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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
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Results for family violence (australia)
22 results foundAuthor: Bromfield, Leah Title: Issues for the Safety and Wellbeing of Children in Families with Multiple and Complex Problems: The Co-occurrence of Domestic Violence, Parental Substance Misuse, and Mental Health Problems Summary: The factors most commonly associated with the occurrence of child abuse and neglect, and identified in families involved with child protection services, are domestic violence, parental substance abuse and parental mental health problems. The significance of parental substance misuse, mental health problems and domestic violence is made clear in the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children, which states “A particular focus is sustained on key risk factors of mental health, domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse” (Council of Australian Governments, 2009). Families in which parents present with these problems are often situated within a wider context of exclusion and disadvantage (e.g., housing instability, poverty, low education, social isolation and neighbourhood disadvantage). Parents may also be struggling to come to terms with their own experiences of trauma and victimisation. These types of problems are complex, often inter-related, and chronic in nature and rarely occur in isolation. Where these problems occur within families, the families are described as “families with multiple and complex problems”. This paper investigates the separate impacts of parental substance misuse, domestic violence and parental mental health problems. It presents evidence regarding the extent to which these problems co-occur and a discussion of the wider context of exclusion and disadvantage, its causes and its consequences. Finally, it provides an overview of research and theory for working with families with multiple and complex problems. Details: Melbourne: National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2010. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: NCPC Issues No. 33: Accessed March 21, 2011 at: http://twitemail.com/users/14808835/5/attachment/20101215-%20The%20Safety%20&%20Wellbeing%20of%20Children%20in%20Families%20with%20Multiple%20&%20Complex%20Problems.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://twitemail.com/users/14808835/5/attachment/20101215-%20The%20Safety%20&%20Wellbeing%20of%20Children%20in%20Families%20with%20Multiple%20&%20Complex%20Problems.pdf Shelf Number: 121083 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProtectionDomestic ViolenceFamily Violence (Australia)Mental HealthSubstance Abuse |
Author: Australian Institute of Criminology Title: Domestic-Related Homicide: Keynote Papers from the 2008 International Conference on Homicide Summary: In December 2008, the Australian Institute of Criminology held an international conference on homicide with a focus on domestic-related homicide. The conference provided an opportunity to learn about international and national developments in research, policy, and practice. This report includes the papers of keynote speakers, with an emphasis on policy- and practice-relevant research. Topics included: men who murder an intimate women partner; homicide followed by suicide; intimate partner homicide and familicide in Western Australia; homicide among remote-dwelling Australian Aboriginal people; reducing intimate partner homicide rates; and public policy changes over three decades regarding the impact for victims of intimate partner violence and homicide. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2009. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Research and Public Policy Series no. 104: Accessed April 7, 2011 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/C/C/3/%7BCC334155-D9E6-4635-84FB-32A81C3A3C69%7Drpp104_001.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/documents/C/C/3/%7BCC334155-D9E6-4635-84FB-32A81C3A3C69%7Drpp104_001.pdf Shelf Number: 121269 Keywords: Domestic AssaultFamily Violence (Australia)HomicideIntimate Partner Violence |
Author: Australia. Family Law Council. Title: Improving Responses to Family Violence in the Family Law System: An Advice on the Intersection of Family Violence and Family Law Issues Summary: This report to the Federal Attorney-General focuses on family violence if and when it becomes visible in the Family Law system in Australia. This visible pattern is only the tip of the iceberg of family violence, alcoholism, drug addiction and mental illness which is apparently entrenched in Australia. The Family Law Council report is only one of the multiple studies in progress at present on the causes, effects and responses to family violence in Australia. The report recommends: The definition of “family violence” in the Family Law Act be widened to include a range of threatening behaviour. That the Attorney General establish an expert panel under the direction of the Australian Institute of Family Studies to create an easy-to-understand “common knowledge base” on the known patterns and effects of family violence. This easily accessible information will assist to provide common and up-to-date information to all those involved in the family relationship and legal systems, including parents, relatives, counsellors, mediators, FRCS, legal aid officers, lawyers and courts. The Law Council of Australia and the Family Law Council co-operate to revise the booklet “Best Practice Guidelines for Lawyers Doing Family Law Work” to incorporate detailed information on family violence. A number of reforms take place to improve co-ordination and collaboration between the state and territory child protection agencies, and the federal Family Law Act, including: the transportability of state family violence injunctive orders; the establishment of a national register of family and violence orders ; and the establishment of a network data base which records family violence orders, and a residual family court power to require state Child Protection Agencies to become parties to Family Law Court proceedings about children. A further report be prepared on whether FDRP should be required to provide a report to the Family Law Courts or other bodies in some or all structure where family violence is admitted or suspected. The forms notifying the Family Law Courts about family violence be simplified. Consideration be given on how to educate the Australian public about certain widespread misunderstandings of the Family Law Act including: o Recurrent gossip that notification of family violence may lead to a judicial perception that the notifier is an “unfriendly parent” o Widespread perception that each parent now has a “starting right” to equal time (50/50) with children o Common belief that a parent will receive both substantial time with a child, and equal shared parental responsibility, (similar to historic (“guardianship”), despite a history of poor communication and hostility between parents; and despite the long term health and emotional consequences for children as casualties on such parental battlefields. These recommendations of the Family Law Council will need to be amalgamated with the various reports on family violence emerging in the next year. Details: Barton, ACT, AUS: Family Law Council, 2009. 102p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 20, 2011 at: http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(3273BD3F76A7A5DEDAE36942A54D7D90)~Family_Violence_Report.pdf/$file/Family_Violence_Report.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(3273BD3F76A7A5DEDAE36942A54D7D90)~Family_Violence_Report.pdf/$file/Family_Violence_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 121451 Keywords: Child ProtectionDomestic ViolenceFamily Violence (Australia)Victims of Family Violence |
