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financial costs<br />
family law<br />
engaging <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong><br />
Winter / 2011<br />
.45<br />
newsletter
inside<br />
1 editorial<br />
2 clearingho<strong>use</strong> update<br />
3 issues in good practice<br />
engaging <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>their</strong> <strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong><br />
<strong>as</strong> a <strong>power</strong> <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trol tactic<br />
5 nati<strong>on</strong>al update<br />
recent develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts in family law<br />
8 feature<br />
working with the media: a new tool<br />
9 f<strong>as</strong>t facts<br />
the financial cost <strong>of</strong> domestic <strong>and</strong> family<br />
<strong>violence</strong><br />
10 new research<br />
12 new initiatives <strong>and</strong> resources<br />
14 review<br />
AVERT family <strong>violence</strong>: collaborative<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>ses in the family law system<br />
16 recent additi<strong>on</strong>s to the research<br />
<strong>and</strong> resources datab<strong>as</strong>e<br />
17 practice notes<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
The Clearingho<strong>use</strong> welcomes submissi<strong>on</strong>s from service workers, researchers<br />
<strong>and</strong> individuals. If you wish to submit an article or review, ple<strong>as</strong>e email a <strong>on</strong>e<br />
paragraph outline to the address below. We will provide you with feedback <strong>and</strong><br />
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For a free subscripti<strong>on</strong> to the Clearingho<strong>use</strong> Newsletter or our other publicati<strong>on</strong>s,<br />
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subscribe.html<br />
For more informati<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>tact the Clearingho<strong>use</strong> at –<br />
Email: clearingho<strong>use</strong>@unsw.edu<br />
Ph: (02) 9385 2990<br />
Fax: (02) 9385 2993<br />
Publicati<strong>on</strong> Informati<strong>on</strong><br />
ISSN print: 1443 7236<br />
ISSN <strong>on</strong>line: 1838-7101<br />
© 2011<br />
Design/Printing: Print Post Plus (P3)<br />
The views expressed in this Newsletter do not necessarily represent the views<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Australian Domestic <strong>and</strong> Family Violence Clearingho<strong>use</strong> or the Australian<br />
Govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t. While all re<strong>as</strong><strong>on</strong>able care h<strong>as</strong> been taken in the preparati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> this<br />
publicati<strong>on</strong>, no liability is <strong>as</strong>sumed for any errors or omissi<strong>on</strong>s. The Australian<br />
Domestic <strong>and</strong> Family Violence Clearingho<strong>use</strong> is funded by the Australian<br />
Govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t Depart<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>of</strong> Families, Housing, Community Services <strong>and</strong><br />
Indigenous Affairs. The Clearingho<strong>use</strong> is linked to the Centre for Gender-Related<br />
Violence Studies, b<strong>as</strong>ed in the University <strong>of</strong> New South Wales, School <strong>of</strong> Social<br />
Sciences <strong>and</strong> Internati<strong>on</strong>al Studies.
editorial<br />
Welcome to the<br />
45th issue <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Clearingho<strong>use</strong><br />
Newsletter.<br />
protecti<strong>on</strong> orders <strong>and</strong> divorce. Judge Kulger discussed<br />
operati<strong>on</strong>al issues for these courts <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong> expansi<strong>on</strong><br />
to address emerging issues, such <strong>as</strong> to allow same-sex<br />
partners to obtain civil orders <strong>of</strong> protecti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
It is that time again<br />
when we c<strong>on</strong>sult you,<br />
our <strong>use</strong>rs, to find out<br />
what you think <strong>of</strong> our<br />
services <strong>and</strong> how we<br />
can make them more<br />
relevant <strong>and</strong> <strong>use</strong>ful<br />
to you. Our survey<br />
is open until the end<br />
<strong>of</strong> July, so go <strong>on</strong>line to www.surveym<strong>on</strong>key.com/s/<br />
Clearingho<strong>use</strong>SurveyJuly2011 to have your say. This<br />
informati<strong>on</strong> is invaluable to us in planning <strong>and</strong> business<br />
develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t, <strong>and</strong> we appreciate your input.<br />
The Clearingho<strong>use</strong> staff have been very busy over the p<strong>as</strong>t<br />
couple <strong>of</strong> m<strong>on</strong>ths with our project work, running a forum <strong>on</strong><br />
domestic <strong>violence</strong> deaths, writing submissi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> papers,<br />
all which you can read about in the Clearingho<strong>use</strong> Update<br />
<strong>on</strong> page 2 <strong>of</strong> this Newsletter.<br />
In May, I made a lightening visit to the United States <strong>and</strong><br />
Canada. The primary re<strong>as</strong><strong>on</strong> for the trip w<strong>as</strong> to attend<br />
Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> – Complex Realities <strong>and</strong> New<br />
Issues in a Changing World, an internati<strong>on</strong>al c<strong>on</strong>ference<br />
held in Quebec, Canada. The c<strong>on</strong>ference heard from a<br />
diverse range <strong>of</strong> speakers <strong>on</strong> many interesting topics <strong>and</strong><br />
I will provide a more detailed report in the next issue <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Newsletter. For now, I will just <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ti<strong>on</strong> three <strong>of</strong> the keynote<br />
speakers.<br />
Well known researcher Dr Michael Johns<strong>on</strong> h<strong>as</strong> written<br />
extensively <strong>on</strong> typologies <strong>of</strong> intimate partner <strong>violence</strong>. At<br />
this c<strong>on</strong>ference, he spoke about differences between<br />
three major types <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong> (intimate terrorism, violent<br />
resistance <strong>and</strong> situati<strong>on</strong>al couple <strong>violence</strong>) in terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
ca<strong>use</strong>s, <strong>their</strong> effects <strong>on</strong> individuals <strong>and</strong> couples, <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
resp<strong>on</strong>siveness to interventi<strong>on</strong>. He argued persu<strong>as</strong>ively for<br />
a differentiated approach in dealing with violent <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>, while<br />
emph<strong>as</strong>ising the need to recognise that comm<strong>on</strong> couple<br />
<strong>violence</strong> is <strong>as</strong> significant <strong>and</strong> dangerous <strong>as</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trolling<br />
<strong>violence</strong>.<br />
Judy Harris Kluger is the Chief <strong>of</strong> Policy <strong>and</strong> Planning in<br />
New York State’s unified court system. She spoke about<br />
the growing number <strong>of</strong> integrated domestic <strong>violence</strong> courts<br />
in the state <strong>and</strong> how <strong>their</strong> operati<strong>on</strong> is incre<strong>as</strong>ing access<br />
to justice for victims. In these integrated courts, a single<br />
judge will deal with a criminal domestic <strong>violence</strong> c<strong>as</strong>e <strong>and</strong><br />
all its related family issues, such <strong>as</strong> custody, visitati<strong>on</strong>, civil<br />
The third speaker w<strong>as</strong> Dr Floya Anthi<strong>as</strong>, a pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
<strong>of</strong> sociology at Roehampt<strong>on</strong> University in the United<br />
Kingdom. She argued for a more differentiated<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> in terms <strong>of</strong> complex inequalities,<br />
in order to underst<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> better address <strong>their</strong> experience<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong> needs. She called for more<br />
collaborati<strong>on</strong> between different sectors in order to address<br />
wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s complex lives. Her paper then discussed a range<br />
<strong>of</strong> issues around gender <strong>and</strong> <strong>violence</strong>; for example, around<br />
the growth <strong>of</strong> migrati<strong>on</strong>, ‘diversity’, transnati<strong>on</strong>alism <strong>and</strong><br />
global labour markets.<br />
As well <strong>as</strong> attending the c<strong>on</strong>ference, I w<strong>as</strong> also able to<br />
visit two peak organisati<strong>on</strong>s in the United States: the<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Network to End Domestic Violence in W<strong>as</strong>hingt<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Resource Center <strong>on</strong> Domestic Violence<br />
in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I w<strong>as</strong> impressed with the<br />
significant resourcing <strong>of</strong> these organisati<strong>on</strong>s through<br />
govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t funding to support the work <strong>of</strong> the practiceb<strong>as</strong>ed<br />
sector. They provide training, knowledge transfer,<br />
technical support <strong>and</strong> resource develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong><br />
representati<strong>on</strong> to <strong>and</strong> advocacy with govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t. The<br />
level <strong>of</strong> support <strong>and</strong> advocacy that these organisati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
can lend to domestic <strong>violence</strong> services <strong>and</strong> workers is<br />
something we would love to see replicated in Australia,<br />
with a peak organisati<strong>on</strong> situated in each state <strong>and</strong> territory<br />
carrying out this work.<br />
Having the opportunity to hear eminent practiti<strong>on</strong>ers<br />
<strong>and</strong> academics from around the world, learn about<br />
new approaches <strong>and</strong> forge internati<strong>on</strong>al links w<strong>as</strong> an<br />
invigorating experience <strong>and</strong> the learnings from this trip will<br />
inform our work at the Clearingho<strong>use</strong> into the future. While<br />
it w<strong>as</strong> great to learn about develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts going <strong>on</strong> around<br />
the world, it w<strong>as</strong> also heartening to have acknowledged<br />
that our Clearingho<strong>use</strong> is also spearheading innovati<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> investigati<strong>on</strong>, for example, through our domestic<br />
<strong>violence</strong> workplace project <strong>and</strong> financial security research.<br />
In this issue <strong>of</strong> the Newsletter, you will read about<br />
engaging <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>their</strong> <strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong> <strong>as</strong> a <strong>power</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trol tactic (pp. 3-4), read a summary <strong>of</strong> recent<br />
develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts in family law (pp. 5-7) <strong>and</strong> a review <strong>of</strong> the<br />
AVERT family <strong>violence</strong> resource (pp. 14-15), <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> find<br />
out about a new resource for working with the media (p. 8).<br />
I hope you enjoy this issue <strong>of</strong> the Newsletter.<br />
Gaby Marcus<br />
Director<br />
1<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au
clearingho<strong>use</strong> update<br />
2<br />
newsletter .45<br />
Have your say in our latest <strong>use</strong>r survey<br />
To have your say about the delivery <strong>of</strong> Clearingho<strong>use</strong><br />
services, ple<strong>as</strong>e go <strong>on</strong>line <strong>and</strong> fill in our <strong>use</strong>r survey.<br />
The survey takes ten to fifteen minutes to complete <strong>and</strong><br />
helps us plan better services for you. The survey will be<br />
available until Sunday, 31 July 2011.<br />
www.surveym<strong>on</strong>key.com/s/Clearingho<strong>use</strong>SurveyJuly2011<br />
ALRC submissi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Over the p<strong>as</strong>t three m<strong>on</strong>ths, the Clearingho<strong>use</strong> h<strong>as</strong><br />
resp<strong>on</strong>ded to the Australian Law Reform Commissi<strong>on</strong>’s<br />
(ALRC) inquiry into the treat<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>of</strong> family/domestic<br />
<strong>violence</strong> in Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth laws. All Clearingho<strong>use</strong><br />
submissi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the four Issues Papers rele<strong>as</strong>ed by the<br />
ALRC are available <strong>on</strong> our web site.<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/submissi<strong>on</strong>s.htm<br />
Financial security project update<br />
Following the publicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> our report, Seeking security:<br />
promoting wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s ec<strong>on</strong>omic wellbeing following domestic<br />
<strong>violence</strong> in March this year, we have sought to follow up <strong>on</strong><br />
a number <strong>of</strong> the research recom<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>dati<strong>on</strong>s. During the<br />
l<strong>as</strong>t four m<strong>on</strong>ths, we have:<br />
à àwritten to Minister Tanya Plibersek <strong>and</strong> Minister Chris<br />
Bowen<br />
à àprovided input to the federal Depart<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>of</strong> Human<br />
Services’ review <strong>on</strong> service delivery to clients affected<br />
by family <strong>violence</strong><br />
à àmet with two major banks<br />
à àliaised with Financial Counselling Australia <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Associati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Financial Advisers<br />
à àwritten to the Chair <strong>of</strong> the Federati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Ethnic<br />
Communities Council in Australia<br />
à àc<strong>on</strong>tributed to the ALRC inquiry into the treat<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>of</strong><br />
family/domestic <strong>violence</strong> in Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth laws.<br />
We have also promoted the findings <strong>of</strong> the research at:<br />
ààa meeting <strong>of</strong> govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>and</strong> n<strong>on</strong>-govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
representatives in Darwin, 4 May<br />
ààMeeting the Needs <strong>of</strong> Victims <strong>of</strong> Crime c<strong>on</strong>ference in<br />
Sydney, 18-19 May.<br />
We will be meeting with <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> the Prime Minister’s<br />
advisors to discuss some <strong>of</strong> the project recom<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>dati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
Updates <strong>on</strong> the project <strong>and</strong> copies <strong>of</strong> recent c<strong>on</strong>ference<br />
presentati<strong>on</strong>s are available <strong>on</strong> the Clearingho<strong>use</strong> web site.<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/projects.htm<br />
Workplace rights <strong>and</strong> entitle<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts<br />
project update<br />
