This research project aims to capture the experiences and comprehensively understand the needs of Samoan and Pasifika communities when seeking support from frontline services. We want to understand both the formal and informal pathways that Samoan families use, with a focus on how the community seek support for sensitive issues including domestic and family violence (DFV) and alcohol and other drug (AOD) use.

Researchers:

• Dr Margaret Kertesz (Project Supervisor)  
• Professor Cathy Humphreys 
• Professor Sarah Wendt  
• Dr Louise Mataia Milo  
• Dr Marion Muliaumaseli’i  
• Casey Cale (PhD Student)

Funding:

This project is funded by the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) through the Department of Social Work at the University of Melbourne as part of Frontline Practice Responses to Violence Against Women. 

Partners: 

CEVAW: https://cevaw.org/ 

Safer Families Centre: Safer Families Centre 

Project Dates:

2025-2028 

Contact: 

Dr Margaret Kertesz or Casey Cale