Author: Hovane, Victoria Title: Closing the Gap on Family Violence: Driving Prevention and Intervention Through Health Policy Summary: Family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities remains a significant social issue with far-reaching implications for service provision in the health arena, with impacts including: physical injuries; depression, trauma and anxiety; sexually transmitted disease; and substance use. Despite these significant health consequences, family violence has generally not been prioritised in health policy or responses. Instead, policing, legal/judicial and women’s policy approaches have become the key responses to addressing family violence in Australia, as in many western countries. Given that the health system often deals directly with the consequences of family violence, it is ideally placed to play an important role in preventing and responding to family violence. The paper examines the potential for health policies, like the Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes strategy, to better engage with the issue of family violence and, thereby, address a major contributor to poor health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Details: Sydney: Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2011. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Issues Paper 21: Accessed July 7, 2011 at: http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/IssuesPaper_21.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/IssuesPaper_21.pdf Shelf Number: 122002 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily Violence (Australia)Health CareIndigenous PeoplesIntimate Partner Violence |
Author: Migrant Information Centre, Eastern Melbourne Title: Family violence Within the Southern Sudanese Community: Project Evaluation Report Summary: Settling in Australia can be a long and difficult process for refugee families. Many people from refugee backgrounds have experienced repeated exposure to traumatic events prior to their arrival in Australia, including torture, time spent in dangerous refugee camps and loss or separation from close family members. In addition to this, the process of settlement and adjustment to a complex and unfamiliar society is often a baffling and stressful experience for families. This places huge demands on families who are also struggling with coming to terms with a different set of societal and cultural rules. Such pressures can contribute to family conflict and relationship breakdown. The Migrant Information Centre (Eastern Melbourne) (MIC) received funding from the Australian Government, Office for Women to develop and implement a project to draw on the knowledge and strengths of the Southern Sudanese community around issues of family violence. As a newly arrived refugee community, the Southern Sudanese have identified family breakdown as a significant issue that is impacting on family relationships within the community. Coupled with this is the apparent lack of understanding amongst some members of the Southern Sudanese community around Australian laws and practices and community services available to assist with family conflict and family violence. Through the development and implementation of the project, both prevention and intervention approaches to working with the Southern Sudanese community were piloted between August 2007 and November 2008. This paper evaluates the processes taken to develop the various aspects of the project and the effectiveness of the approaches taken through their implementation. The MIC acknowledges that these approaches are a contribution to the learning within the field in Australia, building on the knowledge to overcome family violence within the Southern Sudanese community. Details: Melbourne: Migrant Information Centre, 2008. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 27, 2011 at: http://www.miceastmelb.com.au/documents/PROJECTEVALUATION(pdf).pdf Year: 2008 Country: Australia URL: http://www.miceastmelb.com.au/documents/PROJECTEVALUATION(pdf).pdf Shelf Number: 122179 Keywords: Family Violence (Australia)MigrantsMinority Communities |
Author: Australia. Family Law Council Title: Improving Responses to Family Violence in the Family Law Aystem: An Advice on the Intersection of Family Violence and Family Law Issues Summary: This report to the Federal Attorney-General focuses on family violence if and when it becomes visible in the Family Law system in Australia. This visible pattern is only the tip of the iceberg of family violence, alcoholism, drug addiction and mental illness which is apparently entrenched in Australia. The Family Law Council report is only one of the multiple studies in progress at present on the causes, effects and responses to family violence in Australia. The report recommends: The definition of “family violence” in the Family Law Act be widened to include a range of threatening behaviour. That the Attorney General establish an expert panel under the direction of the Australian Institute of Family Studies to create an easy-to-understand “common knowledge base” on the known patterns and effects of family violence. This easily accessible information will assist to provide common and up-to-date information to all those involved in the family relationship and legal systems, including parents, relatives, counsellors, mediators, FRCS, legal aid officers, lawyers and courts. The Law Council of Australia and the Family Law Council co-operate to revise the booklet “Best Practice Guidelines for Lawyers Doing Family Law Work” to incorporate detailed information on family violence. A number of reforms take place to improve co-ordination and collaboration between the state and territory child protection agencies, and the federal Family Law Act, including: the transportability of state family violence injunctive orders; the establishment of a national register of family and violence orders ; and the establishment of a network data base which records family violence orders, and a residual family court power to require state Child Protection Agencies to become parties to Family Law Court proceedings about children. A further report be prepared on whether FDRP should be required to provide a report to the Family Law Courts or other bodies in some or all structure where family violence is admitted or suspected. The forms notifying the Family Law Courts about family violence be simplified. Consideration be given on how to educate the Australian public about certain widespread misunderstandings of the Family Law Act including: o Recurrent gossip that notification of family violence may lead to a judicial perception that the notifier is an “unfriendly parent” o Widespread perception that each parent now has a “starting right” to equal time (50/50) with children o Common belief that a parent will receive both substantial time with a child, and equal shared parental responsibility, (similar to historic “guardianship”), despite a history of poor communication and hostility between parents; and despite the long term health and emotional consequences for children as casualties on such parental battlefields. These recommendations of the Family Law Council will need to be amalgamated with the various reports on family violence emerging in the next year. Details: Barton, ACT, Australia: Australia Attorney-General's Department, Family Law Council, 2009. 102p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 5, 2011 at: http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(3273BD3F76A7A5DEDAE36942A54D7D90)~Family_Violence_Report.pdf/$file/Family_Violence_Report.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/rwpattach.nsf/VAP/(3273BD3F76A7A5DEDAE36942A54D7D90)~Family_Violence_Report.pdf/$file/Family_Violence_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 118821 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectDomestic ViolenceFamily Violence (Australia)Intimate Partner Violence |