This editi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Newsletter is being mailed out together<br />
with a bulletin <strong>on</strong> our workplace rights <strong>and</strong> entitle<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts<br />
project. If you are reading the Newsletter <strong>on</strong>line, you<br />
can access the bulletin <strong>on</strong> our web site. Updates <strong>on</strong> the<br />
project are also regularly posted <strong>on</strong> the web site.<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/dv_workplace_rights_<br />
entitle<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts_project.htm<br />
Domestic <strong>violence</strong> homicide forum <strong>and</strong><br />
workshop<br />
On 20 May in Sydney, around 100 participants attended<br />
the Clearingho<strong>use</strong> forum, Domestic Violence Deaths: Risk,<br />
Resp<strong>on</strong>sibility <strong>and</strong> Review. The three forum speakers<br />
gave diverse <strong>and</strong> stimulating presentati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the issue <strong>of</strong><br />
domestic <strong>violence</strong> related deaths.<br />
Lyndal Bugeja, Team Leader <strong>of</strong> the Intenti<strong>on</strong>al Death<br />
Investigati<strong>on</strong> Team at the Cor<strong>on</strong>ers Preventi<strong>on</strong> Unit Victoria,<br />
gave an account <strong>of</strong> Victoria’s domestic <strong>violence</strong> death<br />
investigati<strong>on</strong> process, set up in 2009.<br />
Dr Rochelle Braaf, Clearingho<strong>use</strong> Senior Research Officer,<br />
presented evidence linking <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong> by intimate<br />
partners with homicide risk. Rochelle discussed the<br />
difficulties <strong>of</strong> resp<strong>on</strong>ding to this risk when there are str<strong>on</strong>g<br />
tendencies for wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> not to disclose, <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> to deny <strong>their</strong><br />
behaviour <strong>and</strong> workers not to <strong>as</strong>k.<br />
Associate Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Jane Ursel, Director <strong>of</strong> Research <strong>and</strong><br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> for Soluti<strong>on</strong>s to Violence <strong>and</strong> Ab<strong>use</strong> (RESOLVE)<br />
at the University <strong>of</strong> Manitoba, spoke about progress made<br />
in reducing the number <strong>of</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong>-related<br />
homicides in Manitoba, Canada. Jane suggested that<br />
these reducti<strong>on</strong>s have been achieved through changes in<br />
the criminal justice system including: legislative <strong>and</strong> policy<br />
change; gathering, m<strong>on</strong>itoring <strong>and</strong> resp<strong>on</strong>ding to trends<br />
in data; better policing <strong>of</strong> breaches; the introducti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
specialist domestic <strong>violence</strong> courts; <strong>and</strong> police m<strong>on</strong>itoring<br />
<strong>of</strong> high risk <strong>of</strong>fenders.<br />
Following the forum, researchers from the Centre for<br />
Gender Related Violence Studies at the University <strong>of</strong> New<br />
South Wales, in partnership with Relati<strong>on</strong>ships Australia<br />
South Australia (RASA), ran a workshop entitled Thinking<br />
About Homicide Risk – A Framework for Counsellors.<br />
Dr Kerrie James, Dr Jan Breckenridge <strong>and</strong> Claire Ralfs<br />
presented this framework to a group <strong>of</strong> experienced<br />
domestic <strong>violence</strong> workers from different agency c<strong>on</strong>texts<br />
<strong>and</strong> sectors.<br />
Slides <strong>of</strong> the presentati<strong>on</strong>s are available <strong>on</strong> the<br />
Clearingho<strong>use</strong> web site <strong>and</strong> podc<strong>as</strong>ts <strong>of</strong> the event will be<br />
uploaded in the coming weeks.<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/c<strong>on</strong>ference_proceedings.htm<br />
Clearingho<strong>use</strong> staff presentati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Clearingho<strong>use</strong> staff have presented papers at a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> recent forums. See the back page <strong>of</strong> this Newsletter for<br />
details.
issues in good practice<br />
ENGAGING MEN ON THEIR USE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AS A POWER AND<br />
CONTROL TACTIC BY RODNEY VLAIS, ACTING EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NO TO VIOLENCE<br />
MALE FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION ASSOCIATION<br />
The nature <strong>of</strong> male family <strong>violence</strong><br />
Intimate partner ab<strong>use</strong> by <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> is an expressi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> male<br />
<strong>power</strong> <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trol in the c<strong>on</strong>text <strong>of</strong> a male dominated society.<br />
No To Violence (NTV) believes that all work to engage <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
must be located within an awareness <strong>of</strong> the social c<strong>on</strong>text <strong>of</strong><br />
male family <strong>violence</strong>. Men <strong>use</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> <strong>as</strong> a deliberate<br />
tactic to exert <strong>power</strong> <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trol <strong>and</strong> maintain gender-b<strong>as</strong>ed<br />
privileges to which they feel entitled. In the process, they<br />
ignore the wishes <strong>of</strong> the other pers<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Although <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> need to be held resp<strong>on</strong>sible <strong>and</strong><br />
accountable for <strong>their</strong> own <strong>violence</strong>, we must acknowledge<br />
that male <strong>violence</strong> is embedded in the structures <strong>and</strong><br />
collective unc<strong>on</strong>scious <strong>of</strong> Australia’s patriarchal society.<br />
Ending gender-b<strong>as</strong>ed inequalities is, therefore, essential<br />
to the l<strong>on</strong>g-term preventi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> male family <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
Violence is a choice for which each man is resp<strong>on</strong>sible.<br />
Although a man might have been socialised to believe<br />
he h<strong>as</strong> a right to c<strong>on</strong>trol wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> children, he can still<br />
choose to take resp<strong>on</strong>sibility to learn <strong>and</strong> <strong>use</strong> n<strong>on</strong>-violent<br />
ways <strong>of</strong> relating.<br />
In this c<strong>on</strong>text, <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s <strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong> intimate partner <strong>sexual</strong><br />
<strong>violence</strong> can serve at le<strong>as</strong>t two functi<strong>on</strong>s. First, <strong>sexual</strong><br />
<strong>violence</strong> can be <strong>use</strong>d <strong>as</strong> deliberate tactic to create fear<br />
<strong>and</strong> subordinati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> to enforce c<strong>on</strong>trol. Sec<strong>on</strong>d, <strong>sexual</strong><br />
<strong>violence</strong> may serve <strong>as</strong> an expressi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s unearned<br />
gender-b<strong>as</strong>ed privilege, b<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>on</strong> a belief that they are<br />
entitled to <strong>sexual</strong> gratificati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> are being ‘victimised’<br />
when wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> ‘withhold’ sex from them.<br />
Funda<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal aim <strong>of</strong> engaging <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
The funda<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal aim <strong>of</strong> engaging male <strong>use</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> family<br />
<strong>violence</strong> is to support the safety needs <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong><br />
children. This might seem obvious but, in our experience,<br />
it is possible for <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s services to lose sight <strong>of</strong> this aim.<br />
This can occur where services operate primarily from a<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s health framework, rather than <strong>as</strong> part <strong>of</strong> an integrated<br />
family <strong>violence</strong> service system, <strong>and</strong> when they have weak<br />
accountability processes to wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s services.<br />
There h<strong>as</strong> been very little research <strong>on</strong> the effectiveness<br />
<strong>of</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s behaviour change programs in Australia. The<br />
evidence for the l<strong>on</strong>g-term effectiveness <strong>of</strong> United States<br />
programs in stopping <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s <strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> is not<br />
str<strong>on</strong>g either. While most reviewers in this field acknowledge<br />
the major methodological problems <strong>and</strong> limitati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<strong>as</strong>sociated with evaluating effectiveness, it is uncertain<br />
whether there is sufficient evidence to justify working with<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> for the sole purpose <strong>of</strong> l<strong>on</strong>g-term behaviour change.<br />
Importantly, however, creating behaviour change is not<br />
the <strong>on</strong>ly pathway through which <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s programs support<br />
the safety <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> children. A sec<strong>on</strong>d key pathway<br />
is to provide partners <strong>of</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> who participate in programs<br />
with access to safety planning, referrals, direct support<br />
<strong>and</strong> other outcomes or processes that stem through<br />
partner c<strong>on</strong>tact work. Indeed, many wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> who engage<br />
in partner c<strong>on</strong>tact work have not previously accessed a<br />
family <strong>violence</strong> service.<br />
Sometimes work with <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> who do not or are not likely to<br />
make l<strong>on</strong>g-term changes can still support the work with<br />
wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>. Some <strong>of</strong> these <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> might make some temporary<br />
changes to some <strong>as</strong>pects <strong>of</strong> <strong>their</strong> behaviour through<br />
participati<strong>on</strong> in the program, which might provide <strong>their</strong><br />
partners with a degree <strong>of</strong> ‘breathing space’ through which<br />
to discover more <strong>of</strong> <strong>their</strong> own agency, find small but<br />
important opportunities to regain a sense <strong>of</strong> dignity, revise<br />
safety plans <strong>and</strong> make decisi<strong>on</strong>s. Furthermore, partners’<br />
unsuccessful or partly successful participati<strong>on</strong> in the<br />
program might help wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> to face the reality <strong>of</strong> the likely<br />
future trajectory <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
Finally, male family <strong>violence</strong> services can report breaches <strong>of</strong><br />
interventi<strong>on</strong> orders <strong>and</strong> provide feedback to referrers such<br />
<strong>as</strong> police <strong>and</strong> courts, thereby supporting law enforce<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
<strong>and</strong> judicial systems to impose appropriate sancti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
Addressing intimate partner <strong>sexual</strong><br />
<strong>violence</strong><br />
NTV acknowledges that, taken <strong>as</strong> a whole, the male family<br />
<strong>violence</strong> sector needs to do more to address intimate<br />
partner <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong>. While <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> who ab<strong>use</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
partners are ordinarily very hesitant to take resp<strong>on</strong>sibility<br />
for <strong>their</strong> behaviour <strong>and</strong> <strong>use</strong> a variety <strong>of</strong> strategies to deny<br />
<strong>and</strong> minimise it, this problem is even more pr<strong>on</strong>ounced<br />
in relati<strong>on</strong> to <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong>. Often <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> in programs<br />
have a very narrow definiti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong>. They<br />
are unlikely to sp<strong>on</strong>taneously talk about <strong>their</strong> sense <strong>of</strong><br />
entitle<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t to obtain <strong>sexual</strong> gratificati<strong>on</strong> or the effects <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>sexual</strong>ly objectifying wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
Practiti<strong>on</strong>ers <strong>and</strong> facilitators in the <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s behaviour<br />
change field generally find addressing <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong><br />
difficult work. As a result, workers have searched for<br />
Key practice points<br />
àà<br />
àà<br />
àà<br />
Men are <strong>of</strong>ten very hesitant to discuss intimate<br />
partner <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong> in <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s behaviour change<br />
programs addressing family <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
Program providers are trying innovative <strong>and</strong> creative<br />
ways to open up discussi<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> to encourage <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
to reflect <strong>on</strong> <strong>their</strong> <strong>and</strong> society’s <strong>sexual</strong> objectificati<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
These approaches include dec<strong>on</strong>structing <strong>and</strong><br />
exploring the noti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> ‘make up’ sex after <strong>violence</strong>,<br />
the <strong>sexual</strong> objectificati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> in the media<br />
<strong>and</strong> male peer cultures, healthy <strong>sexual</strong> relating <strong>and</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s <strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong> pornography.<br />
3<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au
4<br />
innovative <strong>and</strong> creative approaches <strong>and</strong> activities to<br />
open up discussi<strong>on</strong> around <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> related<br />
issues. Some approaches being trialled across the <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
behaviour change sector are outlined below. Together<br />
they dem<strong>on</strong>strate the potential for this sector to work<br />
harder <strong>and</strong> more creatively to resp<strong>on</strong>d to intimate partner<br />
<strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
Cycle <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong><br />
The ‘cycle <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong>’ model h<strong>as</strong> l<strong>on</strong>g been debated<br />
