Healing and trauma services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE

Colonisation and oppression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have resulted in intergenerational trauma and systemic health inequities, making culturally responsive, healing-informed approaches that uphold self-determination essential. This review aimed to identify and describe healing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by trauma, violence or abuse.

METHOD: A four-step search strategy located peer-reviewed studies, grey literature reports and organisational websites (2012-2025).

RESULTS

Eighty services/programs were identified across Australia with 15 exemplars included. Most were delivered by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations spanning justice, family violence prevention, primary health care, and community services. All exemplars included culturally grounded components such as yarning, storytelling, and time on Country. Evaluations suggested improvements in wellbeing, cultural connection and family and community relationships, though evaluation approaches varied. Synthesis of 31 healing frameworks produced an umbrella framework encompassing three guiding principles and eight service elements, including culturally centred, community-led, and holistic approaches. Exemplar services are aligned strongly with this framework.

CONCLUSIONS

Healing-informed, culturally-grounded, community-led and flexible wrap-around approaches support wellbeing, cultural connection, and relationships for those affected by trauma, violence and abuse. Findings provide an evidence-informed framework for designing, delivering and evaluating future services, highlighting the need for Indigenous-led evaluation.