Author: Kirkwood, Debbie Title: Behind Closed Doors: Family Dispute Resolution and Family Violence Summary: Under the new family law system in Australia it is compulsory for separating parents to attempt family dispute resolution (FDR) prior to taking their parenting dispute to court. Although there is an exception for family violence cases, many women who have experienced such violence will undertake FDR either because the violence is not detected or because it is not seen to impact on their capacity to participate. Some women who have experienced family violence may choose to engage in FDR given the limited alternatives available in the family law system. DVRCV and other services are concerned about the impact of the new system on victims of family violence. In this Discussion Paper, DVRCV outlines these concerns, including the potential for the emphasis on FDR to push family violence further ‘behind closed doors’ to be dealt with in the private arena of FDR. Taking a pragmatic approach to these issues at a practice level, the paper then attempts to address the following questions: How can FDR services effectively identify and respond to victims of family violence? Under what conditions should services proceed with providing FDR to separating couples when family violence has been identified? A range of complex practice dilemmas and issues are discussed, including: the pros and cons of using FDR; the risks with using FDR in family violence cases; ways in which FDR services can identify and respond to family violence; issues in screening and risk assessment for family violence; the potential benefits of specialised FDR formats (such as shuttle mediation or co-mediation) for family violence clients; recommendations for policy and practice in this area. Details: Melbourne: Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre, 2007. 79p. Source: Discussion Paper No. 6: Internet Resource: Accessed March 6, 2012 at http://www.dvirc.org.au/PublicationsHub/BehindClosedDoorsDVIRCDiscussionPaper2007.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Australia URL: http://www.dvirc.org.au/PublicationsHub/BehindClosedDoorsDVIRCDiscussionPaper2007.pdf Shelf Number: 124389 Keywords: Dispute Settlement (Australia)Family Violence (Australia)Victims Services (Australia) |
Author: Southwell, Jenni Title: Family Violence and Homelessness: Removing the Perpetrator from the Home Summary: Women and children who are subjected to family violence are vulnerable to homelessness. The traditional focus of social policy responses has been on supporting them to leave situations of family violence, through funding a network of emergency and transitional accommodation. More recently, there is increased policy interest in identifying strategies to assist victims of family violence to remain safely in their homes, while the perpetrator of the violence is removed. DVIRC’s Discussion Paper presents suggestions as to how policy can be directed to removing violent men from the family home, evaluates the two main legal interventions that exist in Victoria to enable this to happen, and discusses obstacles typically faced by those who pursue these legal interventions. The paper also explores some of the strategies and initiatives that have emerged elsewhere to address the problems identified, and recommends ways of making positive change. Details: Melbourne: Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre, Melbourne, 2002. Source: Discussion Paper No. 3: Internet Resource, Accessed March 6, 2012 at http://www.dvrcv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/DVIRC3v1.pdf Year: 2002 Country: Australia URL: http://www.dvrcv.org.au/wp-content/uploads/DVIRC3v1.pdf Shelf Number: 124391 Keywords: Family Violence (Australia)Homelessness (Australia)Protective Orders |
Author: New South Wales. Audit Office Title: Responding to domestic and family violence Summary: Domestic and family violence damages too many people in our community. In 2010, NSW Police responded to over 126,000 incidents involving domestic and family violence. It is also present in 50 per cent of households where children are abused, and contributes to nearly 20 per cent of homelessness. Australian studies indicate that domestic and family violence contributes to death, ill health and disability amongst women under 45 years of age more than any other single factor, including smoking or obesity. Domestic and family violence is estimated to cost the NSW economy more than $4.5 billion each year. The NSW Government recognises that domestic and family violence requires a coordinated response, particularly from the NSW Police Force (Police), Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS), NSW Ministry of Health and the Department of Attorney General and Justice (DAGJ). This audit assessed how well government and funded non-government organisations work together to respond to domestic and family violence. We use the words ‘organisation’, ‘health’ and ‘human services’ to refer to both government and non-government sectors unless specified otherwise. NSW Health is used to describe health services operated by the NSW Government. Organisations generally work together to improve the safety of victims when there is an overt and serious crisis, particularly when children are involved. After the crisis, there is some coordinated follow-up in a growing number of locations. These initiatives operate in isolation without common oversight or a plan to extend them across the State. Organisations fail to respond to most of the domestic and family violence that occurs largely because it is not reported. They are not providing a solution that works or lasts for many victims and perpetrators. Apart from Police and DAGJ, government organisations do not know how much their day to day operations are affected by domestic and family violence. Organisations do not have a strategy for working together across the State in response to domestic and family violence. There is no shared understanding between organisations of each others roles in providing a more responsive system that encourages people to seek help and provides them with support when they do so. Two in three victims of violence do not go to the Police and we found no progress in reducing this high level of under-reporting. There was no significant increase in the amount of domestic and family violence reported to Police between 2006 and 2010. On average, domestic and family violence kills 36 people each year, but only one in ten victims