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Heward-Belle, S., Humphreys, C., Laing, L. & Toivonen, C. (2018). Intervening with children living with domestic violence: Is the system safe? Australian Social Work, 71, 135-147.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2018 ,

Abstract:This article examines cross-sector relationships that facilitated or impeded effective responses to women and children experiencing domestic violence. It reports on the findings of a study of 54 Australian professionals working in either statutory child protection, family law, or domestic violence and community services. Qualitative data gathered from focus groups with participants is the research base for this article. The study found that overwhelmingly the focus group participants described myriad policies and practices in the public sphere that could compound the impact of men’s violence against women in the private sphere.

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Researchers: Heward-Belle, S., Humphreys, C., Laing, L. & Toivonen, C.

Year: 2018

Healey, L., Humphreys, C., Tsantefski, M., Heward-Belle, S., Chung, D., & Mandel, D. (2018). Invisible Practices: Intervention with fathers who use violence: Key findings and future directions (Research to policy and practice, 04/2018). Sydney, NSW: ANROWS.

Posted by: admin Posted on: April 24, 2018 ,

Abstract:

The review of the literature (Humphreys & Campo, 2017, p.5) found that there was “no single definitive approach to intervention” in working with fathers who remain in the home or have significant contact with their children. Humphreys and Campo (2017, p.2), did, however, identify the following key messages:
• Very little evidence exists of effective, safe practice where there is DFV and mothers and fathers remain living together, or when they are co-parenting a children.
• A range of different responses have been developed from different areas of the service system to respond to families living with DFV, including nurse visitors, couple counselling, restorative justice, CP and whole of family approaches with vulnerable families.
• Where services have been developed, there are generally stringent conditions that support safety for all parties, including workers, when working with fathers who use violence.
• Whole of family approaches that engage each member of the family where there is DFV and focus on parenting represent emerging practice, with some promising developments.
• Workforce development is critical in an area where skilled work is essential to support the safety and wellbeing of all involved.

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Healey, L., Connolly, M., & Humphreys, C. (2018). A collaborative practice framework for child protection and specialist domestic and family violence services: bridging the research and practice divide. Australian Social Work, 71(2), 228-237.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2018 ,

Abstract: Practice frameworks bridge the divide between research and practice. This paper shows how the translation of research into policy and practice led to the development of a practice framework to foster greater collaboration between child protection (CP) and specialist domestic and family violence (DFV) services. The framework supports safety for adult and child victims and raises the standard of accountability for fathers who use violence. In researching the challenges of collaborative work between CP and DFV services, this framework developed from a parallel collaborative process involving researchers, practitioners, and policy representatives from government and nongovernment organisations across five Australian states.

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Researchers: Healey, L., Humphreys, C. & Connolly, C

Year: 2018

Humphreys, C., Healey, L., & Mandel, D. (2018). Case reading as a practice and training intervention in domestic violence and child protection. Australian Social Work, 71(3), 277-291.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2018 ,

Abstract: This article explores the role of a case-reading tool, developed by the Safe and Together Institute, deployed across five Australian states, and which engaged workers from child protection (CP) and specialist domestic and family violence (DFV) services. It aimed to assess the extent to which DFV is identified in CP case files and to assess the quality of case practice from a DFV-informed perspective, as documented in the case file. The Safe and Together approach to child welfare provides a robust foundation upon which practitioners from statutory and nonstatutory backgrounds can work collaboratively and reach consensus about how best to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children living with DFV. The case reading is both a process of transformative working for practitioners and an analytical tool through which their agencies can affect systemic change.

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Researchers: Humphreys, C., Healey, L. & Mandel, D

Year: 2018

Healey, L., Humphreys, C., Tsantefski, M., Heward-Belle, S., & Mandel, D. (2018). Invisible practices: Intervention with fathers who use violence (Research report, 04/2018). Sydney, NSW: ANROWS.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2018 ,

Abstract:

This project had its genesis in the need to develop effective and safe ways of working with fathers who use violence in order to better support women and children living with domestic and family violence (DFV). The DFV system, in particular, specialist women’s DFV services, developed
from interventions focused largely on supporting women and children living with DFV to separate from men who use violence. Separation has also been a key priority for the statutory child protection (CP) system that has often required women to leave violent men for the sake of the children, in spite of the danger and likely impoverishment of doing so, for many women and their children.
At the same time, family law with its “pro-contact culture” (Humphreys & Campo, 2017, p.5) presents potentially dangerous situations for adult and child victims/survivors alike in supporting fathers’ involvement with children despite their use of DFV (Hester, 2011). Further, intervention with men who use violence and control occurs mostly through justice responses and/or specialist men’s behaviour change programs (MBCPs) neither of which focus on fathering issues. While significant intervention with fathers occurs through CP and generic family service programs, workers’ practice with fathers who use DFV and control is neither documented nor evidence-based in the way it has occurred, for example, with MBCPs. In other words, to date, the nature of these practice interventions have been largely “invisible”.