within the domestic <strong>violence</strong> sector in terms <strong>of</strong> how<br />
accurately it encomp<strong>as</strong>ses the experiences <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<strong>and</strong> how aptly it portrays <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s <strong>on</strong>going strategic <strong>and</strong><br />
tactical <strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong>. It is, however, <strong>use</strong>d in the<br />
psycho-educati<strong>on</strong>al <strong>as</strong>pects <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
programs, <strong>as</strong> it is a model to which many participants<br />
relate. It can provide opportunities for in-depth spin<strong>of</strong>f<br />
discussi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> issues ranging from the difference<br />
between self-centred <strong>and</strong> other-centred remorse to<br />
‘safety’ planning enabling <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> to identify <strong>their</strong> own ‘build<br />
ups’ to <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
In this way the cycle <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong> can be <strong>use</strong>d to spark<br />
discussi<strong>on</strong>s about <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sent. It<br />
becomes an entry point for <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> to talk about the role<br />
that ‘make-up sex’ h<strong>as</strong> in the ‘remorse’ <strong>and</strong> ‘h<strong>on</strong>eymo<strong>on</strong>’<br />
ph<strong>as</strong>es (i.e. the <strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong> sex to feel better after <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
to try to keep the relati<strong>on</strong>ship together). Group facilitators<br />
can encourage <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> to c<strong>on</strong>sider how <strong>their</strong> partner might<br />
be feeling about <strong>sexual</strong> relating, in the days or weeks<br />
after a significant episode <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong>, <strong>and</strong> whether <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
are using a (significant) degree <strong>of</strong> coerci<strong>on</strong> to engage<br />
in make-up sex which <strong>their</strong> partner does not want. This<br />
dialogue can open up spaces for discussi<strong>on</strong> about active<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sent <strong>and</strong> the difference between ‘self-centred’ <strong>and</strong><br />
‘other-centred’ perspectives.<br />
This approach engages with the widely recognised <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>use</strong>d phr<strong>as</strong>e ‘make-up sex’, reframing it b<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
explorati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>ings <strong>of</strong> the cycle <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong><br />
model. By beginning a discussi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> whether ‘make-up’ sex<br />
is experienced in the same way by wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>, space can be<br />
created for <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> to explore issues <strong>of</strong> coerci<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sent.<br />
Sexual objectificati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> in the media <strong>and</strong><br />
male peer cultures<br />
Another approach some programs <strong>use</strong> to engage <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>their</strong> <strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong> is through a focus <strong>on</strong> media<br />
representati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>. At le<strong>as</strong>t <strong>on</strong>e program provider<br />
engages <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> in a series <strong>of</strong> exercises over time to explore<br />
issues <strong>of</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sent in <strong>sexual</strong> relating in the c<strong>on</strong>text <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>sexual</strong> objectificati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> in the media <strong>and</strong> in male<br />
peer cultures. These exercises include:<br />
à àsome initial explorati<strong>on</strong>s with <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> around the definiti<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>and</strong> issues <strong>of</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sent in <strong>sexual</strong> relating, a c<strong>on</strong>cept<br />
which is then revisited in future sessi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong>ce<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing deepens<br />
a historical analysis, through art, where <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> view<br />
particular paintings <strong>and</strong> are invited to c<strong>on</strong>sider how<br />
they represent <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> (these paintings<br />
portray the intergenerati<strong>on</strong>al c<strong>on</strong>cepts <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
‘tempting’ <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> that <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> ‘cannot help themselves’)<br />
an analysis <strong>of</strong> the names <strong>and</strong> words <strong>use</strong>d to describe<br />
wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>, which are still embedded within male peer<br />
cultures (<strong>and</strong> society more generally)<br />
a presentati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> critical discussi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> advertising<br />
images depicting wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> in <strong>sexual</strong>ly objectifying <strong>and</strong><br />
demeaning ways, encouraging <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> to reflect <strong>on</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
reacti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> what messages are communicated about<br />
wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> <strong>sexual</strong> respect.<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
Healthy <strong>sexual</strong> relating <strong>and</strong> active c<strong>on</strong>sent<br />
Another approach is to com<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ce c<strong>on</strong>versati<strong>on</strong>s about<br />
<strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong> with a focus <strong>on</strong> what <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> believe is<br />
required to nurture an intimate, healthy, satisfying <strong>sexual</strong><br />
relati<strong>on</strong>ship. After <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> outline the positive <strong>as</strong>pects <strong>and</strong><br />
necessary c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s for intimate <strong>sexual</strong> relating with <strong>on</strong>e’s<br />
partner, the discussi<strong>on</strong> can then move towards <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
behaviours that sabotage or prevent what they really want<br />
out <strong>of</strong> <strong>their</strong> <strong>sexual</strong> relati<strong>on</strong>ships. From here, the facilitator<br />
can lead participants into a discussi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>their</strong> <strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
coerci<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trol <strong>as</strong> undermining <strong>and</strong> destroying an<br />
intimate relati<strong>on</strong>ship with <strong>their</strong> partner. Such approaches<br />
<strong>as</strong>sume that many <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> in behaviour change programs<br />
have a desire to work towards positive <strong>sexual</strong> relating.<br />
Pornography<br />
A further approach explores <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s <strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong> pornography<br />
<strong>and</strong> the effects that it h<strong>as</strong> <strong>on</strong> <strong>sexual</strong> relating. This<br />
approach not <strong>on</strong>ly involves providing informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the<br />
structural gender inequities inherent in pornography<br />
industries but also the distorti<strong>on</strong> that pornography <strong>use</strong><br />
creates for <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s expectati<strong>on</strong>s about <strong>sexual</strong> relating.<br />
Given that mainstream <strong>and</strong> accessible pornography h<strong>as</strong><br />
become incre<strong>as</strong>ingly violent <strong>and</strong> degrading towards<br />
wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> over the p<strong>as</strong>t ten to fifteen years, <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> who <strong>use</strong><br />
pornography can develop demeaning <strong>and</strong> inappropriate<br />
expectati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> what <strong>their</strong> partner should be receptive<br />
to or participate in during sex. The effects <strong>of</strong> these<br />
inappropriate expectati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s intimate<br />
relati<strong>on</strong>ships can then be explored.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong><br />
The suggesti<strong>on</strong>s above provide a starting point for male<br />
family <strong>violence</strong> workers to introduce discussi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>sexual</strong><br />
ab<strong>use</strong> in <strong>their</strong> work with <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>. Male family <strong>violence</strong><br />
workers are aware that <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> can hide more than they will<br />
reveal in group <strong>and</strong> individual discussi<strong>on</strong>s. Finding new<br />
ways to obtain <strong>and</strong> dec<strong>on</strong>struct the full picture <strong>of</strong> ab<strong>use</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trol will help to promote a safer community.<br />
newsletter .45<br />
GOOD PRACTICE HOTLINE<br />
The Clearingho<strong>use</strong> Good Practice Hotline is available<br />
<strong>on</strong> M<strong>on</strong>days 2-4pm (E<strong>as</strong>tern St<strong>and</strong>ard Time) <strong>on</strong><br />
(02) 9385 3843.<br />
For more informati<strong>on</strong>: visit the No to Violence web<br />
site at www.ntv.org.au or c<strong>on</strong>tact Not to Violence at<br />
(03) 9428 3536.
nati<strong>on</strong>al update<br />
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN FAMILY LAW BY KareN WILCOX, CLeariNGHouSE GooD<br />
PraCtiCE OFFICer<br />
This year h<strong>as</strong> seen some significant changes in the family<br />
law arena, both in legislati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> in service practices. This<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al update looks at some <strong>of</strong> the key develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts<br />
across the country, including the introducti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Family<br />
Law A<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t (Family Violence & Other Me<strong>as</strong>ures)<br />
Bill 2011, <strong>and</strong> incre<strong>as</strong>ed engage<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>and</strong> collaborati<strong>on</strong><br />
between the family <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> family law sectors.<br />
Family law a<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts introduced to<br />
Parlia<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
The Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth Govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t this year proposed l<strong>on</strong>gawaited,<br />
safety-foc<strong>use</strong>d a<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts to the Family Law Act<br />
1975 (Cth). The Family Law A<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t (Family Violence<br />
& Other Me<strong>as</strong>ures) Bill 2011 w<strong>as</strong> introduced to Parlia<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
<strong>on</strong> 24 March, following the wide circulati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> a c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong><br />
draft by the Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth Attorney-General, the H<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Robert McClell<strong>and</strong>. The Bill w<strong>as</strong> p<strong>as</strong>sed by the Ho<strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Representatives, without changes, <strong>on</strong> 30 May.<br />
These a<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts follow a series <strong>of</strong> reviews <strong>of</strong> the Family<br />
Law Act 1975 commissi<strong>on</strong>ed by the govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t. The Bill<br />
recognises the widespread c<strong>on</strong>cern put to govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
about the impact <strong>of</strong> the a<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts introduced in 2006<br />
by the previous Liberal Govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t, particularly in relati<strong>on</strong><br />
to wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s <strong>and</strong> children’s safety <strong>and</strong> wellbeing following<br />
separati<strong>on</strong>. High pr<strong>of</strong>ile homicides by domestic ab<strong>use</strong>rs,<br />
including the tragic Darcey Freeman murder, also prompted<br />
community outrage <strong>and</strong> calls for reform.<br />
The proposed a<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts address the following issues<br />
arising from the expert reviews:<br />
Determining children’s ‘best interests’<br />
Where there is an inc<strong>on</strong>sistency between the right <strong>of</strong> the<br />
child to have a ‘meaningful relati<strong>on</strong>ship’ <strong>and</strong> the right <strong>of</strong><br />
the child to be protected from family <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> ab<strong>use</strong>,<br />
the latter will have priority <strong>as</strong> a primary c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> in<br />
determining children’s best interests. This a<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
means that the so-called ‘twin pillars’ in the Act which are<br />
<strong>use</strong>d to determine children’s ‘best interests’ will instead be<br />
weighted, with the right to safety taking precedence where<br />
domestic <strong>violence</strong> or child ab<strong>use</strong> is an issue.<br />
Widening the definiti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> child ab<strong>use</strong><br />
The definiti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> child ab<strong>use</strong> will be widened to cover:<br />
causing serious psychological harm to a child, including<br />
when the child is subjected or exposed to family <strong>violence</strong><br />
(i.e. sees, hears or experiences the effects <strong>of</strong> family<br />
<strong>violence</strong>); <strong>and</strong> neglect. Given the reform to the ‘twin<br />
pillars’ noted above, this is likely to enhance the capacity<br />
<strong>of</strong> the courts to find safety-b<strong>as</strong>ed soluti<strong>on</strong>s to parenting<br />
arrange<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts.<br />
Widening <strong>of</strong> the definiti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> family <strong>violence</strong><br />
Similarly, the definiti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> will be widened<br />
to focus <strong>on</strong> fear, coerci<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trol, rather than what<br />
the courts might c<strong>on</strong>sider ‘re<strong>as</strong><strong>on</strong>able’. Examples in the<br />
