Through Black Eyes

A Handbook of Family Violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (1991–92)

Overview

Through Black Eyes is one of SNAICC’s earliest national resources addressing family violence, child abuse and child sexual abuse within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Published in 1991 and authored by Maryanne Sam, the handbook was developed as part of SNAICC’s national response to growing concerns raised by Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Agencies and community organisations about the impacts of violence on children, families and communities.

The resource came about from a national domestic violence conference convened by SNAICC in Canberra in 1989. Following this gathering, SNAICC was nominated to lead a national campaign on domestic violence and produce resources to support community awareness and action, including Through Black Eyes and accompanying materials carrying the messages Domestic Violence – Not Our Way and Child Sexual Abuse – Not Our Way.

The resource is intended as a community resource rather than a document solely for professionals; Through Black Eyes reflected SNAICC’s belief that family violence was a whole-of-community issue requiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions. The handbook explored the causes, impacts and experiences of family violence, including its effects on women, men, children, Elders and extended families, while encouraging communities to speak openly about violence and work collectively towards safety and healing.

A significant contribution of Through Black Eyes was its challenge to harmful narratives that normalised or excused violence. The handbook reinforced that family violence was not part of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture but was connected to complex historical and contemporary experiences including colonisation, dispossession, racism, social inequality and trauma. It called for accountability, community responsibility and culturally grounded responses that protected children and strengthened families.

The handbook became an important foundation for SNAICC’s ongoing work in child and family wellbeing. Its messages and approach informed later resources, including Through Young Black Eyes, first released in 2002 and updated in subsequent editions, which focused specifically on the impacts of family violence, child abuse and neglect on children and supported communities to develop child safety plans and responses.

Today, Through Black Eyes is an important historical record of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leadership in addressing family violence. It reflects SNAICC’s long-standing commitment to self-determination, community-controlled solutions and ensuring children grow up safe, connected to culture and supported by strong families and communities.