2020 – Violence Against Women and Children

Isobe, J., Healey, L. & Humphreys, C. (2020). A critical interpretive synthesis of the intersection of domestic violence with parental issues of mental health and substance use. Health and Social Care in the Community, 28(5), 1394–1407.

Posted by: Anna Bornemisza Posted on: November 2, 2020 2020 , Publication

Abstract:

A critical interpretive synthesis (CIS) methodology was used with the aim of informing practice with children and families when domestic and family violence (DFV) and parental issues relating to alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and mental health (MH) are also present. A CIS is grounded in the literature, but includes questioning of the literature in order to problematise gaps, contradictions and constructions of issues. A review of the literature from 2010 to 2018 was conducted with the structured search strategy identifying 40 relevant research articles. Synthesis and critique of these articles revealed three mutually informative themes through which to understand the literature and how it can inform practice. They were as follows: differences in theoretical approaches and client focus; complexity of system’s collaboration; and practices converging on mothers. Taken together, these themes facilitated the development of the synthesising construct: strengthening intersection between DFV, AOD and MH sectors. Attention to practice at multiple levels that responds to the dynamics of gender and the differing impacts of violence was often lacking, particularly in the context of heightened child protection concerns where collaboration between sectors is needed. Both promising and problematic practices relating to gender dynamics and accountability converged on mothers. While there were exceptions, generally, there was an absence of engagement with, and recognition of, the impacts of fathers’ patterns of using violence and control on adult and child survivors. Promising practice related to the strengthening of the mother–child relationship and attention to MH and its intersection with domestic violence. Strengthening the intersections between DFV, AOD and MH practices with attention to keeping the perpetrator of violence in view is critical to overcoming the poor practice that can occur when sectors are siloed from each other.

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Researchers: Isobe, J., Healey, L. & Humphreys, C.

Year: 2020

Practice-led research: Developing communities of practice to drive research and practice change in the domestic and family violence arena (2020)

Posted by: Rhys Lawry Posted on: June 16, 2020 2020 , Publication

Conducting practice research with migrants and refugees is a complex exercise, involving multiple agendas, diverse actors and varied intercultural relationships. Methodological challenges should not be underestimated, even when the research is conducted by an experienced practice researcher with prior knowledge of the cultural context. Before undertaking cross-cultural research, the practice researcher should consider both backstage and frontstage performativity. Backstage considerations refer to the political and cultural context and implications for trust and reciprocity with migrant and refugee communities. The frontstage performance refers to ethical considerations such as benefice, fidelity and the avoidance of harm by ensuring informed consent, guaranteeing anonymity and privacy, respecting subjects’ rights and applying findings for improved outcomes for clients.

The last consideration is a priority for practice researchers who are genuinely committed to improving the well-being of migrants and the effectiveness of social interventions in achieving improved social justice outcomes. Frontstage performance also involves the selection of methods that are culturally sensitive and safe, negotiating languages and translation and the recruitment of difficult-to-reach participants. Good intentions alone will not guarantee ethical anti-oppressive research.

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Diemer, K., Humphreys, C., Fogden, L., Gallant, D., Spiteri-Staines, A., Bornemisza, A., & Vercoe, E. (2020). Caring Dads Program: Helping fathers value their children (Research report, 02/2020). Melbourne, VIC.

Posted by: Anna Bornemisza Posted on: May 1, 2020 2020 , Publication

Abstract:

In Australia, there are few services helping men who have used violence that specifically focus on improving parenting practices. Caring Dads is Australia’s first evidence-based behaviour-change program helping fathers who have used violence to improve their relationship with their children. In an evaluation of the trial conducted by the University of Melbourne, the Caring Dads program has been shown to have a positive impact on fathers’ parenting and co-parenting practices, reduce the risk of children’s further exposure to domestic and family violence, increase fathers’ ability to identify the impact of their aggressive behaviour on their children, and improve men’s responses to people more generally.

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Researchers: Diemer, K., Humphreys, C., Fogden, L., Gallant, D., Spiteri-Staines, A., Bornemisza, A., & Vercoe, E.

Year: 2020

Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. (2020). Safe & Together Addressing ComplexitY for Children (STACY for Children): Key findings and future directions (Research to policy and practice, 22/2020). Sydney: ANROWS.

