RESPECT FOR ALL AND HARM TO NONE

The theory behind lateral violence explains that this behaviour is often the result of disadvantage, discrimination and oppression, and that it arises from working within a society that is not designed for our way of doing things.

Lateral violence, also known as horizontal violence or intra-racial conflict, is a product of a complex mix of historical, cultural and social dynamics that results in a spectrum of behaviours that include:

• gossiping
• jealousy
• bullying
• shaming
• social exclusion
• family feuding
• organisational conflict
• physical violence.

Lateral violence is not just an individual’s behaviour. It often occurs when a number of people work together to attack or undermine another individual or group. It can also be a sustained attack on individuals, families or groups.

The use of the term ‘violence’ can be confusing. As Text Box 2.1 notes, it is important to understand that lateral violence doesn’t just refer to physical violence but also social, emotional, psychological, economic and spiritual violence.

Each Australian State and Territory enacted legislation that legalised the government’s control and management of the lives and destinies of Aboriginal peoples, and later Torres Strait Islanders. The legislation that defined Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity was based on abhorrent notions of blood quantum and based solely on the perspectives of the colonisers, rather than our own feelings on belonging and connection

Ironically, while the protection system developed complex blood quantum calculations to decide ‘how Aboriginal’ individuals were, they had no regard for the existing tribal, clan and family group divisions that are important markers of culture and identity. This resulted in groups who were forced off their own land being made to live in close quarters with those they should not associate with on missions and reserves. In the past, these tensions were managed through avoidance and other social controls but when different groups were forced onto missions and reserves, serious conflicts arose.

Our history of colonisation casts a dark shadow across our present. While lateral violence has its roots in our history, it thrives today because power imbalances, control by others, identity conflict, negative stereotypes and trauma continue to feed it.

Acceptance needs: We all have a strong need for dignity. We need to be accepted for who we are and to be treated with respect. When we experience discrimination, oppression, humiliation or marginalisation, we shall most probably resent it so deeply that we shall be willing to spend an extraordinary amount of effort – and even resort to violence – in order to address our frustration.

Access needs: This refers to the need of all people to have access to life sustaining resources (land, housing, water, employment, economic opportunities). It also refers to the need to participate in political and economic processes that control and regulate access to those resources. Access needs are frustrated when perceptions or practices of exclusion exist.

Security Needs: ‘Security’ is used here in the more holistic meaning of the word. It does not only refer to safety from physical harm and danger, but also safety from hunger and want. People need to feel safe; to have the sense of security that they may sleep in peace and have sufficient to eat. It is not only the actual experience of insecurity, but also the fear of future insecurity that drive conflict behaviour.

Lateral violence comes from identity problems. Identity is the sleeper. If you have a strong spirit all the rest of you is supported. When we don’t know who we are, something else jumps in to take that place.

Lateral violence clearly causes trauma for individuals, families and communities.

Importantly, we need to recognise that if we don’t work to address the trauma created by lateral violence, it will spill over into the next generation. It is crucial that we are serious about the trauma and harm that it causes and take steps to break the cycle now.

Lateral violence draws power from being nameless and invisible. The first step to tackling lateral violence is naming it and exposing the ways it impacts our communities. This allows us to then take a stand and declare zero tolerance for this sort of abuse in our communities.

- excerpt from the Social Justice Report, 2011

https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/publications/chapter-2-lateral-violence-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-communities