were known by Police to be in an abusive relationship in the year before their deaths. Nearly half of the 92,215 victims and 81,772 perpetrators, who came to the attention of Police in 2010 over family and domestic violence incidents, had a history of such incidents over the preceding five years. Twelve per cent (10,680) of victims had been victimised five or more times and 16 per cent (12,980) of perpetrators had been identified as perpetrators five or more times. Domestic and family violence generates a significant amount of work for Government including nine per cent of police call-outs, 13 per cent of persons charged in Local Courts and significant health and welfare activity. Better information about the effect of domestic and family violence on organisations could help set priorities and drive a more balanced and strategic response to domestic and family violence. There are no standard ways to access services for victims and perpetrators that might help prevent ongoing violence. Unlike Victoria, Western Australia and parts of England, New South Wales does not have a common framework to identify domestic and family violence, assess risk, prioritise need and refer people to services. The lack of coordination is a particular problem for repeat victims and perpetrators, many of whom have complex mental health, drug and alcohol problems and are difficult to work with. New South Wales has trialled a range of projects to improve the way that organisations work together to support vulnerable people in particular communities. Many of these projects have been evaluated, found to help and continue to be funded. Some have been expanded to other communities, but there is no plan to consolidate or mainstream these approaches across the State. The response to domestic and family violence remains fragmented and access to help depends on where you live. Government and non-government staff dealing with domestic and family violence at the State and local level told us the biggest challenges they faced were a lack of the following: coordination, an effective way to refer people, safe accommodation for victims and children, training and perpetrator programs. In its current form the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Action Plan does not provide an adequate framework for coordination. There is no implementation plan, no performance indicators for monitoring progress and no comprehensive mapping of available services. Details: Sydney: Audit Office of New South Wales, 2011. 48p. Source: http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/143/Responding_Performance Audit: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at to_Domestic_Family_Violence_Full_Report.pdf.aspx Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/143/Responding_Performance Audit: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2012 at to_Domestic_Family_Violence_Full_Report.pdf.aspx Shelf Number: 124580 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family Violence (Australia) |
Author: Wilcox, Karen Title: Family Law and Family Violence: Research to Practice Summary: The last ten years have seen a growth in the knowledge base around children's need for safe, stable and secure environments. There is a deepening understanding of the harm and damage that occurs when safety and security are compromised, and children are exposed to threats and fear. Yet, responses to families experiencing violence and abuse have not always kept pace with these advances in research. The laws, systems and services with which families engage can fail to provide or support the factors necessary to enable children to thrive. They may instead undermine the work of protective and safe parents who are attempting to create such environments. At their worst, bureaucratic and legal interventions can become the catalysts that lead to increased or ongoing harm or trauma. It is in the interests of all practitioners and professionals whose work has an impact on families, therefore, to ensure that they do not exacerbate the damage faced by children exposed to violence, instead that their work supports the circumstances that enable children to heal, thrive and grow. This Research into Practice Brief considers how practitioners can use the evidence base to better understand and improve the experiences of children and their protective parents when they engage with family law systems, post-separation from the abuser. The paper aims to provide discussion points and practice reflections for family law sector professionals working at the intersection of these two fields, and to better equip domestic violence sector workers to engage with this sector around their shared concerns. Details: Sydney: Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse, The University of New South Wales, 2012. 14p. Source: Research & Practice Brief No. 2: Internet Resource: Accessed March 21, 2012 at http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/Research_&_Practice_Brief_2.pdf?zbrandid=2039&zidType=CH&zid=2561317&zsubscriberId=503577326&zbdom=http://aracy.informz.net Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/PDF%20files/Research_&_Practice_Brief_2.pdf?zbrandid=2039&zidType=CH&zid=2561317&zsubscriberId=503577326&zbdom=http://aracy.informz.net Shelf Number: 124638 Keywords: Domestic Violence (Australia)Family Violence (Australia) |
Author: Schneller, Edwina Title: Family Violence Courts Summary: In Australia and internationally there is growing recognition of the limitations of the criminal justice system in responding to complex social issues. One response is in the form of the creation of specialist courts. In Australia, there are a range of specialist courts covering: family violence, drug dependent offenders, Indigenous offenders, and mentally impaired offenders. This e-brief looks specifically at specialist family violence courts (FVCs). As background, selected overseas developments are discussed, as are various Australian innovations, including the NSW Domestic Violence Intervention Court Model (DVICM) pilot. A starting point for much of the analysis is the 2010 joint report by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) and NSW Law Reform Commission (NSWLRC), Family Violence–A National Legal Response, (ALRC & NSWLRC's Joint Report). The key recommendation of the Joint Report was that State governments should establish or further develop specialised family violence courts within existing courts in their jurisdictions. In 2010, in response to that report, the former NSW Attorney General, John Hatzistergos, raised the issue of creating specialist FVCs. Mr Hatzistergos and the former Premier, Kristina Keneally, announced that the Government would establish a working group to examine the implementation of FVCs in NSW. Advice received from the Criminal Law Review Division, Department of Attorney General Justice suggests that the working group never eventuated. Details: Sydney, NSW, Australia: NSW Parliamentary Research Service, 2012. 17p. Source: NSW Parliamentary Research Service e-brief: Internet Resource: Accessed June 19, 2012 at http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/publications.nsf/0/F37538FCF4F02174CA257A14001D3465/$File/Family+Violence+Courts+EBRIEF+12.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/Prod/parlment/publications.nsf/0/F37538FCF4F02174CA257A14001D3465/$File/Family+Violence+Courts+EBRIEF+12.pdf Shelf Number: 125382 Keywords: Family Violence (Australia)Family Violence Courts (Australia)Problem-Solving Courts (Australia) |