Bill incorporate recent changes to state protecti<strong>on</strong> order<br />
definiti<strong>on</strong>s (such <strong>as</strong> in Victoria <strong>and</strong> South Australia) <strong>and</strong><br />
include:<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
repeated derogatory taunts<br />
intenti<strong>on</strong>ally causing death or injury to an animal<br />
unre<strong>as</strong><strong>on</strong>ably denying the family member the financial<br />
aut<strong>on</strong>omy that he or she would otherwise have had<br />
unre<strong>as</strong><strong>on</strong>ably withholding financial support needed<br />
to meet the re<strong>as</strong><strong>on</strong>able living expenses <strong>of</strong> the family<br />
member, or his or her child, at a time when the family<br />
member is entirely or predominantly dependent <strong>on</strong> the<br />
pers<strong>on</strong> for financial support<br />
preventing the family member from making or keeping<br />
c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong>s with his or her family, friends or culture<br />
unlawfully depriving the family member, or any member<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>their</strong> family, <strong>of</strong> his or her liberty.<br />
Inclusi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> internati<strong>on</strong>al obligati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
A further a<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t adds the Internati<strong>on</strong>al C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
the Rights <strong>of</strong> the Child in the objects <strong>and</strong> principles <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Family Law Act 1975. This c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> includes reference to<br />
a country’s obligati<strong>on</strong> to:<br />
àà<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
ensure children ‘be provided the opportunity to be<br />
heard in any judicial <strong>and</strong> administrative proceedings<br />
affecting the child, either directly, or through a<br />
representative or an appropriate body’ (Article 12)<br />
‘take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social<br />
<strong>and</strong> educati<strong>on</strong>al me<strong>as</strong>ures to protect the child from<br />
all forms <strong>of</strong> physical or <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal <strong>violence</strong>, injury or<br />
ab<strong>use</strong>, neglect or negligent treat<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t, maltreat<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t or<br />
exploitati<strong>on</strong>, including <strong>sexual</strong> ab<strong>use</strong>, while in the care<br />
<strong>of</strong> parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other pers<strong>on</strong> who<br />
h<strong>as</strong> the care <strong>of</strong> the child’ (Article 19)<br />
‘take all appropriate me<strong>as</strong>ures to promote physical<br />
<strong>and</strong> psychological recovery <strong>and</strong> social reintegrati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
a child victim <strong>of</strong>: any form <strong>of</strong> neglect, exploitati<strong>on</strong>, or<br />
ab<strong>use</strong>; torture or any other form <strong>of</strong> cruel, inhuman or<br />
degrading treat<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t or punish<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t’ (Article 39).<br />
Repeal <strong>of</strong> the ‘friendly parent’ provisi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
The Bill will repeal the ‘friendly parent’ provisi<strong>on</strong>s (s 60CC<br />
(4)), which many have argued prevented wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> attempting<br />
to protect <strong>their</strong> children from <strong>violence</strong> from raising issues,<br />
for fear <strong>of</strong> being viewed <strong>as</strong> obstructive <strong>of</strong> the relati<strong>on</strong>ship<br />
between children <strong>and</strong> the other (abusive) parent.<br />
Other a<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts<br />
Further a<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts included in the Bill:<br />
à àensure that c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong> is given to interim <strong>and</strong><br />
unc<strong>on</strong>tested state/territory protecti<strong>on</strong> orders, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong><br />
final orders<br />
5<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au
6<br />
The Attorney-General announces the introducti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Bill<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
direct family lawyers <strong>and</strong> counsellors to focus more <strong>on</strong><br />
the effects <strong>of</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> in <strong>their</strong> advice to <strong>their</strong> clients<br />
repeal the specific ‘false allegati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> domestic<br />
<strong>violence</strong>’ cost order provisi<strong>on</strong>s (s 117AB).<br />
The Bill does not alter the presumpti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> shared parental<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sibility or the linking <strong>of</strong> shared parental resp<strong>on</strong>sibility<br />
with equal, substantial <strong>and</strong> significant time spent with the<br />
other parent. As a result, victims <strong>of</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong><br />
will still be required to provide what courts (<strong>and</strong> particular<br />
judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers) might c<strong>on</strong>sider sufficient evidence to rebut<br />
this presumpti<strong>on</strong>, if they are seeking limited, supervised or<br />
no c<strong>on</strong>tact between <strong>their</strong> children <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong> ab<strong>use</strong>r.<br />
Following its reading in Parlia<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t the Bill w<strong>as</strong> referred<br />
to a Senate Legal <strong>and</strong> C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>al Affairs Committee.<br />
Organisati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> interested parties were invited to make<br />
submissi<strong>on</strong>s to this committee, in additi<strong>on</strong> to those they had<br />
previously made to the Attorney-General in relati<strong>on</strong> to the<br />
draft Bill. Over 190 submissi<strong>on</strong>s to this Committee were<br />
received at closing, including twelve separate submissi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
from <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s lobby groups <strong>and</strong> over sixty c<strong>on</strong>fidential/namewithheld<br />
individual submissi<strong>on</strong>s. This additi<strong>on</strong>al process<br />
ensures that community c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> around these reforms<br />
will be extensive.<br />
With the p<strong>as</strong>sing <strong>of</strong> the Bill in the lower ho<strong>use</strong>, it is likely<br />
that the Senate will debate the Bill in the spring sessi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
following the submissi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the report <strong>of</strong> the Senate<br />
Committee’s Inquiry. The final form <strong>of</strong> the Bill may be<br />
subject to further a<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts in the Senate.<br />
Details <strong>of</strong> the Bill, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> links to the commissi<strong>on</strong>ed<br />
expert reviews can be viewed at: www.ag.gov.au/www/<br />
agd/agd.nsf/Page/Families_Family<strong>violence</strong><br />
Cross-disciplinary events have been held<br />
in several regi<strong>on</strong>s. A recent highlight w<strong>as</strong><br />
the annual Greater Sydney Family Law<br />
Pathways Network’s educati<strong>on</strong>al workshop<br />
<strong>and</strong> dinner. Sydney family law, child<br />
protecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong> service<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als came together in autumn<br />
to hear c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong>s by expert speakers<br />
including Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Hilary Astor (New<br />
South Wales Law Reform Commissi<strong>on</strong>),<br />
Kate Alex<strong>and</strong>er (Statewide Services,<br />
New South Wales Depart<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>of</strong> Community Services) <strong>and</strong><br />
Her H<strong>on</strong>. Justice Ainslie-Wallace (Family Court <strong>of</strong> Australia).<br />
Speakers <strong>and</strong> participants outlined the failure <strong>of</strong> systems in<br />
protecting children where there h<strong>as</strong> been family <strong>violence</strong>;<br />
the difficulties in retaining, skilling <strong>and</strong> supporting the child<br />
protecti<strong>on</strong> workforce; <strong>and</strong> models <strong>of</strong> good practice overse<strong>as</strong><br />
in Hackney (United Kingdom), Minnesota (United States) <strong>and</strong><br />
Norway.<br />
A recurrent theme in discussi<strong>on</strong>s w<strong>as</strong> the need for better<br />
informati<strong>on</strong> sharing <strong>and</strong> collaborati<strong>on</strong> across sectors<br />
working with children living with family <strong>violence</strong> – a view<br />
str<strong>on</strong>gly supported by the Clearingho<strong>use</strong>. N<strong>on</strong>etheless,<br />
many family law pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als c<strong>on</strong>tinued to express support<br />
for practices <strong>of</strong> early ‘triaging’ <strong>of</strong> families, through schemes<br />
which differentiate between types <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong>. ‘Parental<br />
alienati<strong>on</strong>’ theories also maintain some currency in the<br />
family law sector, with some pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als believing that this<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cept explains the behaviour <strong>of</strong> children who express that<br />
they do not wish to spend time with a parent.<br />
These cross-disciplinary events dem<strong>on</strong>strate the <strong>on</strong>going<br />
importance <strong>of</strong> discussi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> cross-sectoral training<br />
between the family law <strong>and</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong> sectors. The<br />
Clearingho<strong>use</strong> supports the workers in both sectors who are<br />
moving to engage, find comm<strong>on</strong> ground <strong>and</strong> collaborate in<br />
<strong>their</strong> work with victims <strong>of</strong> domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
newsletter .45<br />
Collaborative relati<strong>on</strong>ships <strong>and</strong> crossfertilisati<strong>on</strong>:<br />
the family <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
family law sectors<br />
While legislative reform is essential to ensure the safety<br />
<strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> children affected by domestic <strong>violence</strong>,<br />
greater collaborati<strong>on</strong> between the family <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> family<br />
law sectors is also needed to challenge practices which<br />
undermine this safety. During the l<strong>as</strong>t year, several Family<br />
Law Pathways Networks have developed or enhanced<br />
linkages with domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als in<br />
<strong>their</strong> regi<strong>on</strong>s. Their work, <strong>and</strong> the work <strong>of</strong> many domestic<br />
<strong>violence</strong> services <strong>and</strong> peaks, h<strong>as</strong> paved the way for<br />
incre<strong>as</strong>ed engage<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t across the sectors, with the potential<br />
for enhanced pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>al underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> the dynamics<br />
<strong>of</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> greater cooperati<strong>on</strong> in working for<br />
wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s <strong>and</strong> children’s safety post-separati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Workshop attendees (from left to right): Sue Davies <strong>and</strong><br />
Beverley Dobie (YWCA Nowra); Claire Martin <strong>and</strong> Rosanna<br />
Court (Newport Law); <strong>and</strong> Nicky Miller (Family Services<br />
Illawarra)<br />
Campaigns for safety in family law<br />
Several campaigns for a safety-foc<strong>use</strong>d family law system<br />
have emerged or gained mo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>tum in t<strong>and</strong>em with the<br />
legal <strong>and</strong> cross-agency develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts noted above. The<br />
Rally for Children’s Safety, held in Canberra, <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s Legal Services Australia web campaign are<br />
highlights <strong>of</strong> this impetus for change within the various<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>s working with wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> children affected by<br />
family <strong>and</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong>.
Rally for Children’s Safety<br />
On 25 May 2011, hundreds <strong>of</strong> supporters turned out for the<br />
Rally for Children’s Safety to improve the family law system.<br />
The date coincided with the introducti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> debate <strong>on</strong> the<br />
govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t’s a<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t Bill. The rally w<strong>as</strong> organised<br />
by the Alliance for Children’s Safety, an initiative <strong>of</strong> four<br />
organisati<strong>on</strong>s (NSW Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s Refuge Move<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t, the<br />
Benevolent Society, Justice for Children <strong>and</strong> the Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Council for Children Post-Separati<strong>on</strong>) who are campaigning<br />
to better protect children <strong>and</strong> primary carers from <strong>on</strong>going<br />
<strong>violence</strong>, post-separati<strong>on</strong>. The Alliance for Children’s Safety<br />
calls for a Family Law Act that:<br />
à àputs children’s safety first<br />
à à<strong>as</strong>sesses children’s safety <strong>on</strong> a c<strong>as</strong>e-by-c<strong>as</strong>e b<strong>as</strong>is<br />
à àprotects the safety <strong>of</strong> primary carers, to make children<br />
safer.<br />
The rally heard presentati<strong>on</strong>s by family <strong>violence</strong> survivors,<br />
including those who had experienced outcomes from<br />
family court processes that incre<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>their</strong> risk <strong>of</strong> harm <strong>and</strong><br />
undermined <strong>their</strong> children’s safety <strong>and</strong> wellbeing. Helen<br />
Cummings, the author <strong>of</strong> Blood vows (2011), reported how<br />
dangerous the changes to family law since 2006 would<br />
have been for her family, given her ex-partner’s subsequent<br />
murder <strong>of</strong> his next family.<br />
Other speakers included University <strong>of</strong> Sydney researcher Dr<br />
Lesley Laing <strong>and</strong> Richard Spencer, CEO <strong>of</strong> the Benevolent<br />
Society, who stressed that the most important c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> family law should be the protecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> children, especially<br />
if there are allegati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong> or ab<strong>use</strong>. Spencer noted<br />
