Resources
Books and Papers
The Violence Continuum
by Dr Caroline Atkinson
Aboriginal Male Violence and Generational Post Traumatic Stress. PhD Thesis by Caroline Atkinson
The extent to which an individual’s history of being exposed to violence as a child contributes to later-life incarceration for violent crime is explored within the Aboriginal Australian context. The author used information obtained during interviews with men who were incarcerated for violent offences to inform this question and to develop a psychometric instrument to accurately measure traumatic stress and symptoms in Aboriginal Australian people with cultural safety.
The results of her qualitative and quantitative analyses support the link between being exposed to violence and later life incarceration and identified the history of widespread traumatic stress and its trans-generational transfer as key contributors. The research suggests that the incarceration rates and stress levels will increase across generations without the implementation of an effective evidence-based program for change.
This book explains the cycle that feeds the Violence Continuum that afflicts Aboriginal Australian communities and will be useful for those studying trauma in its cross-cultural context; providing a strong foundation for the development of programs addressing trans-generational trauma.
Trauma Trails
by Emeritus Professor Judy Atkinson AM
The Transgenerational Effects of Trauma in Indigenous Australia
Providing a startling answer to the questions of how to solve the problems of generational trauma, Trauma Trails moves beyond the rhetoric of victimhood, and provides inspiration for anyone concerned about Indigenous and Non-Indigenous communities today.
Beginning with issues of colonial dispossession, Judy Atkinson also sensitively deals with trauma caused by abuse, alcoholism, and drug dependency. Sharing their stories, contributors also demonstrate the Aboriginal gift to the nation – Dadirri: listening to one another, and the way in which it provides a way forward.
By inviting Non-Indigenous people to sit with them in the circle, sharing stories, listening to and learning from each other, song lines emerge of a courageous journey, pointing us in the direction of change and healing.
Judy Atkinson is of Jiman and Bundjalung descent as well as having Celtic-German heritage, and is an Emeritus Professor at Southern Cross University, where she was Head of Gnibi College. She has worked within areas of Aboriginal community health and welfare for many years.
Humanising Mental Health Care in Australia
edited by Richard Benjamin, Joan Haliburn and Serena King
Contains a chapter by Judy Atkinson
A Guide to Trauma-informed Approaches, 1st Edition
Humanising Mental Health Care in Australia is a unique and innovative contribution to the healthcare literature that outlines the trauma-informed approaches necessary to provide a more compassionate model of care for those who suffer with mental illness. The impact of abuse and trauma is frequently overlooked in this population, to the detriment of both individual and society. This work highlights the importance of recognising such a history and responding humanely.
The book explores the trauma-informed perspective across four sections. The first outlines theory, constructs and effects of abuse and trauma. The second section addresses the effects of abuse and trauma on specific populations. The third section outlines a diverse range of individual treatment approaches. The final section takes a broader perspective, examining the importance of culture and training as well as the organisation and delivery of services.
Written in an accessible style by a diverse group of national and international experts, Humanising Mental Health Care in Australia is an invaluable resource for mental health clinicians, the community managed and primary health sectors, policy makers and researchers, and will be a helpful reference for people who have experienced trauma and those who care for them.
Trauma-informed services and trauma-specific care for Indigenous Australian Children
A Resource sheet produced by the Closing the Gap Clearinghouse
This report provides comprehensive information on trauma in Indigenous Australian children.
It examines the effects of trauma while also providing an overview of recent government initiatives implemented to address the negative consequences of trauma exposure in childhood and adulthood.
The report also describes the delivery of trauma-informed services and trauma-specific care. Complementing the information in this report is the inclusion of an appendices containing lists of relevant publications and resources.
Videos + Podcasts
“The Value of Deep Listening – The Aboriginal Gift to the Nation”
Prof. Judy Atkinson TEDx Talk (2018)
“Closing Plenary for SNAICC Conference – Keynote (2013)”
Prof. Judy Atkinson
Melaleuca Place Launch (2014)
Prof. Judy Atkinson
An ‘Educaring’ approach to healing generational trauma in Aboriginal Australia – Trauma Informed Care and Practice Conference – Mental Health Coordinating Council Part 1 (2011)
Prof. Judy Atkinson and Dr Caroline Atkinson
An ‘Educaring’ approach to healing generational trauma in Aboriginal Australia – Trauma Informed Care and Practice Conference – Mental Health Coordinating Council Part 2 (2011)
Prof. Judy Atkinson and Dr Caroline Atkinson
An ‘Educaring’ approach to healing generational trauma in Aboriginal Australia – Trauma Informed Care and Practice Conference – Mental Health Coordinating Council Part 3 (2011)
Prof. Judy Atkinson and Dr Caroline Atkinson
Epiphanies: Judy Atkinson on The Sprit of Things ABC Radio National (2006)
Prof. Judy Atkinson
Other publications
Addressing Individual and Community Transgenerational Trauma
Judy Atkinson, Jeff Nelson, Robert Brooks, Caroline Atkinson and Kelleigh Ryan