Author: Arney, Fiona Title: Men's Places: Literature Review Summary: This report provides detail from a review of the literature regarding the prevention of and response to family violence with a focus on engaging Aboriginal men in remote communities. The literature review has been derived at the request of Department of Children and Families in the Northern Territory Australia to inform efforts in violence protection and response with a focus on men. A search of the peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted to report on the practice and programs related to (i) community-focused activity for men aimed at reducing family violence before it occurs and (ii), community focused activity aimed at providing effective responses to men involved in family violence. The literature review focuses on activity that has been successful in (i) remote Australian communities and (ii), activity that has been successful in remote indigenous communities of other countries. The literature review highlights the need to work with Aboriginal men for their own healing as people that experience violence and for the benefit of family and community where men perpetrate violence. In Aboriginal communities, it is more than likely that abusive men will remain in the lives of their partners for a range of reasons. The review also highlights the limitations of mainstream law and order approaches to reducing family violence in Aboriginal communities, but also describes the lack of a solid evidence base for community based approaches to preventing and responding to violence. The review describes approaches for engaging men in service delivery, and the need to incorporate models which accurately represent men’s attitudes to violence, health, service delivery and behaviour change. Details: Darwin, NT, Australia: The Centre for Child Development and Education, Menzies School of Health Research, 2012. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 7, 2012 at: http://ccde.menzies.edu.au/sites/default/files/Arney%20Westby%202012%20Mens%20Places.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://ccde.menzies.edu.au/sites/default/files/Arney%20Westby%202012%20Mens%20Places.pdf Shelf Number: 125899 Keywords: AboriginalsAbusive MenDomestic ViolenceFamily Violence (Australia)Violence Against Women |
Author: Cripps, Kyllie Title: Communities Working to Reduce Indigenous Family Violence Summary: This brief describes some of the promising efforts to reduce Indigenous family violence in Australia and overseas, including both government and community initiatives, as well as support mechanisms and measures for victims. Some of Memmott et al.’s (2001) nine categories of violence program types are adopted as headings: support programs; behavioural reform programs; community policing and monitoring programs; justice programs; mediation programs; education and awareness programs; and composite programs. Evaluations of alcohol restrictions are also considered. Details: Canberra: Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse, 2012. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Brief 12: Accessed August 13, 2012 at: http://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/briefs/brief012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/briefs/brief012.pdf Shelf Number: 125997 Keywords: AboriginalsFamily Violence (Australia)Indigenous PeoplesIntimate Partner ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Cussen, Tracy Title: ACT Family Violence Intervention Program Review Summary: This Technical and Background Paper reports on an AIC review of the Australian Capital Territory’s Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP). The FVIP provides an interagency response to family violence matters that have come to the attention of police and then proceeded to prosecution. The scope of the review was to analyse the program’s activities and outcomes using 2007–08 data provided by participating agencies, supported by in-depth interviews with key stakeholders including victims whose matters had been finalised in court. After the completion of this report, additional data from 2008–09 and 2009–10 was made available by some FVIP participating agencies. Although not within the scope of this evaluation, these data pointed to some preliminary improvements in the FVIP. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2012. 166p. Source: Internet Resource: Technical and Background Paper 52: Accessed October 24, 2012 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tbp/41-60/tbp052.aspx Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tbp/41-60/tbp052.aspx Shelf Number: 126795 Keywords: Domestic ViolenceFamily Violence (Australia)Victims of Family ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Nicholas, Roger Title: Breaking the Silence: Addressing Family and Domestic Violence Problems in Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Practice in Australia Summary: This literature review examines the relationships between alcohol and other drug (AOD) use and “family and domestic violence” (FDV) in the context of AOD treatment settings. It focuses on strategies that may be developed to enhance the responses of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment providers to FDV issues affecting clients and their children. Details: Adelaide, South Australia: National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders University, 2012. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 24, 2012 at: http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/files/6513/5285/7437/EN469_Nicholas_2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://nceta.flinders.edu.au/files/6513/5285/7437/EN469_Nicholas_2012.pdf Shelf Number: 126989 Keywords: Alcohol AbuseAlcohol Treatment ProgramsChild Abuse and NeglectDomestic ViolenceDrug Abuse and AddictionDrug TreatmentFamily Violence (Australia) |
Author: Walsh, C. Title: Victorian Systemic Review of Family Violence Deaths - First Report Summary: This Victorian Systemic Review of Family Violence Deaths (VSRFVD) commenced operation in the Coroners Court of Victoria in 2009. Led by the State Coroner, it focuses attention on the context in which family violence-related homicides and homicide-suicide incidents occur. Through coroners’ findings, comments and recommendations, the VSRFVD contributes to strengthening the response to family violence in this state. This report presents the key findings of the VSRFVD during 2009-2012. It draws upon the analysis of deaths involving infants, children and adults, across a range of relationship categories. Findings from the two main activities of the VSRFVD are presented in detail: data collection and analysis, and in-depth case review. Homicide statistics reveal that deaths among intimate partners and other family members form a substantial proportion of the total number of incidents recorded each year. In particular, intimate partner homicides typically comprise the largest category of these deaths. Section 1 of this report presents a descriptive statistical overview of the frequency of intimate and familial homicide in Australia and other high-income countries. A central component of the VSRFVD involves data collection and analysis of homicide, including homicide among family members. Section 2 of this report presents an overview of these deaths in Victoria for the