the staggering fact that in 70-80% <strong>of</strong> c<strong>as</strong>es where domestic<br />
<strong>violence</strong> or ab<strong>use</strong> w<strong>as</strong> alleged by <strong>on</strong>e partner, shared care<br />
w<strong>as</strong> still the outcome, according to the Australian Institute <strong>of</strong><br />
Family Studies’ evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the 2006 family law reforms.<br />
The alliance invites organisati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> individuals to read more<br />
about <strong>and</strong> endorse its campaign, through its web site at:<br />
www.safetyforchildrenalliance.org<br />
Put Safety First in Family Law<br />
Put Safety First in Family Law is Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s Legal Services<br />
Australia’s campaign calling for the Australian Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth<br />
Govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t to reform family law to make sure it works to<br />
keep wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> children safe. The campaign is endorsed<br />
by the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Associati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Community Legal Centres. The<br />
campaign includes a web site equipped with e<strong>as</strong>y-to-access<br />
informati<strong>on</strong>, links, campaign resources <strong>and</strong> background<br />
material to support community acti<strong>on</strong> for the changes<br />
necessary to ensure safety for victims <strong>of</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong>,<br />
post-separati<strong>on</strong>. It can be accessed at:<br />
safetyinfamilylaw.com<br />
Other develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts<br />
Other develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts <strong>as</strong>sisting to promote safe outcomes<br />
following family law system engage<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t include:<br />
à àthe Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth Govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t’s pilot <strong>of</strong> Coordinated<br />
Family Dispute Resoluti<strong>on</strong>, which allows family<br />
members who are experiencing family <strong>violence</strong> (or<br />
have experienced it in the p<strong>as</strong>t) to access a safe family<br />
dispute resoluti<strong>on</strong> process. The pilot, developed<br />
by Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s Legal Service Queensl<strong>and</strong>, brings<br />
together family dispute resoluti<strong>on</strong> practiti<strong>on</strong>ers, legal<br />
practiti<strong>on</strong>ers, domestic <strong>violence</strong> services <strong>and</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
support services to <strong>as</strong>sist separating parents to make<br />
parenting arrange<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts<br />
à àthe rele<strong>as</strong>e <strong>of</strong> the AVERT multidisciplinary training<br />
package (see the Review in this Newsletter)<br />
à àthe Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth Govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t’s recent calls to tender<br />
for the develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>of</strong> a comm<strong>on</strong> risk <strong>as</strong>sess<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
framework in family law.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>clusi<strong>on</strong><br />
The develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts noted in this update show the<br />
commit<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>of</strong> a wide range <strong>of</strong> services <strong>and</strong> individuals to<br />
promoting the safety <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> children, in view <strong>of</strong> the<br />
evidence b<strong>as</strong>e that highlights the detri<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal impact <strong>on</strong><br />
domestic <strong>violence</strong> victims <strong>of</strong> changes to family law made<br />
in the l<strong>as</strong>t decade. It is hoped that policy <strong>and</strong> law reform<br />
in this area will address the issues which undermine other<br />
efforts across Australia to reduce <strong>and</strong> prevent domestic <strong>and</strong><br />
family <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
Acknowledge<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts<br />
Thanks to Carolin Wenzel (the Benevolent Society) for<br />
providing informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> photographs <strong>of</strong> the rally <strong>and</strong> to<br />
Edwina MacD<strong>on</strong>ald (Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s Legal Services NSW) for<br />
updates <strong>on</strong> the parlia<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>tary process.<br />
REFERENCES<br />
Wilcox K 2010, ‘C<strong>on</strong>necting systems, protecting victims:<br />
towards vertical coordinati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Australia’s resp<strong>on</strong>se to<br />
domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong>’, University <strong>of</strong> New South<br />
Wales Law Journal, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 1013-1037<br />
7<br />
Family law: a Clearingho<strong>use</strong> priority<br />
The impact <strong>of</strong> family law <strong>on</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong> resp<strong>on</strong>ses is <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> the priority c<strong>on</strong>cerns <strong>of</strong> the Clearingho<strong>use</strong>. In<br />
2010, we made submissi<strong>on</strong>s to the Australian <strong>and</strong> New South Wales Law Reform Commissi<strong>on</strong>s’ Family Violence<br />
Inquiry, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> to the Attorney-General <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> draft <strong>of</strong> the Family Law A<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>d<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t (Family Violence)<br />
Bill 2010. Staff have also been involved in the develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>of</strong> training modules <strong>and</strong> program develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t.<br />
We have enhanced our networks with family law sector pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als <strong>and</strong> explored pointers to good practice in<br />
this field. Newsletter articles <strong>and</strong> our <strong>on</strong>line research <strong>and</strong> resources <strong>and</strong> good practice datab<strong>as</strong>es include more<br />
resources <strong>on</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> for family court practiti<strong>on</strong>ers.<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au
feature<br />
WORKING WITH THE MEDIA: A NEW TOOL BY VICKI LEE THOMAS, SENIOR RESEARCH<br />
AND PROJECT WORKER, PACT COMMUNITY SUPPORT, AND CO-AUTHOR<br />
8<br />
newsletter .45<br />
On 10 June, the Victorian Minister<br />
for Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s Affairs, the H<strong>on</strong>. Mary<br />
Wooldridge MP, <strong>and</strong> Sally Nicholes, <strong>of</strong><br />
Nicholes Family Lawyers, announced<br />
the recipients <strong>of</strong> the Victorian<br />
Eliminating Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
(EVA) Media Awards. Recipients<br />
were c<strong>on</strong>gratulated for presenting<br />
<strong>their</strong> stories ‘in a re<strong>as</strong><strong>on</strong>able,<br />
n<strong>on</strong>-sensati<strong>on</strong>al manner’ <strong>and</strong> for<br />
playing ‘a pivotal role in challenging<br />
<strong>and</strong> changing attitudes towards<br />
<strong>violence</strong> against wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’. The goal<br />
<strong>of</strong> the recently updated Family<br />
<strong>violence</strong> in the news: a media toolkit<br />
is to promote high st<strong>and</strong>ards <strong>of</strong><br />
reporting about family <strong>violence</strong> by all<br />
journalists.<br />
The toolkit w<strong>as</strong> originally published<br />
in 2005, with the aim <strong>of</strong> promoting<br />
a better underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> family<br />
<strong>violence</strong> in the community through<br />
accurate <strong>and</strong> informed coverage<br />
in the media. In the six years since<br />
the toolkit w<strong>as</strong> published, there<br />
have been changes to Victorian<br />
legislati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Police Code<br />
<strong>of</strong> Practice for the Investigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Family Violence, publicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> new<br />
research <strong>and</strong> updated statistics, <strong>and</strong><br />
further strategic approaches to family<br />
<strong>violence</strong> developed at both state <strong>and</strong><br />
Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth levels. The sec<strong>on</strong>d<br />
editi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the toolkit reflects this new<br />
material.<br />
Although the toolkit w<strong>as</strong> developed <strong>as</strong><br />
a resource for journalists, it is a more<br />
<strong>power</strong>ful instru<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t when linked to<br />
a broader strategic framework that<br />
supports the family <strong>violence</strong> sector<br />
to work effectively with media. In<br />
Victoria, a framework w<strong>as</strong> developed<br />
<strong>as</strong> <strong>on</strong>e comp<strong>on</strong>ent <strong>of</strong> the broader<br />
suite <strong>of</strong> projects falling under the<br />
banner <strong>of</strong> Family <strong>violence</strong> in the news.<br />
Funded by the Helen Macphers<strong>on</strong><br />
Smith Trust, the partnership project<br />
between Child <strong>and</strong> Family Services<br />
Ballarat Inc. <strong>and</strong> Pact Community<br />
Support w<strong>as</strong> undertaken in 2006-<br />
07. Project leaders Kate Owen <strong>and</strong><br />
Vicki Lee Thom<strong>as</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sulted with <strong>and</strong><br />
were <strong>as</strong>sisted by specialist family<br />
<strong>and</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong> services <strong>and</strong><br />
peak bodies, member organisati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Statewide Steering Committee<br />
to Reduce Family Violence <strong>and</strong> media<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als in Victoria.<br />
The framework w<strong>as</strong> completed in<br />
April 2007 <strong>and</strong> endorsed by Domestic<br />
Violence Victoria, Domestic Violence<br />
<strong>and</strong> Incest Resource Centre (now<br />
the Domestic Violence Resource<br />
Centre Victoria) <strong>and</strong> No To Violence<br />
– Victoria’s peak bodies for the<br />
family <strong>violence</strong> sector. The four<br />
main strategic are<strong>as</strong> defined in the<br />
framework are:<br />
à àbuilding capacity<br />
à àfamily <strong>violence</strong> sector to work<br />
directly with media<br />
à à<br />
events<br />
à àresearch reporting <strong>of</strong> family<br />
<strong>violence</strong>.<br />
The toolkit comple<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts the<br />
framework in a number <strong>of</strong> ways.<br />
It promotes capacity building by<br />
providing a resource to support<br />
both media reporting about<br />
family <strong>violence</strong>, <strong>and</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>and</strong> educati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
activities in the family <strong>violence</strong>,<br />
media <strong>and</strong> university sectors. It<br />
<strong>as</strong>sists the family <strong>violence</strong> sector<br />
with <strong>their</strong> direct work with media; for<br />
example, in supporting wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> who<br />
have experienced family <strong>violence</strong><br />
to tell <strong>their</strong> stories. In additi<strong>on</strong>, the<br />
toolkit helps family <strong>violence</strong> sector<br />
stakeholders to better focus <strong>their</strong><br />
events with a view to attracting<br />
media coverage. Finally, the toolkit<br />
is an e<strong>as</strong>ily accessible source <strong>of</strong><br />
informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> statistics <strong>and</strong> current<br />
literature <strong>on</strong> family <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
Following the publicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the<br />
original toolkit in 2005, a series <strong>of</strong><br />
workshops were c<strong>on</strong>ducted with<br />
newspaper outlets <strong>and</strong> Victoria Police<br />
Family Violence Advisors. The Media<br />
Entertain<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>and</strong> Arts Alliance<br />
<strong>and</strong> Dart Center for Journalism<br />
<strong>and</strong> Trauma were introduced to the<br />
resource <strong>and</strong> were interested in its<br />
potential <strong>as</strong> both a reference tool <strong>and</strong><br />
training resource.<br />
Despite the original toolkit being<br />
well regarded by both media <strong>and</strong><br />
family <strong>violence</strong> sector stakeholders,<br />
its full potential w<strong>as</strong> not realised.<br />
The lack <strong>of</strong> funding for updates,<br />
communicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> promoti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
<strong>and</strong> facilitati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> training events<br />
dampened mo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>tum.<br />
Hopefully, that will change. The<br />
Victorian Office <strong>of</strong> Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s Policy<br />
funding for the sec<strong>on</strong>d editi<strong>on</strong> update<br />
h<strong>as</strong> come about in the c<strong>on</strong>text <strong>of</strong><br />
imple<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ting two govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
frameworks – A Right to Safety <strong>and</strong><br />
Justice: Strategic Framework to<br />
Guide C<strong>on</strong>tinuing Family Violence<br />
Reform in Victoria 2010-2020 <strong>and</strong><br />
A Right to Respect: Victoria’s Plan<br />
to Prevent Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
2010-2020 – <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> in preparing<br />
for the EVA Media Awards. These<br />
new develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts suggest that<br />
the links between preventi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
resp<strong>on</strong>ses to family <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
effective relati<strong>on</strong>ships with media are<br />
now better understood <strong>and</strong> valued.<br />
The sec<strong>on</strong>d editi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> Family<br />
<strong>violence</strong> in the news: a media<br />
toolkit w<strong>as</strong> launched at the EVA<br />
Media Awards cerem<strong>on</strong>y. It<br />
is available <strong>as</strong> an electr<strong>on</strong>ic<br />
publicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong>ly <strong>and</strong> will be<br />
accessible <strong>on</strong> the Clearingho<strong>use</strong><br />
web site, <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> <strong>on</strong> the<br />
web sites <strong>of</strong> Child <strong>and</strong> Family<br />
Services, Ballarat (www.cafs.<br />
org.au), Pact Community<br />
Support (www.pactcs.org.au)<br />
<strong>and</strong> Grampians Integrated Family<br />
Violence Committee (www.<br />
grampiansfamily<strong>violence</strong>.<br />
com.au).<br />
For further informati<strong>on</strong>, c<strong>on</strong>tact<br />
Vicki Lee Thom<strong>as</strong> at vlt@pactcs.<br />
org.au or <strong>on</strong> (03) 5309 1900.