Posted by: Anna Bornemisza Posted on: February 17, 2020 2020 , Publication

Abstract:

The “STACY for Children” project was conducted across three research sites in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria by a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team of researchers. The project involved two studies that investigated whether there was emerging evidence that the Safe & Together™ Model (S&T Model), where it is implemented holistically (with
an authorising environment and strong collaborative practice), leads to better outcomes for children and families living with DFV and parental issues of AOD and/or MH.

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Researchers: Humphreys, C., Parolini, A., Healey, L., Kertesz, M., Tsantefski, M., Heward-Belle, S., O’Leary, P., Isobe, J., Tan, W. W., Jeffreys, C., Bornemisza, A., Young, A., Fogden, L.

Year: 2020

Humphreys, C., Kertesz, M., Parolini, A., Isobe, J., Heward-Belle, S., Tsantefski, M., … Healey, L. (2020). Safe & Together Addressing ComplexitY for Children (STACY for Children) (Research report, 22/20). Sydney: ANROWS.

Posted by: Anna Bornemisza Posted on: February 17, 2020 2020 , Publication

Abstract:

The STACY for Children project (2019–20) involved two studies that investigated whether there was emerging evidence that the Safe & Together™ Model, where it is implemented holistically, is leading to better outcomes for children and families living with domestic and family violence (DFV) and parental issues of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) use and/or mental health (MH) problems.

Study 1 focused on listening to the voices of those working and living at the intersection of DFV, AOD and MH. Researchers
gathered perspectives from practitioners and from clients from participating organisations about the implementation of an all-of-family approach to practice (i.e. each family member receiving attention or a service at intake).

Study 2 explored the implementation of the Safe & Together (S&T) approach in a particular trial site where a specialist worker is placed to support and inform the child protection process from a DFV-informed perspective. It used child case-level, de-identified administrative records to investigate whether the availability of the S&T Model as an approach to practice was associated with positive outcomes for children and families in an area where it had been proactively implemented.

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Researchers: Humphreys, C., Parolini, A., Healey, L., Kertesz, M., Tsantefski, M., Heward-Belle, S., O’Leary, P., Isobe, J., Tan, W. W., Jeffreys, C., Bornemisza, A., Young, A., Fogden, L.

Year: 2020

Warren, A., Martin, R., Chung, D. (2020) Women who use force: Final Report. Volume 3 – National Workforce Survey. Melbourne: University of Melbourne

Posted by: Anna Bornemisza Posted on: January 12, 2020 2020 , Publication

Abstract:

This is the final report (3 volumes) of a research program that has developed the Australian knowledge base about women who use force in a family context, and appropriate service responses. The research was funded by the Department of Social Services.

Volume 3 reports on a national workforce survey which found varying understandings and definitions of what constitutes women’s use of force and the extent to which it is considered different from men. The report identifies that there is some urgency in building knowledge about this area of work, as women who use force are seen regularly by study participants in their work.

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Researchers: Warren, A., Martin, R., Chung, D.

Year: 2020

Warren, A., Martin, R., Chung, D. (2020) Women who use force: Final Report. Volume 2 – International Literature Review. Melbourne: University of Melbourne

Posted by: Anna Bornemisza Posted on: January 12, 2020 2020 , Publication

Abstract:

This is the final report (3 volumes) of a research program that has developed the Australian knowledge base about women who use force in a family context, and appropriate service responses. The research was funded by the Department of Social Services.

Volume 2 reviews the international literature about women who use force in a family context. Women’s use of force cannot be categorised in the ways that men’s violence has been understood, differing in motivation, intent and impact.

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Researchers: Warren, A., Martin, R., Chung, D.

Year: 2020

Kertesz, M., Humphreys, C., Ovenden, G., Spiteri-Staines, A. (2020) Women who use force: Final Report. Volume 1 – Executive Summary, Positive Shift Program, Evaluation of Positive Shift, and Practice Framework. Melbourne: University of Melbourne

Posted by: Anna Bornemisza Posted on: January 12, 2020 2020 , Publication

Abstract:

This is the final report (3 volumes) of a research program that has developed the Australian knowledge base about women who use force in a family context, and appropriate service responses. The research was funded by the Department of Social Services.

Volume 1 contains a practice framework for intervening with this population, a description and evaluation of +SHIFT (a group work and case management program for women who use force) and the executive summary.

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Researchers: Kertesz, M., Humphreys, C., Ovenden, G., Spiteri-Staines, A.

Year: 2020