period 2000-2010. A substantial proportion of homicides identified by the CCOV during this period were determined to be relevant to the VSRFVD. Specifically, just over half (53%) involved an intimate partner or other family member, or otherwise occurred in a context of family violence. Among deaths of relevance to the VSRFVD, intimate partner homicides comprised the largest group (47%), followed by incidents involving parents and children (26%). Although males comprised a larger proportion of the total number of homicides that were identified, females were more often killed by an intimate partner or other family member. Domestic and family violence death reviews conducted in other jurisdictions typically consider relevant deaths as a connected group, rather than isolated incidents. This approach enables the identification of common patterns or themes among fatal events. Accordingly, Section 3 of this report presents the findings of a thematic analysis of 28 case reviews completed by the VSRFVD team for metropolitan and regional coroners. Many of the known risk and contributory factors associated with escalating and severe violence described in the research literature were identified as relevant to the incidents that were examined. These included: a history of family violence; relationship separation; threats of harm; alcohol misuse; and the presence of a mental illness. In addition, factors associated with the increased vulnerability of victims, such as having a disability or culturally and linguistically diverse background, were noted among the cases that were reviewed. Additional themes that emerged included: barriers for victims disclosing family violence; a need for increased community understanding and recognition of this problem; and the regularity of victim contact with the health and justice system. A broad spectrum of family violence deaths feature in this report. The evidence gathered confirms the need to be cognisant of recognised risk factors and the importance of building a responsive service system that is able to identify and respond appropriately. The system gaps, coronial recommendations and associated responses presented in this analysis are a valuable starting point from which further research and prevention efforts can be made. Accordingly, Section 4 draws attention to three focus areas for strengthening the service system, increasing victim safety and improving the response to family violence in this state. Details: Melbourne: Coroners Court of Victoria, 2012. 71p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 5, 2012 at: http://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/resources/54bbc2f9-bb23-45c0-9672-16c6bd1a0e0f/vsrfvd+first+report+-+final+version.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/resources/54bbc2f9-bb23-45c0-9672-16c6bd1a0e0f/vsrfvd+first+report+-+final+version.pdf Shelf Number: 127133 Keywords: Child HomicideFamily Violence (Australia)HomicideIntimate Partner Violence |
Author: Wendt, Sarah Title: Evaluation of the Sturt Street Family Violence Partnership Program Summary: The Sturt Street Supported Tenancy Accommodation Project (referred to hereafter as the Sturt Street Project) was set up to provide transitional accommodation (3-6 months) for Aboriginal women and children (up to 6 women/family groups at a time) experiencing family violence and/or homelessness, offering an intensive support service on-site, with an extended outreach service post-transition (up to 12 months). One of the conditions of funding was that the Project be evaluated within its funded lifespan, which has been extended to 30 June 2010. The Aims of the Evaluation: Examine client profile and service activity to determine numbers assisted and characteristics of the client group; Investigate service outcomes for women and families post-transition from the program; Explore perceptions of service from the clients' perspectives; Determine both facilitators and barriers to success of the project; Explore service effectiveness perceived by other stakeholders; and Recommend opportunities for improvement if needed. Details: Adelaide: University of South Australia, Flinders University, 2010. 112p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2013 at: http://www.dcsi.sa.gov.au/pub/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=qTN2eK-DgqI%3D&tabid=607 Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.dcsi.sa.gov.au/pub/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=qTN2eK-DgqI%3D&tabid=607 Shelf Number: 128004 Keywords: Aboriginal WomenAbused WivesBattered WomenDomestic ViolenceFamily Violence (Australia)Indigenous WomenIntimate Partner ViolenceViolence Against Women |
Author: Kaspiew, Rae Title: Evaluation of a Pilot of Legally Assisted and Supported Family Dispute Resolution in Family Violence Cases. Final report Summary: Evidence of the prevalence of a history of past and/or current family violence among separated parents, and the presence of ongoing safety concerns for themselves and their children as a result of ongoing contact with the other parent, has created an impetus for the family law system to find more effective ways of dealing with families affected by family violence. In July 2009, the Federal Government announced funding for a pilot program to provide assistance, including family dispute resolution (FDR), to such families. Subsequently, Women’s Legal Service Brisbane (and other consultants) were funded by the Attorney- General’s Department (AGD) to develop a model for coordinated family dispute resolution (CFDR). CFDR is a service for separated families who need assistance to resolve parenting disputes where there has been a history of past and/or current family violence. It is being implemented in five sites/lead agencies across Australia: Perth (Legal Aid Western Australia), Brisbane (Telephone Dispute Resolution Service [TDRS], run by Relationships Australia Queensland), Newcastle (Interrelate), Western Sydney (Unifam) and Hobart (Relationships Australia Tasmania). TDRS made adaptions to the model to accommodate its telephone-based service. The pilot commenced operation at most sites in the final quarter of 2010. Implementation in one location (Brisbane) was delayed until mid-2011 to allow time to finalise the composition of the partnership. CFDR is a process where parents are assisted with post-separation parenting arrangements where family violence has occurred in the relationship. The process involves a case manager/family dispute resolution practitioner (FDRP), a specialist family violence professional (SFVP) for the person assessed to be the “predominant victim” in the language of the model, a men’s support professional (MSP) for the person assessed to be the “predominant aggressor” (when they are male),a a legal advisor for each party and a second FDRP. Child consultants are part of the professional team and may be called upon to feed into case management decisions. Child-inclusive practice may be applied in particular cases, but only one location applied it frequently and a second infrequently. Specialised risk assessment and management takes place throughout the process, which unfolds over several steps involving screening, intake and assessment, preparation for mediation, mediation (up to four or more sessions) and post-mediation follow-up. The process is applied in a multi-agency, multidisciplinary setting and it aims to provide a safe, non-adversarial and child-sensitive