f<strong>as</strong>t facts<br />
THE FINANCIAL COST OF DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE BY ROSA CAMPBELL,<br />
CLEARINGHOUSE RESEARCH ASSISTANT<br />
Domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> can have a grave financial impact <strong>on</strong> victims <strong>and</strong> society generally. The two<br />
Australian reports most <strong>of</strong>ten cited in regards to these financial costs are: The cost <strong>of</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong> to the<br />
Australian ec<strong>on</strong>omy: parts 1 & 2, by Access Ec<strong>on</strong>omics (2004), <strong>and</strong> The cost <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong> against wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
children, by the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council to Reduce Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong> Children (2009). Key statistics<br />
from these <strong>and</strong> other reports are cited below.<br />
Cost to Australia<br />
Domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> imposes<br />
a huge financial cost <strong>on</strong> the Australian<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy:<br />
à àAccess Ec<strong>on</strong>omics (2004, p. vii)<br />
estimated that domestic <strong>violence</strong><br />
cost Australia $8.1 billi<strong>on</strong> in 2002-<br />
03.<br />
à àThe Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council to Reduce<br />
Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
Children (2009, p. 66) h<strong>as</strong> more<br />
recently projected that domestic<br />
<strong>violence</strong> will cost Australia $9.9<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> in the year 2021-22, if<br />
appropriate acti<strong>on</strong> is not taken.<br />
Cost to victims<br />
Victims themselves bear a large<br />
proporti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the costs <strong>of</strong> ab<strong>use</strong>:<br />
à àAccess Ec<strong>on</strong>omics (2004, p. vii)<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cluded that victims bear the<br />
largest cost burden <strong>of</strong> domestic<br />
<strong>violence</strong>, estimated at $4.05<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> out <strong>of</strong> a total $8.1 billi<strong>on</strong> in<br />
2002-03.<br />
à àThe Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council to Reduce<br />
Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
Children (2009, p. 8) found that<br />
victims bear over half the costs <strong>of</strong><br />
domestic <strong>violence</strong>. It projected<br />
the costs to victims to rise to $8.1<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> in 2021-22.<br />
ààThe costs to victims include<br />
homelessness (Australian Institute<br />
<strong>of</strong> Health <strong>and</strong> Welfare 2007), loss<br />
<strong>of</strong> income due to unemploy<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
(Braaf & Barrett Meyering 2011;<br />
Moe & Bell 2004) <strong>and</strong> healthrelated<br />
expenses (Fishman et al.<br />
2010; VicHealth 2004).<br />
Cost to Australian<br />
business<br />
Domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> also<br />
creates costs for Australian business:<br />
à àAccess Ec<strong>on</strong>omics (2004, p.<br />
43) estimated that in 2002-03,<br />
domestic <strong>violence</strong> cost Australian<br />
businesses $175.2 milli<strong>on</strong>.<br />
à àThe Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council to Reduce<br />
Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
Children (2009, p. 8) estimated<br />
that if appropriate acti<strong>on</strong> is not<br />
taken, domestic <strong>violence</strong> will cost<br />
Australian employers $456 milli<strong>on</strong><br />
in 2021-22.<br />
REFERENCES<br />
Access Ec<strong>on</strong>omics 2004, The cost <strong>of</strong><br />
domestic <strong>violence</strong> to the Australian<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy: part I, Office <strong>of</strong> the Status <strong>of</strong><br />
Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>, Canberra<br />
Australian Institute <strong>of</strong> Health <strong>and</strong><br />
Welfare 2007, Homeless people in<br />
SAAP: SAAP Nati<strong>on</strong>al Data Collecti<strong>on</strong><br />
annual report 2005-06 Australia, cat.<br />
no. HOU 156, AIHW, Canberra<br />
Braaf R & Barrett Meyering I 2011,<br />
Seeking security: promoting wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omic wellbeing following<br />
domestic <strong>violence</strong>, Australian<br />
Domestic <strong>and</strong> Family Violence<br />
Clearingho<strong>use</strong>, Sydney<br />
Cadilhac DA, Magnus A, Cumming<br />
T, Sheppard L, Pearce D & Carter<br />
R 2009, The health <strong>and</strong> ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
benefits <strong>of</strong> reducing dise<strong>as</strong>e risk<br />
factors, VicHealth, Melbourne.<br />
Fishman PA, B<strong>on</strong>omi AE, Anders<strong>on</strong><br />
ML, Reid RJ & Rivara FP 2010,<br />
‘Changes in health care costs over<br />
Costs <strong>and</strong> benefits <strong>of</strong><br />
preventi<strong>on</strong><br />
The preventi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> domestic <strong>and</strong> family<br />
<strong>violence</strong> is <strong>of</strong> enormous social <strong>and</strong><br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omic benefit to all Australians:<br />
à àThe Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council to Reduce<br />
Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
Children (2009, p. 4) c<strong>on</strong>cluded<br />
that reducing all forms <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong><br />
against wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> by 10% by 2021-<br />
22 could amount to $1.6 billi<strong>on</strong> in<br />
savings.<br />
ààAccording to VicHealth, eliminating<br />
intimate partner <strong>violence</strong> would<br />
save the health sector $207 milli<strong>on</strong><br />
dollars per year <strong>and</strong> save $1.8<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> in producti<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> leisure<br />
costs annually (Cadilhac et al.<br />
2009, p. 64).<br />
time following the cessati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
intimate partner <strong>violence</strong>’, Journal<br />
<strong>of</strong> General Internal Medicine, vol.<br />
25, n. 9, pp. 920-925<br />
Moe A & Bell M 2004, ‘Abject<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omics: the effects <strong>of</strong> battering<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>violence</strong> <strong>on</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s work <strong>and</strong><br />
employability’, Violence Against<br />
Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 29-55<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council to Reduce<br />
Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>their</strong> Children 2009, The cost <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>violence</strong> against wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
children, Depart<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>of</strong> Families,<br />
Housing, Community Services <strong>and</strong><br />
Indigenous Affairs, Canberra<br />
Victorian Health Promoti<strong>on</strong><br />
Foundati<strong>on</strong> 2004, The health costs<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong>: me<strong>as</strong>uring the burden<br />
<strong>of</strong> dise<strong>as</strong>e ca<strong>use</strong>d by intimate<br />
partner <strong>violence</strong>: a summary <strong>of</strong><br />
findings, VicHealth, Melbourne.<br />
9<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au
new research<br />
10<br />
newsletter .45<br />
PARTICIPANTS SOUGHT FOR<br />
RESEARCH<br />
Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> housing affordability survey<br />
The Institute for Social Research at Swinburne University<br />
<strong>of</strong> Technology, in c<strong>on</strong>juncti<strong>on</strong> with the Salvati<strong>on</strong> Army, is<br />
c<strong>on</strong>ducting a survey <strong>of</strong> single wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>, aged 40 <strong>and</strong> over<br />
(with or without children) who do not expect to own <strong>their</strong><br />
home outright before they retire. The data obtained from<br />
the survey will <strong>as</strong>sist in developing a housing model to fit<br />
the needs <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> in these circumstances. The survey<br />
closes at 10pm <strong>on</strong> Sunday, 14 August 2011.<br />
The survey can be completed <strong>on</strong>line at opinio.<strong>on</strong>line.<br />
swin.edu.au/ss=10098 or c<strong>on</strong>tact Andrea Sharam <strong>on</strong><br />
(03) 9214 5465 or at <strong>as</strong>haram@swin.edu.au to request a<br />
paper copy.<br />
Me<strong>as</strong>uring crime victims’ paths to justice<br />
Dr Rita Shackel from the University <strong>of</strong> Sydney Law School<br />
is working collaboratively with Tilburg University <strong>and</strong><br />
the Internati<strong>on</strong>al Institute <strong>of</strong> Victimology (INTERVICT) in<br />
the Netherl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>on</strong> a study titled ‘Me<strong>as</strong>uring access to<br />
justice’ (MA2J). This research aims to test the validity <strong>of</strong> a<br />
me<strong>as</strong>uring tool (survey) specifically developed to <strong>as</strong>sess<br />
victims’ experiences with the criminal justice process in a<br />
comprehensive <strong>and</strong> systematic way.<br />
If you are interested in completing the MA2J survey,<br />
distributing it to clients or want to find out more about the<br />
study ple<strong>as</strong>e either:<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
go to a2j.uvt.nl/index.<br />
phpsid=91726%E3%80%88=en <strong>and</strong> complete <strong>and</strong><br />
directly submit the survey <strong>on</strong>line<br />
go to sydney.edu.au/law/subjects/survey/shackel_<br />
survey.pdf <strong>and</strong> complete the survey <strong>on</strong>line <strong>and</strong> email<br />
or print a hardcopy to send back to the researchers<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tact Dr Rita Shackel at rita.shackel@sydney.<br />
edu.au or <strong>on</strong> (02) 9351 0368 or Noleen Grogan at<br />
nkgrogan@iinet.net.au<br />
If you work with wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> affected by domestic <strong>violence</strong>,<br />
ple<strong>as</strong>e c<strong>on</strong>sider posting this notice in your work area or<br />
directing clients to this survey.<br />
D<strong>on</strong>’t forget our web site!<br />
You can view the latest news from the sector <strong>on</strong> our<br />
What’s New page, download Clearingho<strong>use</strong> papers<br />
from the Publicati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> Submissi<strong>on</strong>s page, look for<br />
upcoming forums <strong>on</strong> the C<strong>on</strong>ferences <strong>and</strong> Events<br />
page, <strong>and</strong> search our datab<strong>as</strong>es for research <strong>and</strong><br />
good practice.<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au<br />
RECENTLY PUBLISHED RESEARCH<br />
AIFS rele<strong>as</strong>es new research reports from its<br />
evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the 2006 family law reforms<br />
Two new reports from the Families project comp<strong>on</strong>ent <strong>of</strong><br />
the Australian Institute <strong>of</strong> Family Studies’ evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the<br />
2006 family law reforms are now available:<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
Parenting dynamics after separati<strong>on</strong> – a follow-up study<br />
<strong>of</strong> parents who separated after the 2006 family law<br />
reforms<br />
Views <strong>of</strong> adolescents in separated families – a study <strong>of</strong><br />
adolescents’ experiences after the 2006 reforms to the<br />
family law system.<br />
The evaluati<strong>on</strong> w<strong>as</strong><br />
commissi<strong>on</strong>ed in 2006 by<br />
the Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth Attorney-<br />
General’s Depart<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>and</strong><br />
the Depart<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>of</strong> Families,<br />
Housing, Community<br />
Services <strong>and</strong> Indigenous<br />
Affairs.<br />
The reports examine the<br />
behaviour <strong>and</strong> experiences<br />
<strong>of</strong> parents <strong>and</strong> adolescents<br />
from families that have separated since the 2006 family<br />
law reforms. They highlight that inter-parental c<strong>on</strong>flict,<br />
fear, ab<strong>use</strong> <strong>and</strong> safety c<strong>on</strong>cerns remain prevalent for a<br />
significant number <strong>of</strong> parents following separati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The reports are b<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>on</strong> AIFS’ L<strong>on</strong>gitudinal Study <strong>of</strong><br />
Separated Families, which tracked the experiences <strong>of</strong><br />
over 7000 separated parents. One in five parents in<br />
the study reported that they had safety c<strong>on</strong>cerns for<br />
themselves or <strong>their</strong> child <strong>as</strong><br />
a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>on</strong>going c<strong>on</strong>tact<br />
with the other parent. Most<br />
parents who reported recent<br />
Views <strong>of</strong> adolescents in<br />
separated families<br />
experiences <strong>of</strong> being harmed<br />
A study <strong>of</strong> adolescents’ experiences after<br />
the 2006 reforms to the family law system<br />
physically indicated that<br />
Jodie Lodge <strong>and</strong> Michael Alex<strong>and</strong>er<br />
December 2010<br />
<strong>their</strong> children had witnessed<br />
<strong>violence</strong> or ab<strong>use</strong>.<br />
The Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth Attorney-<br />
General’s media rele<strong>as</strong>e <strong>on</strong><br />
the reports is available <strong>on</strong>line<br />
at:<br />
www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/www/ministers/<br />
mcclell<strong>and</strong>.nsf/page/MediaRele<strong>as</strong>es_2011_<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dQuarter_25May2011-Newresearchhighlightsnee<br />
dtoaddressfamily<strong>violence</strong><br />
The reports can be downloaded at:<br />
Parenting dynamics after separati<strong>on</strong><br />
A follow-up study <strong>of</strong> parents who separated after<br />
the 2006 family law reforms<br />
Lixia Qu & Ruth West<strong>on</strong><br />
December 2010<br />
www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/Families_<br />
FamilyRelati<strong>on</strong>shipServicesOverview<strong>of</strong>Programs_<br />
Evaluati<strong>on</strong><strong>of</strong>the2006FamilyLawReforms
Bsafe program evaluati<strong>on</strong>, Victoria<br />
Bsafe is a pers<strong>on</strong>al alarm system for high-risk wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong><br />
children escaping family <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong>/or <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>as</strong>sault<br />
who want to remain in <strong>their</strong> home. When activated, it alerts<br />
