The Incarceration of First Nations Women: Theories of Violence

This article explores the argument that First Nations women are situated at the intersection of three key trajectories of violence: interpersonal violence, structural violence, and colonial violence. It is proposed that these interactions of different forms of violence underpin the increasing rates of incarceration for this population, who represent one of the fastest growing prison populations in Australia. While it is acknowledged that First Nations men face a similar crisis, the unique experience of criminalisation for First Nations women warrants a unique study of the violence perpetrated against them. This article examines the operation of these distinct, but overlapping, violences on First Nations women in Australia and identifies their interactions. This article aims to think differently about one of the key drivers of First Nations women’s incarceration.