means for parents to sort out their postseparation parenting disputes. The level of support provided to parents is intensive, and this is a key means by which the process attempts to keep children and parties safe and ensure that power imbalances resulting from family violence do not impede parents’ ability to participate effectively. This report sets out the findings of an evaluation of the CFDR process that has been funded by the Attorney-General’s Department. The evaluation was based on a mixed-method approach involving several different data collections. These were: a study based on case file data from the entire cohort of CFDR files up to 30 June 2012 (n = 126), and a sample of comparison group files (n = 247) drawn from services run by each of the lead partners where CFDR services were not offered; a qualitative study based on interviews with professionals working in the pilot (n = 37) in the early stages of implementation, and a second study comprising interviews with professionals (n = 33) near the end of the evaluation data collection period (April–June 2012); mixed-profession focus groups (participants: n = 37), conducted between August and November 2011; an online survey of professionals, conducted in June–July 2012 (n = 88, with a response rate of 68%); interviews with parents who received the CFDR services and progressed to mediation, conducted as eligible parents became available (n = 29). An online survey was also available to parents; however, the smaller-than-expected number of pilot cases meant very small numbers of people were eligible to complete the survey. Therefore, the evaluation team focused on conducting interviews with as many parents as possible and incorporated data from the seven completed online surveys in the analysis of the qualitative data; and requests for information (conducted via discussions with location coordinators) that examined how the model was adapted and implemented in each location. Details: Barton, ACT: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2012. 165p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 30, 2013 at: http://www.ag.gov.au/FamiliesAndMarriage/Families/FamilyLawSystem/Documents/CFDR%20Evaluation%20Final%20Report%20December%202012.PDF Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ag.gov.au/FamiliesAndMarriage/Families/FamilyLawSystem/Documents/CFDR%20Evaluation%20Final%20Report%20December%202012.PDF Shelf Number: 128180 Keywords: Dispute SettlementDivorceFamily InterventionsFamily MediationFamily Violence (Australia)Intimate Partner Violence |
Author: Australia. Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) Title: The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010 – 2022 (the National Plan) Summary: While living safe and free from violence is everyone’s right, reducing violence is everyone’s responsibility. Around one-in-three Australian women have experienced physical violence and almost one-in-five have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15. For certain groups, this statistic may be much higher. The National Plan brings together the efforts of governments across the nation to make a real and sustained reduction in the levels of violence against women. This plan shows Australia’s commitment to upholding the human rights of Australian women and it is the first plan to coordinate action across jurisdictions. The National Plan is unprecedented in the way it focuses on preventing violence by raising awareness and building respectful relationships in the next generation. The aim is to bring attitudinal and behavioural change at the cultural, institutional and individual levels, with a particular focus on young people. The National Plan has been built from an evidence base of new research and extensive consultation with experts and the community. The National Plan sets out a framework for action over the next 12 years. By working together and challenging the attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to occur, all Australian governments are saying a very loud ‘no’ to violence. Details: Canberra: FahCSIA, 2013. 133p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 11, 2013 at: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/05_2012/national_plan.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/05_2012/national_plan.pdf Shelf Number: 129363 Keywords: Family Violence (Australia)Violence Against ChildrenViolence Against Women |
Author: Campo, Monica Title: Children affected by domestic and family violence: A review of domestic and family violence prevention, early intervention and response services Summary: This report sets out the findings of research into domestic and family violence (DFV) prevention, early intervention and response for children aged 0-8 years. The research was commissioned and funded by the NSW Department of Family and Community Services. It contributes to the development of the knowledge base on DFV prevention, early intervention and response strategies and the needs of children, and supports the implementation of aspects of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children (National Plan) and the NSW Government's It Stops Here: Standing Together to end Domestic and Family Violence in NSW (It Stops Here) strategy. We acknowledge the need for holding perpetrators, not women and children, accountable for DFV, and the necessity of ongoing primary prevention of DFV addressing men, however as the key focus of this report is on prevention, early intervention and response strategies for children, it is beyond the scope of this report to engage in a detailed discussion of perpetrator programs or primary prevention activities targeting men. However, there is a further study, also commissioned by the Department of Family and Community Services, and undertaken by a team overseen by Professor Moira Carmody at the University of Western Sydney, that focuses on prevention targeting men and boys. The research had two areas of focus: synthesising the literature on the impacts of DFV on children, and on the evidence for primary prevention and early intervention strategies for children aged 0-8 years; and identifying best practice approaches for primary prevention, early intervention and response for children aged 0-8, and identifying the extent to which these needs are met within existing DVF primary prevention, early intervention, and response approaches in Australia. The research took place in conjunction with two other studies; a study examining DFV prevention initiatives for at-risk women, also conducted by AIFS, and a study that focused on primary prevention initiatives for men and boys. The latter study was conducted by a team at the University of Western Sydney led by Professor Moira Carmody. Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2014. 127p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 9, 2014 at: https://www.women.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0014/300623/PDF-6_Final_Report_Children_affected.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: https://www.women.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/file/0014/300623/PDF-6_Final_Report_Children_affected.pdf Shelf Number: 134020 Keywords: Children Exposed to ViolenceDomestic ViolenceEarly Intervention ProgramsFamily Violence (Australia)Violence Against Women |
