Stories that matter

The ‘Stories that Matter’ project aims to build a better understanding of how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s experiences with the criminal legal system are different, using yarning sessions with Indigenous people with lived experience and service providers working in this field in Western Australia. Our findings confirm the lasting impacts of colonisation and intergenerational trauma, which create the conditions that lead Indigenous people into engagement with the criminal legal system. Findings also demonstrate ongoing systemic bias and discrimination throughout the criminal legal system, undermining the trust of Indigenous people. The project delivers a strong and shared message that penal reform is only possible by, and with, Indigenous people and shows the need for government agencies and researchers to support and contribute to Indigenous self-determination.