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Humphreys, C. & Healey, L. (2017). PAThways and Research Into Collaborative Inter-Agency practice: Collaborative work across the child protection and specialist domestic and family violence interface – The PATRICIA Program, Research Report. ANROWS Horizons, issue 3/2017. Sydney: ANROWS.

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

Abstract:

This Horizons report sets out the findings of the PAThways and Research In Collaborative Inter-Agency practice (the PATRICIA project). It is one of five publications by ANROWS related to the project. The PATRICIA project focused on the collaborative relationship between specialist community based domestic and family violence (DFV) support services
for women and their children, and statutory child protection (CP) organisations. The creation of a service system which responds to the safety and wellbeing of women and their children, alongside supporting accountability for those who perpetrate domestic and family violence (mainly, but not exclusively, male intimate partners and ex-partners), has
been a circuitous journey. It is a complex system to negotiate, not only for the woman and children, but also for workers, managers, and policy workers in child protection organisations and community sector or non-government organisations (CSOs/NGOs) (Stanley, Miller, Foster, & Thomson, 2011)

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Diemer, K., Humphreys, C., & Crinall, K. (2017). Safe at home? Housing decisions for women leaving family violence. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 52(1), 32-47.

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

Abstract:Internationally, domestic violence policy has shifted towards supporting women to stay at home with the perpetrator of violence excluded. However, the practical realities indicate that this is a complex arena in which the rhetoric of rights for “women and children to stay in their own home” needs to be underpinned by additional support to provide safety and protection for those choosing this option. The current study examines decision making about accommodation options and the role of civil protection orders among 138 women accessing domestic violence support services in Victoria Australia. It shines a light on the intersection between justice responses and the housing needs of women and their children leaving a violent relationship. Our findings reveal that for this sample of women, staying in their own home left them more open to breaches of intervention orders than those who re‐located. In spite of the frequency of breaching, a majority of women believed that they were safer with the protective order in place. We conclude that supporting women to “stay at home” with the perpetrator removed may be a pathway to safety for only a minority of women particularly if support from police and courts is not proactive and reliable.

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Researchers: Diemer, K., Humphreys, C. & Healey, L.

Year: 2017

Connolly, M., Healey, L. & Humphreys, C. (2017). The Collaborative Practice Framework for Child Protection and Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Services – the PATRICIA Project: Key findings and future directions. ANROWS Compass Research to policy and practice, issue 3/2017. Sydney: ANROWS.

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

Abstract:

PAThways and Research In Collaborative Inter-Agency practice
(the PATRICIA Project) is an action research project focused
on the collaborative relationship between specialist community based
domestic and family violence (DFV) support services for women and their children, and statutory child protection (CP) organisations. The PATRICIA Project drew together a diverse range of participants from five states of Australia (New South Wales [NSW], Queensland [Qld], South Australia [SA], Victoria [Vic.], and Western Australia [WA]).

The PATRICIA Project comprised five components of research, each with its own methodology, set within an action research framework (see full publication) that facilitated a process of changing things while simultaneously studying the “problems” of developing collaborative work and strengthening perpetrator accountability (Wicks, Reason, & Bradbury, 2008). The intended outcome was to use evidence to foster greater collaboration to support
the safety and wellbeing of women and their children, and
strengthen accountability for perpetrators of DFV.

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Diemer, K., Ross, S., Humphreys, C., & L. Healey (2017). A ‘double edged sword’: discretion and compulsion in policing domestic violence. Police Practice and Research: An International Journal, 18(4), 339-351.

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

Abstract:Policing domestic violence is a complex area in which there are divergent views about the extent to which front line police action should be mandated by legislation and guidance. This study set in Victoria, Australia raised questions about the balance between discretion and compulsion in policing domestic violence through researching the implementation of the Code of Practice used to respond to domestic violence incidents. The project team interrogated aggregate data from the police database on family violence and also interviewed 125 police members (60 sergeants and 65 constables) to explore the attitudes to the Code of Practice and policing domestic violence. The findings reveal that discretion within a range of options is circumscribed. Variable understandings of the nature of domestic violence and the role of risk assessment and management suggest that constrained and guided discretion may be required to achieve optimum effectiveness in policing responses to domestic violence.

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

Year: 2017

Pfitzner, N., Humphreys, C., & Hegarty, K. (2017). Research Review: Engaging men: a multi‐level model to support father engagement. Child & Family Social Work, 22(1), 537-547.

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

Abstract: While there is a growing body of work on using fatherhood as an opportunity to engage men in strategies to prevent child maltreatment and further acts of domestic violence, there is limited research on engaging fathers in strategies to prevent domestic violence from occurring. To fill this gap in the literature, this paper explores existing father engagement frameworks used in child and family services and supports a multi‐level model of father engagement for domestic violence primary prevention. Drawing together evidence about father engagement from a range of studies, including the more general parenting literature, we describe factors that influence father engagement based on an analysis of the literature. These factors include accessibility, staff attitudes and behaviours, programme marketing and the format of service provision.

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Researchers: Pfitzner, N., Humphreys, C. and Hegarty, K.

Year: 2017

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