I never thought that I would say this, but I appreciate Stephen Hagan's personal candour and the article in general.

Both indigenous and non-indigenous perpetrators of violence against women and their children are homogeneous to the extent they seek power and control over their victims.

"It was never a cultural trait to wilfully violate the innocence of our children or brutalise our women" because women were empowered with women's business, the traditional version of women's legislatures and a women's jurisidiction at law.

Violence against women and their children was introduced into Australia by Europeans who prohibited women's business, and still do.

To "seriously consider giving up alcohol and/or drugs and/or gambling and/or their insane jealousy conspiracy theories" should reduce the incidence of violence against women and their children to the levels currently found in non-indigenous communities where one in four women is raped or sexually assaulted by the age of 18 [http://2mf.net/news158.htm ], but does not address the cause.

Violence against all Australian women and children can be eliminated with reform to the Constitution of Australia to provide for law enacted by agreement between women's legislatures and men's legislatures presided over by elders accompanied by courts of women's and men's jurisdiction.
[http://2mf.net/power_and_control:_rape_and_the_Constitution.htm ]

Whistler "Violence against women and their children was introduced into Australia by Europeans who prohibited women's business"

This comment is ridiculous. You are suggesting that there was no violence against women in Australia prior to European colonization. Do you have any proof?

Stephen,
I commend you an this article and I hope other aboriginal families take your lead in protecting their kids from abuse. I fully support the NT intervention solely for the reason of protacting the women and kids. In fact I would advocate the restrictions on welfare payments to all parents where kids are not properly cared for. The incidence is a dammed discrace for all humanity.

Stezza,
Whistler cannot provide proof for his outrageous claim. He is a nutter who will use anything to push his ridiculous idea of having a seperate male and female legislature. Stupidity in the extreme.

Thank you Stephen for your honesty and willingness to deny yourself some things in order to prevent others from stumbling. Violence in the white community has and will continue to increase against women and children and the institution of marriage is devalued and mocked. Add pornography, drugs and alchohol and you are left with a perverted society where decency is hard to find. Recent football scandals are only the tip of the iceberg. Some of my closest friends are aboriginal and I long for the day when many of their family members follow your example.

I have critizised your views in the past but see from this article that you long for the best outcome for your people. Both black and white have the same desires and dreams for their kids. Child abuse and violence against woman destroy these desires.

You seem to be asking for the readers opinion .
I don't know exactly what the rules were regarding age of consent , if I remember correctly you would be incorrect about the girl and the adult , that he had been "Promised the Girl" is not relevant ,I'm not sure whether the girls willingness was a issue either thats what happened and where tribal law was respected ,or is respected today ; probably still happens . If this is the case I would be very reticent to proclaim guilt ; however intoxication might find me ? I think the situation changes when the Girl menstruates , I am sure thats right if my memory's right about 55 yrs hence.

I think Frank Hardy covered some of your 'Questions' in either
"Poor Fellow My Country" or "Capricornia" ; even if they don't supply answers you will appreciate the illustration of life in those times .
My apologies if I have misunderstood your expectations .