Bringing healing to all our families

Lateral violence is when pain and frustration caused by colonisation, racism, and trauma gets turned sideways — onto our own people, families, or community.
It can include:

• Gossip, rumours, shame
   
• Bullying, jealousy, exclusion
   
• Undermining, intimidation, or blocking opportunities
   

It is hurt being passed on instead of healed.

Lateral violence is not culture.
It comes from:

• Colonisation and loss of land and language
   
• Stolen generations and disrupted family roles
   
• Racism and inequality
   
• Grief, stress, and powerlessness
   

When people feel unheard or unsafe, hurt can spill into community.

• Domestic and family violence = abuse in relationships or households
   
• Lateral violence = harmful behaviour between family/community members from internalised trauma
   

They can overlap, but lateral violence is often emotional or social harm.

Lateral violence creates:

• Family and community division
   
• Shame, stress, and mental health issues
   
• Disconnection for young people
   
• Barriers to progress and healing
   

It weakens culture, family, and belonging.

We heal by returning to cultural values:

• Respect, kinship, and listening
   
• Elders guiding conflict resolution
   
• Truth-telling and safe conversations
   
• Lifting each other up, not tearing down
   
• Getting support and healing when needed
   

Kindness and culture are our strength.

Lateral violence is a product of trauma — not who we are.
We protect our young ones and each other by practising respect, unity, and cultural strength.

When we support each other, we all grow strong.