a twenty-four-hour Vital Call resp<strong>on</strong>se centre <strong>and</strong> police are<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tacted. Trialled in the Hume Regi<strong>on</strong> in Victoria for the<br />
p<strong>as</strong>t three years, the final report <strong>on</strong> the program indicated<br />
that it h<strong>as</strong> been successful in reducing physical <strong>as</strong>saults<br />
<strong>and</strong> interventi<strong>on</strong> order breaches. Although the program<br />
received an Australian Crime <strong>and</strong> Violence Preventi<strong>on</strong><br />
Award in 2010, funding for the program h<strong>as</strong> not yet been<br />
renewed.<br />
Since its imple<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>tati<strong>on</strong>, seventy-two wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> 143<br />
accompanying children have participated in the Bsafe<br />
program. The wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> ranged in age from late teens to<br />
early seventies. All but three wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> in the program were<br />
escaping <strong>violence</strong> by an intimate partner.<br />
It w<strong>as</strong> initially expected that wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> would access Bsafe<br />
for three to six m<strong>on</strong>ths, during the immediate postseparati<strong>on</strong><br />
period. However, many wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> in the program<br />
<strong>use</strong>d Bsafe for a much l<strong>on</strong>ger period, in some c<strong>as</strong>es for the<br />
entire three years. The report emph<strong>as</strong>ised the importance<br />
<strong>of</strong> meeting wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s l<strong>on</strong>g-term support needs, especially<br />
where they are involved in extended family law or criminal<br />
proceedings.<br />
Importantly, wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> who accessed the program were<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sidered to be at high risk <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong>. According to the<br />
report, <strong>of</strong> the seventy-two wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> who <strong>use</strong>d Bsafe:<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
84% had been stalked post-separati<strong>on</strong><br />
81% had received death threats<br />
over three-quarters had experienced strangulati<strong>on</strong><br />
over two-thirds said the perpetrator had threatened or<br />
attempted suicide<br />
two-thirds said the perpetrator had access to weap<strong>on</strong>s<br />
57% said the perpetrator had harmed or threatened to<br />
harm or kill <strong>their</strong> children<br />
43% had been <strong>sexual</strong>ly <strong>as</strong>saulted<br />
40% said the perpetrator had harmed or threatened to<br />
harm or kill pets<br />
a quarter were pregnant or had recently given birth.<br />
The results <strong>of</strong> the program evaluati<strong>on</strong> indicated that Bsafe<br />
w<strong>as</strong> effective in improving the safety <strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
children. One comp<strong>on</strong>ent <strong>of</strong> the evaluati<strong>on</strong> w<strong>as</strong> a series<br />
<strong>of</strong> voluntary questi<strong>on</strong>naires completed by wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> three<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths <strong>and</strong> six m<strong>on</strong>ths after first accessing the program<br />
<strong>and</strong> again <strong>on</strong> exiting the program. Of the thirty-six wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
who completed questi<strong>on</strong>naires:<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
twenty-seven wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> reported a decre<strong>as</strong>e in<br />
interventi<strong>on</strong> order breaches, <strong>of</strong> whom sixteen reported<br />
breaches had ce<strong>as</strong>ed completely<br />
68% had been able to stay in <strong>their</strong> own home <strong>and</strong> a<br />
further 20% had relocated but remained in the same<br />
community; however, 5% remained homeless<br />
50% said Bsafe had <strong>as</strong>sisted them to maintain <strong>their</strong><br />
c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong>s with family, friends <strong>and</strong> social support<br />
networks <strong>and</strong> a further 18% said it had allowed them to<br />
incre<strong>as</strong>e <strong>their</strong> c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
19% felt ‘very safe’ <strong>and</strong> 39% felt ‘safe’ <strong>as</strong> a result <strong>of</strong><br />
using Bsafe.<br />
The final report also dem<strong>on</strong>strated that Bsafe is a<br />
cost effective opti<strong>on</strong>. For a woman with three children<br />
accessing specialist housing support in the Hume<br />
regi<strong>on</strong>, the report estimated that the costs <strong>as</strong>sociated<br />
with accessing refuge or crisis accommodati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> then<br />
returning to <strong>their</strong> home with the support <strong>of</strong> Bsafe w<strong>as</strong><br />
$3755.12. By comparis<strong>on</strong>, the costs <strong>as</strong>sociated with<br />
accessing crisis accommodati<strong>on</strong>, a refuge, transiti<strong>on</strong>al<br />
housing <strong>and</strong> then exiting into private rental w<strong>as</strong> estimated<br />
at $10 195.90 (not including the cost <strong>of</strong> replacing<br />
bel<strong>on</strong>gings <strong>and</strong> ho<strong>use</strong>hold goods, storage, lost income<br />
from work <strong>and</strong> failure to make debt repay<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts).<br />
The report is available <strong>on</strong>line at:<br />
www.whealth.com.au/work_bsafe.html#bsafe_final<br />
For further informati<strong>on</strong>: c<strong>on</strong>tact Rachael MacKay from<br />
the Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s Health Goulburn North E<strong>as</strong>t at<br />
r.mackay@whealth.com.au or <strong>on</strong> (03) 5722 3009.<br />
LOOKING FOR A RESEARCHER<br />
Find Australian researchers working in the field <strong>of</strong><br />
domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Clearingho<strong>use</strong><br />
Researchers Datab<strong>as</strong>e. You can search for<br />
researchers by name, <strong>their</strong> research area, instituti<strong>on</strong><br />
or by keywords.<br />
In the coming m<strong>on</strong>ths, the Clearingho<strong>use</strong> will<br />
be c<strong>on</strong>tacting researchers already listed <strong>on</strong> the<br />
datab<strong>as</strong>e, <strong>as</strong>king them to update <strong>their</strong> c<strong>on</strong>tact <strong>and</strong><br />
research details.<br />
If you want to be listed <strong>on</strong> the Clearingho<strong>use</strong><br />
Researchers Datab<strong>as</strong>e, ple<strong>as</strong>e c<strong>on</strong>tact us at:<br />
clearingho<strong>use</strong>@unsw.edu.au<br />
11<br />
LATEST NEWS FROM THE SECTOR – e-news<br />
If you are looking to keep up to date with the latest news from the sector, subscribe to our m<strong>on</strong>thly e-news service.<br />
Email clearingho<strong>use</strong>@unsw.edu.au, call us <strong>on</strong> (02) 9385 2990 or subscribe <strong>on</strong>line at www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/<br />
subscribe.html to receive updates <strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>ferences <strong>and</strong> events, grants, research <strong>and</strong> resources, good practice<br />
<strong>and</strong> more.<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au
new initiatives<br />
<strong>and</strong> resources<br />
12<br />
newsletter .45<br />
AUSTRALIAN INITIATIVES<br />
Audit <strong>of</strong> the NSW Police Force h<strong>and</strong>ling <strong>of</strong> domestic<br />
<strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> complaints<br />
The NSW Ombudsman h<strong>as</strong> published a report <strong>on</strong><br />
its audit <strong>of</strong> the NSW Police Force’s h<strong>and</strong>ling <strong>of</strong> 289<br />
complaints made in 2008 in relati<strong>on</strong> to domestic <strong>violence</strong><br />
matters. Complaints were raised regarding a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> issues, including alleged poor customer service,<br />
failure to investigate incidents or to investigate incidents<br />
adequately, <strong>and</strong> failure to identify the primary aggressor.<br />
The audit found that overall police resp<strong>on</strong>ded well to<br />
complaints but that some were poorly h<strong>and</strong>led. This report<br />
presents the findings <strong>of</strong> the audit <strong>and</strong> makes nineteen<br />
recom<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>dati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/publicati<strong>on</strong>/PDF/specialreport/<br />
Audit%20<strong>of</strong>%20NSW%20Police%20Force%20<br />
h<strong>and</strong>ling%20<strong>of</strong>%20domestic%20<strong>and</strong>%20family%20<br />
<strong>violence</strong>%20complaints.pdf<br />
New web site for Secretariat <strong>of</strong> Nati<strong>on</strong>al Aboriginal<br />
<strong>and</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>er Child Care<br />
The Secretariat <strong>of</strong> Nati<strong>on</strong>al Aboriginal <strong>and</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>er Child<br />
Care (SNAICC) h<strong>as</strong> launched a new web site, featuring<br />
resources, news <strong>and</strong> key policy pages, with c<strong>on</strong>tent<br />
organised around SNAICC’s priorities. SNAICC’s new look<br />
e-bulletin is also available <strong>on</strong> the web site. You can follow<br />
SNAICC <strong>on</strong> Facebook <strong>and</strong> Twitter.<br />
www.snaicc.<strong>as</strong>n.au<br />
Radio plays <strong>on</strong> domestic<br />
<strong>violence</strong> in multiple<br />
languages<br />
NSW Immigrant Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
Speakout Associati<strong>on</strong> h<strong>as</strong><br />
developed three new radio<br />
plays about domestic <strong>violence</strong><br />
in Arabic, Dari, Dinka, Krio,<br />
M<strong>and</strong>arin, Somali <strong>and</strong><br />
Sudanese Arabic. The plays<br />
are available <strong>as</strong> a pack <strong>of</strong> nine<br />
languages or in single language packs.<br />
speakoutradio.wordpress.com/about<br />
Snapshot report <strong>on</strong> Victorian <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s behaviour<br />
change programs<br />
No To Violence Male Family Violence Preventi<strong>on</strong><br />
Associati<strong>on</strong> h<strong>as</strong> published a new report, Men’s behaviour<br />
change programs in Victoria – a sector snapshot. The<br />
report summarises findings from a 2010 survey <strong>of</strong> Victorian<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s behaviour change program providers <strong>on</strong> dem<strong>and</strong> for<br />
<strong>their</strong> services.<br />
For more informati<strong>on</strong>: c<strong>on</strong>tact No To Violence <strong>on</strong><br />
(03) 9428 3536 or via <strong>their</strong> web site<br />
www.ntv.org.au/pages/c<strong>on</strong>tact-us.php<br />
Latest crime statistics rele<strong>as</strong>ed<br />
New data <strong>on</strong> trends in crime, including domestic <strong>and</strong> family<br />
<strong>violence</strong>, are available from four Australian sources.<br />
The Australian Bureau <strong>of</strong> Statistics h<strong>as</strong> recently rele<strong>as</strong>ed<br />
data <strong>on</strong> crime victimisati<strong>on</strong> in the year 2009-10. Data <strong>on</strong><br />
pers<strong>on</strong>al crime (including physical <strong>as</strong>sault <strong>and</strong> <strong>sexual</strong><br />
<strong>as</strong>sault), ho<strong>use</strong>hold crime <strong>and</strong> social disorder were<br />
compiled from the nati<strong>on</strong>al Crime Victimisati<strong>on</strong> Survey,<br />
c<strong>on</strong>ducted between July 2009 <strong>and</strong> June 2010. Results are<br />
compared against the previous year’s Crime Victimisati<strong>on</strong><br />
Survey.<br />
www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4530.0<br />
In Australian crime: facts & figures 2010, the Australian<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Criminology (AIC) summarises the latest trends<br />
in crime <strong>and</strong> criminal justice. Compiled from a range <strong>of</strong><br />
administrative dat<strong>as</strong>ets <strong>and</strong> surveys, including the records<br />
<strong>of</strong> police, correcti<strong>on</strong>s agencies <strong>and</strong> criminal courts, <strong>and</strong><br />
crime victimisati<strong>on</strong> surveys, it is a <strong>use</strong>ful reference point<br />
<strong>on</strong> categories <strong>and</strong> locati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> crime, victim <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>fender<br />
characteristics, <strong>and</strong> criminal justice resp<strong>on</strong>ses.<br />
www.aic.gov.au/en/publicati<strong>on</strong>s/current%20series/<br />
facts/1-0/2010.<strong>as</strong>px<br />
An interactive tool which allows <strong>use</strong>rs to analyse <strong>and</strong><br />
compare crime statistics from the Australian crime: facts &<br />
figures series is also available <strong>on</strong> the AIC website.<br />
data.aic.gov.au/aic16<br />
The NSW Bureau <strong>of</strong> Crime Statistics <strong>and</strong> Research h<strong>as</strong><br />
rele<strong>as</strong>ed a report <strong>on</strong> the latest trends in NSW recorded<br />
crime statistics. The bureau h<strong>as</strong> compiled data <strong>on</strong> crime<br />
reported to or uncovered by NSW police between January<br />
1995 <strong>and</strong> December 2010, with a focus <strong>on</strong> the final two<br />
years.<br />
www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/bocsar/ll_bocsar.nsf/<br />
vwFiles/RCS2010.pdf/$file/RCS2010.pdf<br />
Aboriginal Family Violence Preventi<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> Legal<br />
Service Victoria policy papers<br />
The Aboriginal Family Violence Preventi<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> Legal<br />
Service Victoria h<strong>as</strong> produced three policy papers aimed<br />
at improving access to justice outcomes <strong>and</strong> service<br />
provisi<strong>on</strong> for Aboriginal <strong>and</strong> Torres Strait Isl<strong>and</strong>er victims/<br />
survivors <strong>of</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>as</strong>sault. The<br />
three papers separately discuss nati<strong>on</strong>al policy issues,<br />
strengthening <strong>on</strong>-the-ground service provisi<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
improving accessibility <strong>of</strong> the legal system.<br />
The papers can be accessed at www.fvpls.org or by<br />
emailing informati<strong>on</strong>@fvpls.org
INTERNATIONAL INTIATIVES<br />
Council <strong>of</strong> Europe adopts new c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>violence</strong> against wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
The Council <strong>of</strong> Europe C<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> Preventing <strong>and</strong><br />
Combating Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> Domestic<br />
Violence h<strong>as</strong> been signed by thirteen countries since it<br />
w<strong>as</strong> adopted by the Committee <strong>of</strong> Ministers in April 2011.<br />