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Healey, L., Humphreys, C., Tsantefski, M., Heward-Belle, S., Chung, D., & Mandel, D. (2018). Invisible Practices: Working with fathers who use violence. Practice guide. Sydney, NSW: ANROWS.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2018 ,

Abstract:

The Invisible Practices project looked at what skills and organisational supports are necessary to allow CP practitioners, specialist DFV practitioners, justice services and family services practitioners to work well with fathers who use violence. Invisible Practices was an action research project that involved a whole-of-family approach called the Safe & Together™ Model. The project harnessed practiceled knowledge at five geographic sites in Australia. In each area, an interagency community of practice (CoP) was established, and these CoPs were supported by consultants from the Safe & Together Institute. This practice guide is based on the learnings that emerged from the CoPs.

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Macvean, M. L., Humphreys, C., & Healey, L. (2018). Facilitating the collaborative interface between child protection and specialist domestic violence services: a scoping review. Australian Social Work, 71(2), 148-161.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2018 ,

Abstract: Service provision in domestic and family violence involves complex responses from multiple systems. Early evidence involving other sectors suggests interagency working may benefit service systems and providers. This points to possible benefits for service users. A scoping review of models of interagency working between child protection and either domestic violence services or family law services, or all three services, was undertaken to improve understanding of practices that may facilitate collaboration between child protection and other agencies. A systematic search of nine databases and 10 organisation websites was conducted. Results were screened against selection criteria and 24 models were identified. From those, 22 facilitators for collaboration emerged and were grouped according to five interagency collaboration enablers: shared vision; formalisation of the model; authorising environment; leadership; and information sharing. These facilitators and enablers can be used to guide policy and practice development toward more integrated services for families experiencing domestic and family violence.

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Researchers: Macvean, M., Humphreys, C., Healey, L.

Year: 2018

Lamb, K., Humphreys, C., & Hegarty, K. (2018). “Your behaviour has consequences”: Children and young people’s perspectives on reparation with their fathers after domestic violence. Children and Youth Services Review, 88, 164-169.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2018 ,

Abstract: This paper presents findings from qualitative research undertaken in Australia with children and young people who have experienced domestic violence aged 9 to 19 years. The aim was to explore children and young people’s perspectives on fathering in the context of domestic violence as well as the key messages they believe fathers who attend a program to address their violence need to know. This paper will focus on some of the findings of the study, with a particular focus on the issue of reparation which was identified as a strong theme in children and young people’s accounts.

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Researchers: Lamb, K., Humphreys, C. & Hegarty, K

Year: 2018

McLindon, E., Humphreys, C., & Hegarty, K. (2018). “It happens to clinicians too”: an Australian prevalence study of intimate partner and family violence against health professionals. BMC Women’s Health, 18(1), 113.

Posted by: admin Posted on: May 24, 2018 ,

Abstract:

Background

The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of intimate partner and family violence amongst a population of Australian female nurses, doctors and allied health professionals.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional survey in a large Australian tertiary maternity hospital with 471 participating female health professionals (45.0% response rate). The primary outcome measures were 12 month and lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence (Composite Abuse Scale) and family violence.

Results

In the last 12 months, one in ten (43, 11.5%) participants reported intimate partner violence: 4.2% (16) combined physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse; 6.7% (25) emotional abuse and/or harassment; 5.1% (22) were afraid of their partner; and 1.7% (7) had been raped by their partner. Since the age of sixteen, one third (125, 29.7%) of participants reported intimate partner violence: 18.3% (77) had experienced combined physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse; 8.1% (34) emotional abuse and/or harassment; 25.6% (111) had been afraid of their partner; and 12.1% (51) had been raped by their partner. Overall, 45.2% (212) of participants reported violence by a partner and/or family member during their lifetime, with 12.8% (60) reporting both.

Conclusion

Intimate partner and family violence may be common traumas in the lives of female health professionals, and this should be considered in health workplace policies and protocols, as health professionals are increasingly urged to work with patients who have experienced intimate partner and family violence. Implications include the need for workplace manager training, special leave provision, counselling services and other resources for staff.

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Researchers: McLindon, E., Humphreys, C. & Hegarty, K.

Year: 2018

Forsdike, K., Humphreys, C., Diemer, K., Ross, S., Gyorki, L., Maher, H., … & Hegarty, K. (2017). An Australian hospital’s training program and referral pathway within a multi‐disciplinary health–justice partnership addressing family violence. Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, 42(3), 284-290.

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

Abstract:

Objective: An innovative health–justice partnership was established to deliver legal assistance to women experiencing family violence who attended an Australian hospital. This paper reports on a multifaceted response to build capacity and willingness of health professionals to identify signs of family violence and engage with referral pathways to on‐site legal assistance.

Methods: A Realistic Evaluation analysed health professionals’ knowledge and attitudes towards identification, response and referral for family violence before and after training; and use of referral pathways.

Results: Of 123 health professionals participating in training, 67 completed baseline and follow‐up surveys. Training improved health professionals’ self‐reported knowledge of, and confidence in, responding to family violence and understanding of lawyers’ roles in hospitals. Belief that patients should be referred to on‐site legal services increased. Training did not correspond to actual increased referrals to legal assistance.

Conclusion: The program built capacity and willingness of health professionals to identify signs of, and respond to, family violence. Increase in referral rates to legal assistance was not shown. Potential improvements include better data capture and greater availability of legal services.

Implications for public health: Strong hospital system supports and reliable recording of family violence referrals need to be in place before introducing such partnerships to other hospitals.

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Researchers: Forsdike K, Humphreys C, Diemer K, Ross S, Gyorki L, Maher H, Vye P, Llewelyn F, Hegarty K.

Year: 2017