Yarning circles empower First Nations men in FDV prevention
A series of yarning circles held in Geraldton and Mullewa, 400 km north of Perth, is helping First Nations men open up about family and domestic violence (FDV) and what it means to be a "healthy Aboriginal man".
The initiative, led by researchers from the WA Centre for Rural Health (WACRH), provided a safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys to share their experiences and support each other.
The study involved 100 Indigenous men with diverse lived experiences—some were victims of domestic violence, while others had been perpetrators. Discussions took place in open, natural settings, which proved to be more effective than traditional indoor meetings in front of a power point screen. Participants were encouraged to speak openly about their struggles while others listened without judgment.
"Men get the chance to get it off their chest and talk about it without having someone judging them or putting them down or looking at them in a type of way," Midwest Aboriginal Men's Empowerment project officer and Yamatji man Levi Thorne told ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt.
The sessions also focused on recognising trigger points and understanding the broader impact of domestic violence on their communities. Yadhiagana/Wuthathi man Uncle Mick Adams, who was involved in the study, noted that many participants felt heard for the first time.
"A lot of the older men, and some of the younger men, have never had that opportunity to come in and talk about their issues, so we thought we'd find out more about them," Uncle Mick said.
One key takeaway from the discussions was the importance of addressing the issue from all angles. "The government looks at stopping it [domestic violence], and they talk to the victims," Uncle Mick said. "You've got to talk to offenders, otherwise they keep offending."
For many, the experience was transformative. "Just being in a group you can trust, that you like, it was really interesting because some of the boys never even spoke before," said Amangu Yamatji man Daniel Warner. "We let it all out."
The project celebrates the power of yarning circles in reinforcing cultural values and "the right way of being." With additional funding secured for another two years, the initiative will expand into the Midwest town of Northampton. The next phase will focus on encouraging men to become positive role models and engage others in FDV prevention within their communities.