The PIPSI Project (Prioritising Intersectoral Practice: Strategies and Innovations)
PIPSI is a three-year research initiative led by the Violence against Women and Children research team at the University of Melbourne and the National University of Samoa, in partnership with Griffith University and under the auspices of the Centre for Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW).
The project contains three components:
Australia-based project: enhancing cross-sector responses to DFV and substance use.
The project investigates how specialist domestic and family violence (DFV) services and non-specialist DFV services respond to families affected by or using violence and substances and explores the workforce development needs for effective service responses at the intersection of DFV and substance use. Key project activities include a national workforce mapping process, workforce consultations and the establishment of a Strategic Policy Group to inform policy and practice development (see below). PIPSI builds on the earlier KODY project.
Samoa-Based Project: Cultural and Faith-Based Responses to DFV.
This project, led by Louise Mataia, examines how traditional Samoan practices, religious and spiritual life, and cultural norms influence frontline responses to DFV. It focuses on the role of faith-based organisations and alcohol and drug (AOD) services in providing crisis and recovery responses for women and children experiencing DFV. The project involves interviews with victim-survivors and an evaluation of frontline, non-specialist services through a national survey and focus groups.
PIPSI includes the following PhD project:
Casey Cale: The experiences of Samoan and Pasifika women with frontline services and informal supports where domestic and family violence (DFV) and alcohol and other drugs (AOD) intersect within Shepparton, Victoria: A case study analysis.
Researchers:
University of Melbourne
- Hon. Professor Cathy Humphreys
- Dr. Margaret Kertesz
- Van Callaly
- Dilshad Zarine
- Casey Cale
National University of Samoa
- Dr. Louise Mataia
- Dr. Fetaomi Tapu-Qiliho
Griffith University
- Dr. Freya McLachlan
Funding:
This project is funded by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence against Women (CEVAW) through the Department of Social Work at the University of Melbourne
Project Dates:
2025-2028
Publications:
Kertesz, M., Callaly, V., McLachlan, F.& Humphreys, C. (In Press 2026). Substance use coercion: addressing the intersections of substance use and domestic and family violence. The Handbook of Violence Against Women in the Indo-Pacific Region, De Gruyter
The response to domestic and family violence in the context of substance use has traditionally been characterised by fragmentation and siloing of the work with men, women and children. However, new, innovative models and conceptualisations are emerging that recognise that alcohol and other drugs may be deployed as part of the tactics of violence and abuse – an aspect of coercive control. This chapter sets out a more nuanced approach to the intersection of substance use with domestic and family violence, and the implications for strengthening collaboration and a more holistic approach to service delivery.
Toivonen, C. & Kertesz, M. (2026). Keeping children and young people who have experienced domestic, family and sexual violence at the centre of the service response: A guide to engaging families. Melbourne: University of Melbourne
This Practice Resource focuses on strategies to keep children and young people who have experienced domestic, family and sexual violence at the centre of the service response. It provides detailed guidance, examples, and tips, and can be used, for example, in training and supporting staff, as a foundational reference for practice development, and continuous improvement.
Strategic Policy Group
Callaly, V. Kertesz, M. & Humphreys, C. (2025). Recent and current initiatives strengthening frontline responses to families experiencing both AOD and DFV issues (draft). November, 2025.
This report maps initiatives strengthening responses to families experiencing intersecting issues of AOD and DFV in Australia. This report, presented at the first PIPSI Strategic Policy Group meeting on 6 November 2025, synthesises consultations with 31 Australian professionals across AOD, DFV and family service sectors, and will be updated as practice in this area evolves.
Humphreys, C. Callaly, V. & Kertesz, M. (2025). Submission to the Health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia inquiry. Australian Government. October, 2025.
Contact:
Dr Margaret Kertesz
Email: mkertesz@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 9035 8508