Whyman et al., 2021). To summarize, lateral violence among Indigenous Australians is a complex issue with deep historical roots and ongoing systemic drivers. Its impacts are far-reaching, affecting individual well-being, community cohesion, and cultural continuity.

References

Australian Human Rights Commission. (2011). Chapter 2: Lateral violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Retrieved from https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/publications/chapter-2-lateral-violence-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-communities

Clark, Y., & Augoustinos, M. (2015). What's in a name? Lateral violence within the Aboriginal community in Adelaide, South Australia. The Australian Community Psychologist, 27(2), 19-34.

Clark, Y., Augoustinos, M., & Malin, M. (2016). Lateral violence within the Aboriginal community in Adelaide: "It affects our identity and wellbeing". Journal of Indigenous Wellbeing, 1(1), 43-52.

Kalaski, A., Tyndall, M., & Clark, B. A. (2022). Indigenous Women's Experiences of Lateral Violence: A Systematic Literature Review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 23(5), 1577-1593. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380211073840

Whyman, T., Adams, K., Carter, A., & Jobson, L. (2021). Lateral violence in Indigenous peoples. Australian Psychologist, 56(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/00050067.2021.1893595

External links

Lateral violence (humanrights.gov.au)

Provide external links to highly relevant resources such as presentations, news articles, and professional sites. Use sentence casing. For example:

Contra-bullying and lateral violence at work(Psychology Today)
Bullying & lateral violence (Creativespirits.info)

Suggestions for this section:

Only select links to major external resources about the topic
Present in alphabetical order
Include the source in parentheses after the link