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Tarzia, L., Humphreys, C., & Hegarty, K. (2017). Translating research about domestic and family violence into practice in Australia: possibilities and prospects. Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice, 13(4), 709-722.

Posted by: admin Posted on: December 24, 2016 ,

Abstract: The volume of research being conducted into domestic and family violence is increasing, yet knowledge translation in this area lags behind other fields such as healthcare. Little is known about how to effectively harness and implement research findings in the ‘real world’, and there continue to be barriers to the use of rigorous research to inform government policy. In this paper, we explore key areas where the translation of domestic and family violence research into practice could be improved in Australia, as well as highlighting the challenges. We then suggest some recommendations for how these might be overcome.

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Researchers: Tarzia, L., Humphreys, C. & Hegarty, K

Year: 2016

Thiara, R. K., & Humphreys, C. (2017). Absent presence: the ongoing impact of men’s violence on the mother–child relationship. Child & Family Social Work, 22(1), 137-145.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2017 ,

Abstract:This paper draws from interviews with 45 mothers and 52 children who participated in an action research project to develop activities to support women and children in the aftermath of domestic violence. A thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and explore the question: In what ways does the perpetrator of abuse remain present in the lives of women and children following separation? The paper invites workers to recognize the distortions created by domestic violence that may need to be identified and addressed in the aftermath of violence. The ways in which past trauma, erosion of self‐esteem and the undermining of the mother–child relationship continues to create a shadow across the present relationship are identified. The continued presence of the perpetrator of abuse through child contact arrangements and ongoing harassment is also highlighted. The ‘absent presence’ of the abusive partner is posited as a concept to assist workers with a framework through which to understand problems in the mother–child relationship which emerge when living with and separating from a violent partner. The paper has implications for social workers orientating practice to focus on perpetrator accountability and support strengthening the mother–child relationship.

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Researchers: Thiara, R.K. and Humphreys, C

Year: 2017

Stanley, N., & Humphreys, C. (2017). Identifying the key components of a ‘whole family’ intervention for families experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Journal of Gender-based Violence, 1(1), 99-115.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2017 ,

Abstract: ‘Whole family’ interventions for families living with domestic violence and abuse (DVA) are emerging and some international practice examples are available. This study reports a process evaluation of a pilot delivered in Northern England that aimed to work with all members of families experiencing DVA. The evaluation involved analysis of detailed accounts of practice from learning logs and case workbooks as well as interviews with practitioners and family members. The voluntary nature of families’ involvement with the pilot, together with an explicit service philosophy of ‘meeting families where they are at’ appeared successful in engaging families. Pilot staff worked flexibly, seeing family members together and separately, but there was evidence of lower levels of confidence in work with perpetrators. Co-work enabled skills to be transferred to other professionals and social workers increased their use of risk assessment tools in DVA cases. However, there was uncertainty as to whether interagency communication improved across local agencies, and joint protocols and tools were slow to develop. This study is one of the first evaluations of ‘whole family’ interventions in DVA, and it illustrates how, when additional resources and organisational support are made available, a non-blaming approach that families find engaging can be developed.

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Researchers: Stanley, N., & Humphreys, C. (2017). Identifying the key components of a ‘whole family’ intervention for families experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Journal of Gender-based Violence, 1(1), 99-115.

Year: Stanley, N. & Humphreys, C.

McKibbin, G., Humphreys, C., & Hamilton, B. (2017). “Talking about child sexual abuse would have helped me”: Young people who sexually abused reflect on preventing harmful sexual behavior. Child Abuse & Neglect, 70, 210-221.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2017 ,

Abstract: Harmful sexual behavior carried out by children and young people accounts for about half of all child sexual abuse perpetration. The aim of this study was to draw on the insights of young people who had been sexually abusive to enhance the current prevention agenda. The study involved semi-structured interviews with 14 young people and six treatment-providing workers. Sampling was purposive and the young people had previously completed a treatment program for harmful sexual behaviour in Victoria, Australia. The young people were approached as experts based on their previous experience of engaging in harmful sexual behavior. At the same time, their past abusive behavior was not condoned or minimised. Constructivist Grounded Theory was used to analyse the qualitative data. Opportunities for preventing harmful sexual behavior were the focus of the interviews with young people and workers. The research identified three opportunities for prevention, which involved acting on behalf of children and young people to: reform their sexuality education; redress their victimization experiences; and help their management of pornography. These opportunities could inform the design of initiatives to enhance the prevention agenda.

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Researchers: McKibbin, G., Humphreys, C., & Hamilton, B.

