Indigenous Perspectives on Using Technology as a Supportive Resource When Experiencing Family Violence

Abstract

Indigenous peoples face substantial barriers when accessing support for family violence. Delivering family violence resources through technological means has the potential to address barriers, but there is insufficient evidence of their acceptability and appropriateness with Indigenous populations. We interviewed 23 Australian Indigenous people to explore the acceptability of technological resources for family violence. Three focus groups then took place to determine the content and look of a potential online resource. Two main themes were developed through a process of thematic analysis. The first main theme, “They won’t feel like they are ever alone” focuses on the practicality and requirements of an online resource and contains three sub-themes. “Even if you’re poor you’ve got a phone”, “There has to be anonymity”, and “Overcoming barriers”. The second main theme “Connected, empowered and strong” is divided into two sub-themes that address the cultural requirements identified as necessary in making an online resource engaging: “A whole of community approach” and “Cultural safety and a healing space”. Indigenous people want co-designed, culturally safe and accessible online resources that provide anonymity, promote connection to culture and facilitate a healing process through drawing on Indigenous knowledge and strengths.

Keywords:

• e-health
• family violence
• Indigenous
• resource
• technology

Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge all of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples whose voices have informed the knowledge shares in this paper. We would also like to express our appreciation to the Wadawurrung community for allowing this research to take place on their lands.

Additional information

Funding

The first author is the recipient of an Australian Government Research Training Scholarship.