ABORIGINAL GIRLS CAMPS

Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [6.10 p.m.]: Tonight I inform the House of a number of innovative programs to address issues of crime, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual health and sexual assault, and domestic violence experienced by Aboriginal girls in the north-west of New South Wales. Recently the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit in the New England conducted a number of camps that were developed specifically to address issues experienced by Aboriginal girls in our local area. The first of those camps was called the Sista Girls, and targeted girls aged 7 to 16 years. At this camp, workshops were conducted on young people's health, breast checks and menstruation, personal hygiene, dental health and grooming, bullying, motivational talks on better life choices, drug and alcohol sessions, sexual health, healthy relationships, domestic violence and sexual assault. As part of the mission statement for the program, organisers have developed a model of practice to promote and acknowledge community-driven and facilitated solutions that are holistic as well as spiritually and culturally appropriate.

The camps are co-ordinated to break the cycle of everyday negativity associated with low socioeconomic public housing estates and the many social issues associated with them. Aboriginal people are three times more likely than non-Aboriginal people to be the victims of violent crime, and they are at an even higher risk of assault, sexual assault, robbery or partner abuse. Incarceration rates of Aboriginal people are five to six times higher than the national average. Identified risk factors including low family income, poor housing and unaddressed special needs all increase the likelihood of an Aboriginal child getting into trouble with the law when they become a teenager or adult. There is a strong belief from those who conducted the Sista Girls camps that childhood education can decrease that likelihood, and research shows that risk factors are most effectively addressed in childhood and youth, as it is the cumulative effect of multiple risk factors that is most damaging.

Another camp included the programs Miyay-Yinarr Health and Wellbeing Project, the Miss Indigenous Beauty Pageant and Ball, plus healthy relationships and violence prevention workshops, and its focus was aimed at Aboriginal girls aged 16 to 18 years. It is run by the Yinarr Health and Wellbeing Group, and includes community women and staff from the Tamworth Women's Refuge, the Tamworth Community Health Centre and the Sexual Health Unit. Yinarr is a committed, proactive group of Aboriginal women who are concerned about the social, emotional, cultural, physical and spiritual health and wellbeing of Aboriginal women, their children and the wider community. Issues of concern that were identified for exploration at that camp included the increasing dropout rate of young Aboriginal girls from the education system, the rising rate of teenage pregnancies, plus drug and alcohol abuse. The girls learnt about unhealthy relationships, domestic violence and sexual abuse, and were taught techniques to develop self-esteem and confidence. They were made aware of increasing numbers of sexually transmitted infections, especially chlamydia.

The group conducted many programs and workshops covering issues including healthy relationships, healthy choices, motivational talks, sexual health, domestic violence, sexual assault, spiked drinks, public speaking, deportment and grooming. The Hunter New England region has one of the highest birth rates in New South Wales at 6 per cent compared to 1.6 per cent in northern Sydney and the Central Coast, and has double the State average of teenage pregnancies. Of the 705 births recorded at Tamworth Base Hospital in 2004, 92 were teenage pregnancies. Of those, 36 were to Aboriginal teenagers aged between 12 and 18 years. Childbirth and sexually transmitted infections are major contributors to overall morbidity in the adolescent age group. Research indicates that some teenage pregnancies occur due to sexual inexperience and an inadequate understanding of their reproductive cycle. It seems that knowledge about reproductive matters and access to contraception can reduce unintended adolescent pregnancy.

Because of changes in social attitudes towards single parents and illegitimacy, plus the introduction of the Supporting Parent Benefit, there has been a dramatic fall in the number of teenagers choosing adoption should they fall pregnant and deliver a child. Teenagers as a group have significantly higher complication rates during pregnancy and delivery. In teenagers over 16 years, these can be attributed mainly to poor antenatal care, smoking and inadequate diet. It is also common for teenagers falling pregnant not to complete school, which may result in long-term unemployment or poorly paying job options. Teenage parents may also experience alienation from their peers and families. I wholeheartedly endorse these projects to the House as a creative community solution to very serious issues. I congratulate the Violence Against Women Specialist Unit in the New England and the Yinarr Health and Wellbeing Group on their innovative efforts to address these very serious issues. I am extremely pleased to note that moves are under way to set up similar programs for young Aboriginal males in the New England and north-west areas.