Lateral Violence is the silent, hidden, historical and unconscious Violence that has been passed down in the oral histories of many of our people. It is no respecter of gender. In many instances, it lies dormant in a person’s psyche. Because of the colonial past, and how our ancestors were taught to survive the violent traumas of first contact, Violence in actions and words became so entrenched, that it went underground as it were. Lateral Violence evolved from the collective intergenerational traumatisation of peoples, as colonisation progressed. Aboriginal people learned how to survive by being violent toward the violent acts perpetrated toward them, by the first boat people.

It underpins DV, and for years DV has been seen as the Core factor in need of addressing. However, Lateral Violence is the intergenerational element of DV that if not recognised or addressed, will continue to victimise Aboriginal women and children.

Kultchafi is committed to Reconciliation in Action, delivering transformational training to heal and empower communities. Healing Circle Work Facilitator Training and Cultural Responsiveness Training have been developed over two decades with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders / Traditional Owners across Australia.

Healing Circle Work is intensive. It is not a therapy but therapeutic outcomes manifest. It demonstrates Aboriginal cultural ways of doing business “our” way. Participants are motivated to deal with trauma and life challenges with honesty, integrity, respect, decency and fairness to themselves and others.

A Healing Circle addresses:
• Stolen Generation trauma
• Displacement
• Abuse
• Isolation
• Alcohol and other substance abuse
• Domestic and Family Violence
• Gender issues

Sitting alongside Healing Circle Work is Cultural Responsiveness Training, designed to create true bridges of communication between the two World Views of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, based on a Healing Paradigm.