Year: 2017

Tarzia, L., Murray, E., Humphreys, C., Glass, N., Taft, A., Valpied, J., & Hegarty, K. (2016). I-DECIDE: an online intervention drawing on the psychosocial readiness model for women experiencing domestic violence. Women’s Health Issues, 26(2), 208-216.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2016 ,

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:

Domestic violence (DV) perpetrated by men against women is a pervasive global problem with significant physical and emotional consequences. Although some face-to-face interventions in health care settings have shown promise, there are barriers to disclosure to health care practitioners and women may not be ready to access or accept help, reducing uptake. Similar to the mental health field, interventions from clinical practice can be adapted to be delivered by technology.

PURPOSE:

This article outlines the theoretical and conceptual development of I-DECIDE, an online healthy relationship tool and safety decision aid for women experiencing DV. The article explores the use of the Psychosocial Readiness Model (PRM) as a theoretical framework for the intervention and evaluation.

METHODS:

This is a theoretical article drawing on current theory and literature around health care and online interventions for DV.

RESULTS:

The article argues that the Internet as a method of intervention delivery for DV might overcome many of the barriers present in health care settings. Using the PRM as a framework for an online DV intervention may help women on a pathway to safety and well-being for themselves and their children. This hypothesis will be tested in a randomized, controlled trial in 2015/2016.

CONCLUSION:

This article highlights the importance of using a theoretical model in intervention development and evaluation.

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Researchers: Tarzia, L., Murray, E., Humphreys, C. , Glass, N. Taft, A., Valpied, J. & Hegarty, K.

Year: 2016

McKibbin, G., Humphreys, C., & Hamilton, B. (2016). Prevention‐enhancing interactions: a Critical Interpretive Synthesis of the evidence about children who sexually abuse other children. Health & Social Care in the Community, 24(6), 657-671.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2016 ,

Abstract: There is a growing interest in English‐speaking jurisdictions, including Australia, North America, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, about the prevention of sexual abuse perpetrated by children against other children. The aim of this review was to identify opportunities for research, policy and practice which could enhance the prevention agenda relating to the perpetration of sexual abuse by children through conducting a Critical Interpretive Synthesis. Eleven electronic databases were searched in the period from 22 April to 23 May 2013 and included: SocINDEX, Social Services Abstracts, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, Family and Society Studies Worldwide, Project Muse, PsychINFO, Family and Society Plus, Jstor, Expanded Academic ASAP, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Key individual journals were also searched, including Child Abuse and Neglect and the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, as well as the grey literature. The search was guided by the research question: How could the prevention agenda relating to sexual abuse perpetrated by children be enhanced? The systematic literature search yielded 3323 titles, and 34 of these papers were included in the final synthesis. The authors identified five domains operating in the evidence base: characteristics, causes, communications, interventions and treatments. A synthesising construct emerged from the review: prevention‐enhancing interactions. This construct referred to the potential for enhancing the prevention agenda which exists as the evidence domains interact with one another, and with the public health model of prevention. The authors consider this review to be a timely contribution to the current agenda pertaining to sexual abuse perpetrated by children. It provides researchers, policy makers and practitioners in the field with an evidence‐informed conceptualisation of opportunities for enhancing prevention work.

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Researchers: McKibbin, G., Humphreys, C. and Hamilton, B

Year: 2016

Ross, S., Healey, L., Diemer, K. & Humphreys, C. (2016). Providing an Integrated Response to Family Violence: Governance Attributes of Local Networks in Victoria Australian Journal of Public Administration. 75, 127–136.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2016 ,

Abstract: The establishment of integrated responses to family violence represents a significant implementation challenge for locally‐based networks. This research reports on the experiences of integrated family violence committees in Victoria, and the features of their governance associated with perceived effectiveness in committee functioning. There were consistent regional differences in the perceived effectiveness of committees. The main challenge for effective service integration was establishing and maintaining effective partnerships. There were substantial differences in the capacities of the committees to meet the challenges of integration, and the research points to the need for a stronger guidance and support role by central agencies.

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Researchers: Ross, S., Healey, L.,  Diemer, K. and Humphreys, C.

Year: 2016

Macvean, M., Humphreys, C., Healey, L., Albers, B., Mildon, R., Connolly, M., Parolini, A., & Spada-Rinaldis, Sophia. (2015). The PATRICIA Project: PAThways and Research In Collaborative Inter-Agency working: State of knowledge paper. ANROWS Landscapes, 14/2015.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2015 ,

Abstract:

A scoping review of evaluations of 24 models of interagency working between child protection, specialist domestic and family violence services, and family law was undertaken.1 Using a pre-determined framework of
interagency working, it examined aspects of interagency working. The overall key finding was that there is little definitive data on interagency working with child protection involvement because of insufficient evidence about what works for the services and systems or individuals being
served. This briefing paper outlines the other findings of the review and implications for policy, practice, and research

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Hooker, L., Small, R., Humphreys, C., Hegarty, K., & Taft, A. (2015). Applying normalization process theory to understand implementation of a family violence screening and care model in maternal and child health nursing practice: a mixed method process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial. Implementation Science, 10(1), 39.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2015 ,

Abstract:

Background
In Victoria, Australia, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services deliver primary health care to familieswith children 0–6 years, focusing on health promotion, parenting support and early intervention. Family violence(FV) has been identified as a major public health concern, with increased prevalence in the child-bearing years.Victorian Government policy recommends routine FV screening of all women attending MCH services. UsingNormalization Process Theory (NPT), we aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators of implementing anenhanced screening model into MCH nurse clinical practice.