Author: Crinall, Karen Title: 'Safe at home' programs in the context of the Victorian Integrated family Violence Service System Reforms: A review of the literature Summary: Family violence is a leading cause of homelessness, poverty (FaCHSIA 2009, COAG 2010), preventable death, disability and illness for Victorian women aged 15-45 years (VicHealth 2004). Exposure to family violence is now widely recognised as a form of child abuse (Statewide Steering Committee 2005, FaCHSIA 2009). Family violence costs the Australian economy an estimated $13.6 billion per year (FaCHSIA 2009:34), if not effectively and appropriately addressed, the total cost in 2021-22 is estimated to be $15.6 billion (FaCHSIA 2009:36). Although domestic and family violence began to be taken seriously by Australian governments in the latter half of the twentieth century, a growing body of evidence revealed that prevalence was not decreasing. At the same time, there was recognition that the best interests of women and children experiencing this form of violence were not necessarily being well served (Rorke 2008). In response to calls from the family violence sector, the Victorian government embarked on a program of major legislative and service system reform by adopting a 'whole of government' approach to redressing family violence incidence and responding to the needs of affected women and children. The new approach to family violence involves integration of the Victorian family violence service system, and is guided by the goals of ensuring the safety of women and children and holding men who use violence accountable (see Green, ADFVC, record#170). This wide-ranging initiative represents a profound shift in the way government, police, judiciary and service providers respond to, and seek to prevent family violence. Enabling women to have the choice to remain safely within their own homes, rather than believing they must leave and seek refuge, is a key component in this reform program. Referred to here as 'safe at home', the strategy signifies a new direction in the way the family violence service system supports women and their children to escape family violence. This literature review was undertaken to develop a more complete understanding of 'safe at home' as a service system response, with a particular focus on its capacity to contribute to the Victorian reform goals of ensuring the safety of women and children and holding men who use violence against women accountable. The review examines 'safe at home' in the context of National and state family violence policy and practice initiatives. Specific focus is given to determining elements required for successful and effective implementation. The aims are to: - further understand 'safe at home' as an intervention strategy within the Victorian integrated family violence service system; - explore how the 'safe at home' strategy might contribute to enhancing the safety of women and children; - consider whether 'safe at home' interventions are able to hold men who use violence against women accountable; - to identify elements necessary for successful implementation of 'safe at home' programs. Key questions informing the review are: - How is 'safe at home' defined in policy and practice? - Is there evidence to indicate that 'safe at home' programs have enhanced the safety of women and children? - Is there evidence to suggest that 'safe at home' as a response is able to hold men who use violence against women accountable? - What is required for successful implementation of 'safe at home' programs? - What supports are necessary to enable women and children to stay in their home, if they prefer this option? Details: Melbourne: Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, Monash University, University of Melbourne, 2014. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 18, 2014 at: http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/safehomereview_with_covers.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/safehomereview_with_covers.pdf Shelf Number: 134139 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectDomestic ViolenceFamily Violence (Australia)Violence Against WomenViolence Prevention Programs |
Author: Centre for Innovative Justice Title: Opportunities for Early Intervention: Bringing perpetrators of family violence into view Summary: This Report turns the spotlight on perpetrators of family violence. In doing so, it calls for earlier and more proactive intervention - explaining that, while family violence has finally come to attention as a systemic wrong in need of a National Plan, a significant gap exists in our collective response. Equally, while victims of family violence must remain our priority, these victims will also remain at risk unless we step back and widen our gaze. In other words, until we adjust the lens and bring those who use violence and coercion more clearly into view - until we intervene at the source of the problem - the cycle of this violence will simply roll on. This may manifest in assaults against the same or subsequent partners, in the damaging effects we know are experienced by children, in the behaviour of adolescents, or in the tragic escalation that can devastate an entire community. Either way, it will manifest as core business in our courts and as an ongoing drain on our economic and social wellbeing. As one practitioner told the CIJ: "You can't put violent men in a corner and expect them to change. All you'll achieve is another partner, another victim, somewhere down the track." The aim of this Report, then, is to help to bring violent individuals out of this corner and under the scrutiny of a systemic response. In doing so it makes no apologies for its gendered analysis as, while men can be victims of family violence too, this does not change the fact that structural inequality and widespread community attitudes perpetuate violence against women, as well as rigid gendered roles that entrap women and men alike. As many commentators have pointed out, however, men are often written out of the analysis of gendered violence, rendered invisible by descriptions of the violence as if it is a separate entity, rather than something used by an individual with whom the system might intervene. Meanwhile, though "perpetrator accountability" has importantly been flagged as a priority in the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children and subsequent Second Action Plan, our understandable focus on responding to increasing demand has prevented the majority of policy responses from engaging in detail with what this concept might actually mean. Despite its epidemic proportions and despite the value of public health analogies, family violence does not sweep invisibly through communities, leaving victims inexplicably in its wake. Instead, family violence consists of controlling, coercive, abusive or violent behavior used by identifiable individuals - ones with whom our legal system can and must engage. What's more, similar threads run through the trajectories of this behaviour that reveal how this engagement might occur. Details: Melbourne: Centre for Innovative Justice, RMIT University, 2015. 100p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 25, 2015 at: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/r3qx75qh2913.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: This Report turns the spotlight on perpetrators of family violence. Shelf Number: 135009 Keywords: Abusive MenChildren and ViolenceCycle of ViolenceFamily Violence (Australia)Intimate Partner ViolenceViolence Against Women |