1
|
Elder BC, Soldatić K, Schwartz MA, Barney J, Howard D, McGee P. Barriers Experienced by First Nations Deaf People in the Justice System. JOURNAL OF DEAF STUDIES AND DEAF EDUCATION 2024:enae021. [PMID: 38826120 DOI: 10.1093/jdsade/enae021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that members of the First Nations Deaf community experience more barriers when engaging with the criminal justice system than those who are not deaf. Therefore, our purpose for writing this article is to highlight legal and policy issues related to First Nations Deaf people, including perspectives of professionals working with these communities, living in Australia who have difficulty in accessing supports within the criminal justice system. In this article, we present data from semi-structured qualitative interviews focused on four key themes: (a) indefinite detention and unfit to plead, (b) a need for an intersectional approach to justice, (c) applying the maximum extent of the law while minimizing social services-related resources, and (d) the need for language access and qualified sign language interpreters. Through this article and the related larger sustaining project, we seek to center the experiences and needs of First Nations Deaf communities to render supports for fair, just, and equitable access in the Australian criminal justice system to this historically marginalized group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brent C Elder
- Department of Wellness and Inclusive Services in Education, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Dr., Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
| | - Karen Soldatić
- Canada Excellence Research Chair in Health Equity and Community Wellbeing (CERC), Toronto Metropolitan University, Institute of Culture and Society, Western Sydney University (Institute Fellow), 288 Church Street Toronto ON Canada M5B 1M5, Australia
| | - Michael A Schwartz
- College of Law, Syracuse University, 950 Irving Ave, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States
| | - Jody Barney
- The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, GPO Box 1536, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Damien Howard
- Phoenix Consulting, PO Box 793 Nightcliff 0814, Australia
| | - Patrick McGee
- The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, GPO Box 1536, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fitts M, Soldatic K. Temporalities of emergency: the experiences of Indigenous women with traumatic brain injury from violence waiting for healthcare and service support in Australia. HEALTH SOCIOLOGY REVIEW : THE JOURNAL OF THE HEALTH SECTION OF THE AUSTRALIAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 2024:1-15. [PMID: 38770642 DOI: 10.1080/14461242.2024.2345596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Globally, traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been recognised as a serious health issue not only because of the immediate impacts at the time the injury occurs but even more so due to the longstanding impacts. Even though TBI is a globally recognised condition, the research is disproportionately focused on its incidence in, and immediate and long-term effects on men. A growing body of research suggests that generally, women who experience family violence are at high risk of TBI and suffer its impacts in ways that reflect gendered differences in the patterns and frequency of violence. In Australia, the social and physical costs of TBI are multiplied for Indigenous women, whose experience of disability and access to healthcare lies at the intersection of gender and race in the historical context of settler colonialism. The present study addresses the need for research into the sociodemographic inequalities that affect access to culturally appropriate hospital care, timely response systems, and flexible, safe and engaged social services. This paper draws on data from interviews and focus groups with Indigenous women, hospital staff and community-based service providers and suggests potential pathways for further research in settler-colonial settings elsewhere in the world.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Fitts
- Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Karen Soldatic
- Canadian Excellent Research Chair Health Equity and Community Wellbeing, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fitts MS, Cullen J, Kingston G, Wills E, Johnson Y, Soldatic K. Using research feedback loops to implement a disability case study with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and service providers in regional and remote Australia. HEALTH SOCIOLOGY REVIEW : THE JOURNAL OF THE HEALTH SECTION OF THE AUSTRALIAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 2023; 32:1-16. [PMID: 36998179 DOI: 10.1080/14461242.2023.2173018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
While there is a well-developed body of literature in the health field that describes processes to implement research, there is a dearth of similar literature in the disability field of research involving complex conditions. Moreover, the development of meaningful and sustainable knowledge translation is now a standard component of the research process. Knowledge users, including community members, service providers, and policy makers now call for evidence-led meaningful activities to occur rapidly. In response, this article presents a case study that explores the needs and priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia who have experienced a traumatic brain injury due to family violence. Drawing on the work of Indigenous disability scholars such as Gilroy, Avery and others, this article describes the practical and conceptual methods used to transform research to respond to the realities of community concerns and priorities, cultural considerations and complex safety factors. This article offers a unique perspective on how to increase research relevance to knowledge users and enhance the quality of data collection while also overcoming prolonged delays of knowledge translation that can result from the research-production process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M S Fitts
- Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - J Cullen
- Synapse Australia, Brisbane, Australia
- College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - G Kingston
- Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, Australia
| | - E Wills
- Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, Australia
| | - Y Johnson
- Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, Australia
| | - K Soldatic
- Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, Australia
- School of Social Sciences, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Fitts MS, Cullen J, Kingston G, Wills E, Soldatic K. "I Don't Think It's on Anyone's Radar": The Workforce and System Barriers to Healthcare for Indigenous Women Following a Traumatic Brain Injury Acquired through Violence in Remote Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14744. [PMID: 36429463 PMCID: PMC9691172 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women experience high rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of violence. While healthcare access is critical for women who have experienced a TBI as it can support pre-screening, comprehensive diagnostic assessment, and referral pathways, little is known about the barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in remote areas to access healthcare. To address this gap, this study focuses on the workforce barriers in one remote region in Australia. Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 38 professionals from various sectors including health, crisis accommodation and support, disability, family violence, and legal services. Interviews and focus groups were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim and were analysed using thematic analysis. The results highlighted various workforce barriers that affected pre-screening and diagnostic assessment including limited access to specialist neuropsychology services and stable remote primary healthcare professionals with remote expertise. There were also low levels of TBI training and knowledge among community-based professionals. The addition of pre-screening questions together with professional training on TBI may improve how remote service systems respond to women with potential TBI. Further research to understand the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women living with TBI is needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle S. Fitts
- Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW 2751, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs, NT 0871, Australia
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Jennifer Cullen
- Synapse Australia, Brisbane, QLD 3356, Australia
- College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD 4878, Australia
| | - Gail Kingston
- Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, QLD 4814, Australia
| | - Elaine Wills
- Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Karen Soldatic
- Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW 2751, Australia
- School of Social Sciences, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW 2751, Australia
| |
Collapse
|