Methods
NPT informed the process evaluation of a pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial in eightMCH nurse teams in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Using mixed methods (surveys and interviews),we explored the views of MCH nurses, MCH nurse team leaders, FV liaison workers and FV managers on implementation of the model. Quantitative data were analysed by comparing proportionate group differences and change within trial arm over time between interim and impact nurse surveys. Qualitative data were inductively coded, thematically analysed and mapped to NPT constructs (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring) to enhance our understanding of the outcome evaluation.

Results
MCH nurse participation rates for interim and impact surveys were 79% (127/160) and 71% (114/160),respectively. Twenty-three key stakeholder interviews were completed. FV screening work was meaningful and valued by participants; however, the implementation coincided with a significant (government directed) change in clinical practice which impacted on full engagement with the model (coherence and cognitive participation). The use of MCHnurse-designed FV screening/management tools in focussed women’s health consultations and links with FV services enhanced the participants’ work (collective action). Monitoring of FV work (reflexive monitoring) was limited.

Conclusions
The use of theory-based process evaluation helped identify both what inhibited and enhanced interventioneffectiveness. Successful implementation of an enhancedFV screening model for MCH nurses occurred in the contextof focussed women’s health consultations, with the use of a maternal health and wellbeing checklist and greatercollaboration with FV services. Improving links with these services and the ongoing appraisal of nurse work wouldovercome the barriers identified in this study.

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Researchers: Hooker, L., Small, R., Humphreys, C., Hegarty, K. and Taft, A.

Year: 2015

Taft, A. J., Hooker, L., Humphreys, C., Hegarty, K., Walter, R., Adams, C., Agius, P., & Small, R. (2015). Maternal and child health nurse screening and care for mothers experiencing domestic violence (MOVE): a cluster randomised trial. BMC Medicine, 13(1), 150.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2015 ,

Abstract:

Background

Mothers are at risk of domestic violence (DV) and its harmful consequences postpartum. There is no evidence to date for sustainability of DV screening in primary care settings. We aimed to test whether a theory-informed, maternal and child health (MCH) nurse-designed model increased and sustained DV screening, disclosure, safety planning and referrals compared with usual care.

Methods

Cluster randomised controlled trial of 12 month MCH DV screening and care intervention with 24 month follow-up.

The study was set in community-based MCH nurse teams (91 centres, 163 nurses) in north-west Melbourne, Australia.

Eight eligible teams were recruited. Team randomisation occurred at a public meeting using opaque envelopes. Teams were unable to be blinded.

The intervention was informed by Normalisation Process Theory, the nurse-designed good practice model incorporated nurse mentors, strengthened relationships with DV services, nurse safety, a self-completion maternal health screening checklist at three or four month consultations and DV clinical guidelines. Usual care involved government mandated face-to-face DV screening at four weeks postpartum and follow-up as required.

Primary outcomes were MCH team screening, disclosure, safety planning and referral rates from routine government data and a postal survey sent to 10,472 women with babies ≤ 12 months in study areas. Secondary outcomes included DV prevalence (Composite Abuse Scale, CAS) and harm measures (postal survey).

Results

No significant differences were found in routine screening at four months (IG 2,330/6,381 consultations (36.5 %) versus CG 1,792/7,638 consultations (23.5 %), RR = 1.56 CI 0.96–2.52) but data from maternal health checklists (n = 2,771) at three month IG consultations showed average screening rates of 63.1 %. Two years post-intervention, IG safety planning rates had increased from three (RR 2.95, CI 1.11–7.82) to four times those of CG (RR 4.22 CI 1.64–10.9). Referrals remained low in both intervention groups (IGs) and comparison groups (CGs) (<1 %).

2,621/10,472 mothers (25 %) returned surveys. No difference was found between arms in preference or comfort with being asked about DV or feelings about self.

Conclusion

A nurse-designed screening and care model did not increase routine screening or referrals, but achieved significantly increased safety planning over 36 months among postpartum women. Self-completion DV screening was welcomed by nurses and women and contributed to sustainability.

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Researchers: Angela J Taft, Leesa Hooker, Cathy Humphreys, Kelsey L Hegarty, Ruby Walter, Catina Adams, Paul Agius and Rhonda Small

Year: 2015