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.

Dr Caroline Atkinson currently lives in PNG undertaking community development work with a focus on trauma and violence. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Social Work and a PhD focussing on trauma and violence in indigenous communities in Australia.