Indigenous leaders in Queensland are calling for “cultural healing centres” to be established to help break intergenerational crime cycles in the State.

Darumbal Youth Justice leader Kiah Woodall, who gave evidence at last month’s Youth Justice Reform hearing in Rockhampton advocating for support vulnerable mothers and their unborn babies, believes the centres would go a long way to identifying solutions to youth crime.

“You have elders visiting. You’re doing cultural therapy, you’re doing narrative therapy, [it’s] a place of cultural connection and healing,” Ms Woodall told the ABC.

“This is changing the narrative from … ‘Child Safety came and told me I had to do this’ to ‘I went to this healing facility and now I belong to a community and my baby’s not going to be taken’ … because of how it was dealt with, rather than a punitive action.”

International research has shown a high prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in young people in correctional facilities and the ideas proposed has gained support from senior Queensland police and politicians.

Assistant State Minister for Health Brittany Lauga has embraced the proposal.

“I think it’s a great idea,” she said.

“I’m always open to hearing ideas and suggestions from our Indigenous elders, they are so wise and have so much experience and knowledge.

AAP

Main image: ABC