[BretLudwig]

Aborigines 'Don't Know Rape is Illegal'


By Tara Ravens

"More than 90 per cent of people in Arnhem Land do not understand basic
legal concepts, with many Aborigines under the impression that white
society is "lawless", a report has found.

This has resulted in wrongful imprisonment and "massive confusion", with
some communities still unaware that rape is considered illegal, says
Richard Trudgen, CEO of the Aboriginal Resource and Development Services
(ARDS).

In a report titled An Absence of Mutual Respect, researchers spoke to
Yolngu people from a cross-section of the community, including
interpreters, locals and community leaders.

They were quizzed on the 30 most commonly used English legal words such as
bail, commit, arrest, charge and guilty.

The ARDS report found 95 per cent of Yolngu people were unable to
correctly identify their meaning.

Only 17 per cent of responses from language professionals were correct
while 90 per cent of community leaders, such as ATSIC members, school
teachers and council representatives, had no understanding of the terms at
all.

Ninety-seven per cent of Yolngu people born after 1967 fell into the
lowest category of understanding.

"This research found that many Aboriginal people from Arnhem Land had
little comprehension of what was happening in the legal system," Mr
Trudgen said.

"This still leads to many outcomes that are unjust and can also be a
factor in some people getting into further trouble.

"Many elders also believe it is one of the main reasons for increased
crime on Aboriginal communities."

Mr Trudgen said the results explained the stark over-representation of
Aborigines in territory prisons €“ currently over 80 per cent €“ and why
increasing numbers of young males were falling foul of the law after moving
to large urban centres.

"People thought that pleading guilty actually got them through the court
quickly and they didn't go to jail," he said.

"There is massive confusion out there about white fella law point blank."

In conclusion, the report found many Aborigines were disempowered when it
came to dealing with the legal system, and it recommended communication
programs to bridge the gap.

It said Aboriginal people often thought they were functioning within a
lawless society because "they don't understand it so they see it as
lawless".

This can lead to "quite devastating consequences", said Mr Trudgen, who
referred to the case of an elder who had asked him if rape was illegal."

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[Shhhh! I'm Listening to Reason!]

On Jun 10, 8:52*pm, "BretLudwig" wrote:
Aborigines 'Don't Know Rape is Illegal'

But they *do* know that masturbating over photos of dead people is
wrong.

I think that shows their superiority to you, Bratzi.

[BretLudwig]

****R:

" Aborigines 'Don't Know Rape is Illegal'
by "Shhhh! I'm Listening to Reason!" Jun 10, 2008
at 09:13 PM

On Jun 10, 8:52=A0pm, "BretLudwig" wrote:
Aborigines 'Don't Know Rape is Illegal'

But they *do* know that masturbating over photos of dead people is
wrong.

I think that shows their superiority to you, Bratzi."

How illiberal of you, ****ter.

How do you know masturbation over dead women's images is wrong? If the
Bible is your standard, where does it say that? Please cite chapter and
verse. Or what guide to morality do you use?

Is masturbation OK if no pictures are used, or only those of the still
living?

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