The c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> defines <strong>and</strong> criminalises various forms <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>violence</strong> against wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>, including forced marriage, female<br />
genital mutilati<strong>on</strong>, stalking, physical <strong>and</strong> psychological<br />
<strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
www.coe.int/t/dghl/st<strong>and</strong>ardsetting/<strong>violence</strong>/<br />
default_en.<strong>as</strong>p<br />
Family justice review interim report rele<strong>as</strong>ed in the<br />
United Kingdom<br />
The United Kingdom’s Ministry <strong>of</strong> Justice, the Depart<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
for Educati<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Welsh Assembly Govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
commissi<strong>on</strong>ed a review <strong>of</strong> the family justice system,<br />
starting in 2010. The interim report from the Family Justice<br />
Review panel w<strong>as</strong> rele<strong>as</strong>ed in March 2011.<br />
www.justice.gov.uk/publicati<strong>on</strong>s/family-justice-review.htm<br />
New Zeal<strong>and</strong> Govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t announces review <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Family Court<br />
In April 2011, New Zeal<strong>and</strong> Justice Minister Sim<strong>on</strong> Power<br />
rele<strong>as</strong>ed the terms <strong>of</strong> reference for the review <strong>of</strong> the Family<br />
Court. The review will examine the court’s sustainability,<br />
efficiency, cost effectiveness <strong>and</strong> resp<strong>on</strong>siveness to the<br />
needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>use</strong>rs.<br />
www.justice.govt.nz/policy/justice-systemimprove<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts/family-court-review<br />
Sultana F with Nair S 2011, Purple d<strong>and</strong>eli<strong>on</strong>: a<br />
Muslim woman’s struggle against <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
oppressi<strong>on</strong>, Exisle, Auckl<strong>and</strong><br />
This book is b<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>on</strong> the true<br />
story <strong>of</strong> author Farida Sultana,<br />
who h<strong>as</strong> lived in Bangladesh,<br />
Iran, the United Kingdom <strong>and</strong><br />
New Zeal<strong>and</strong>. In 1995, Farida<br />
established the Shakti Asian<br />
Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s Support Group, now<br />
the Shakti Community Council,<br />
the largest ethnic community<br />
organisati<strong>on</strong> in New Zeal<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Co-author Shila Nair h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
working for Shakti since 2002.<br />
Both wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> are survivors <strong>of</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
WHO training resources <strong>on</strong> <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> injury<br />
preventi<strong>on</strong> available <strong>on</strong>line<br />
The Depart<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>of</strong> Violence <strong>and</strong> Injury Preventi<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Disability at the World Health Organizati<strong>on</strong> (WHO) h<strong>as</strong><br />
developed a series <strong>of</strong> short courses, available for free<br />
<strong>on</strong>line. The courses provide a complete training resource<br />
for facilitators around the world. Designed to be delivered<br />
over two to five days, each course covers a specific injury or<br />
<strong>violence</strong> area.<br />
Each short course c<strong>on</strong>tains: a facilitator’s guide; training<br />
modules, including PowerPoint presentati<strong>on</strong>s; <strong>and</strong><br />
supporting resources, such <strong>as</strong> h<strong>and</strong>outs <strong>and</strong> c<strong>as</strong>e studies.<br />
www.who.int/<strong>violence</strong>_injury_preventi<strong>on</strong>/<br />
capacitybuilding/courses/en/index.html<br />
13<br />
Update <strong>on</strong> programs for children<br />
Closure <strong>of</strong> Peek-A-Boo Club<br />
<strong>and</strong> Addressing Family Violence<br />
Programs<br />
The renowned Melbourne Royal<br />
Children’s Hospital Addressing<br />
Family Violence Programs have<br />
been forced to close due to<br />
lack <strong>of</strong> <strong>on</strong>going funding. These<br />
programs include the Peek-a-Boo<br />
Club, an infant/mother family<br />
<strong>violence</strong> group; PARKAS (Parents<br />
Accepting Resp<strong>on</strong>sibility Kids Are<br />
Safe); Dads <strong>on</strong> Board for fathers<br />
completing a <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s behaviour<br />
change program <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong> infants;<br />
<strong>and</strong> BuBs <strong>on</strong> Board for infants <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>their</strong> mothers living in refuge. The<br />
service also provided training in<br />
family <strong>violence</strong> work addressing<br />
children’s therapeutic <strong>and</strong> support<br />
needs, which had been taken up<br />
by workers from across the nati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The programs ended <strong>on</strong> 30 June<br />
2011.<br />
The Royal Children’s Hospital<br />
programs, run by the team led<br />
by Wendy Bunst<strong>on</strong>, were well<br />
respected within the domestic<br />
<strong>violence</strong> sector <strong>as</strong> good practice<br />
models in working with children<br />
affected by domestic <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
They have w<strong>on</strong> several <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal<br />
health program awards <strong>and</strong> have<br />
been the subject <strong>of</strong> scholarly <strong>and</strong><br />
practiti<strong>on</strong>er publicati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
The Clearingho<strong>use</strong> calls <strong>on</strong> the<br />
Victorian <strong>and</strong> Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth<br />
Govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts to establish secure<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>on</strong>going funding for these<br />
programs <strong>and</strong> to acknowledge<br />
<strong>their</strong> role in promoting both family<br />
wellbeing <strong>and</strong> improved <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal<br />
health outcomes for children <strong>and</strong><br />
wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> who have lived with family<br />
<strong>violence</strong>.<br />
Safe from the Start now nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
The T<strong>as</strong>manian Safe from the Start<br />
program h<strong>as</strong> recently exp<strong>and</strong>ed<br />
to provide nati<strong>on</strong>al coverage for<br />
its ‘train the trainer’ workshops,<br />
which aim to raise awareness <strong>of</strong><br />
the impacts <strong>of</strong> domestic <strong>violence</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
children. The workshops have been<br />
promoted at several Australian <strong>and</strong><br />
internati<strong>on</strong>al c<strong>on</strong>ferences, <strong>and</strong> are<br />
b<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>on</strong> developing knowledge<br />
from the field <strong>of</strong> neuroscience about<br />
brain develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t in children.<br />
The Safe from the Start program<br />
also provides resources <strong>and</strong> tools<br />
for work with children, including<br />
books, activities, puppets <strong>and</strong> visual<br />
materials.<br />
Safe from the Start is a project <strong>of</strong><br />
the Salvati<strong>on</strong> Army. Resources can<br />
be purch<strong>as</strong>ed by emailing:<br />
nell.kuilenburg@<br />
aus.salvati<strong>on</strong>army.org<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au
eview<br />
AVert FAMILY VioLENCE: COLLaboratiVE reSPONSES IN THE FAMILY LAW SYSteM<br />
REVIEW BY LIBBY WATSON, CLEARINGHOUSE GOOD PRACTICE OFFICER<br />
Australian Institute <strong>of</strong> Social Relati<strong>on</strong>s & Relati<strong>on</strong>ships Australia South Australia & Australian Govern<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t<br />
Attorney-General’s Depart<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t Family Law Branch 2010, AVERT family <strong>violence</strong>: collaborative resp<strong>on</strong>ses in the<br />
family law system, Attorney-General’s Depart<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t, Canberra<br />
In March 2011, the Comm<strong>on</strong>wealth Attorney-General<br />
launched AVERT, a multi-disciplinary training package<br />
for pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als working in the family law system. The<br />
package w<strong>as</strong> produced by Relati<strong>on</strong>ships Australia South<br />
Australia (RASA).<br />
The AVERT package aims to provide the <strong>use</strong>r with<br />
resources to design training that will give pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als in<br />
the family law system an underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> family <strong>violence</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong>, importantly, practical strategies to resp<strong>on</strong>d to family<br />
<strong>violence</strong>. A sec<strong>on</strong>d aim <strong>of</strong> the package is the promoti<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> multi-disciplinary collaborati<strong>on</strong> between pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als<br />
working in the family law system.<br />
14<br />
newsletter .45<br />
Throughout AVERT, it is made clear that family <strong>violence</strong> is a<br />
complex issue <strong>and</strong> that it is not solely the resp<strong>on</strong>sibility <strong>of</strong><br />
particular groups <strong>of</strong> ‘specialists’ to resp<strong>on</strong>d to risk. Rather,<br />
safety is the business <strong>of</strong> all pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als involved in the<br />
system. AVERT is underpinned by the philosophy that<br />
<strong>violence</strong> is gendered <strong>and</strong> that perpetrators <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong> are<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sible for <strong>their</strong> behaviour.<br />
AVERT lists its target pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>as</strong> follows: legal<br />
practiti<strong>on</strong>ers, judicial <strong>of</strong>ficers, counsellors, psychologists,<br />
social workers, legal advisers, court staff (including family<br />
report writers), family dispute resoluti<strong>on</strong> practiti<strong>on</strong>ers <strong>and</strong><br />
child c<strong>on</strong>tact service workers. This wide-ranging, multidisciplinary<br />
audience means that the package h<strong>as</strong> to cover<br />
much ground, from b<strong>as</strong>ic legal issues <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong><br />
facts to children’s needs <strong>and</strong> good practice examples.<br />
There is a wealth <strong>of</strong> material to be found in this resource.<br />
The topics addressed include:<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
di<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>si<strong>on</strong>s, dynamics <strong>and</strong> impacts <strong>of</strong> family <strong>violence</strong><br />
legal frameworks<br />
screening, risk <strong>as</strong>sess<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t <strong>and</strong> safety<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>ding to cultural diversity<br />
engaging people who <strong>use</strong> <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
Multi-disciplinary collaborative practice underpins the<br />
package <strong>and</strong> is encouraged throughout.<br />
The AVERT package is presented <strong>as</strong> a pack <strong>of</strong> five DVD-<br />
ROMs or it can be accessed <strong>on</strong>line (see below). The<br />
‘How to <strong>use</strong> the AVERT training package’ link (found<br />
in DVD-ROM 1) provides a thorough overview <strong>of</strong> the<br />
resources, including descripti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> the videos, <strong>and</strong><br />
explains how the package h<strong>as</strong> been designed to be <strong>use</strong>d.<br />
creativecomm<strong>on</strong>s.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/au/legalcode<br />
The package includes sample training programs, fact<br />
sheets, PowerPoint slides, discussi<strong>on</strong> papers <strong>and</strong> course<br />
evaluati<strong>on</strong> forms. There are a number <strong>of</strong> training exercises<br />
<strong>and</strong> video resources (such <strong>as</strong> dramatised scenarios,<br />
opini<strong>on</strong> pieces, expert discussi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> testim<strong>on</strong>ials). An<br />
additi<strong>on</strong>al feature is the ‘<strong>on</strong>line cl<strong>as</strong>sroom’ which is a family<br />
<strong>violence</strong> ‘employee inducti<strong>on</strong> program’. The cl<strong>as</strong>sroom is<br />
self-paced <strong>and</strong> can be completed in approximately three<br />
hours.<br />
Also included is a formal <strong>as</strong>sess<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t booklet for the<br />
Multidisciplinary Skills Five Day Training Program. This<br />
recom<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ded program h<strong>as</strong> been aligned to competencies<br />
within the Australian Qualificati<strong>on</strong>s framework.<br />
AVERT does not set out a definitive training program.<br />
Rather, it provides several example programs, ranging from<br />
two-hour sessi<strong>on</strong>s to a five-day intensive workshop, with<br />
a number <strong>of</strong> different resources for trainers to design <strong>their</strong><br />
own program around the topics. Sample training programs<br />
for various pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>al groups are included.<br />
AVERT’s flexibility allows a trainer to design <strong>their</strong> own<br />
program with access to an excellent range <strong>of</strong> resources<br />
available at the ‘click <strong>of</strong> a butt<strong>on</strong>’. It should be noted,<br />
however, that although the authors <strong>of</strong> AVERT give the<br />
trainer a lot <strong>of</strong> scope to devise <strong>their</strong> own package, in the<br />
introducti<strong>on</strong> they are clear about what c<strong>on</strong>stitutes best<br />
practice <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong> expectati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> trainers who <strong>use</strong> the<br />
AVERT resources.
Using AVERT in the cl<strong>as</strong>sroom<br />
From a trainer’s perspective, the resources c<strong>on</strong>tained<br />
within AVERT are exciting <strong>and</strong> there are many potential<br />
<strong>use</strong>s for them. The training exercises are relevant <strong>and</strong><br />
interesting, while the video testim<strong>on</strong>ials <strong>and</strong> dramatisati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
are <strong>power</strong>ful. The video dramatisati<strong>on</strong>s fill an important<br />
gap, <strong>as</strong> there is a lack <strong>of</strong> local, current <strong>and</strong> well-acted<br />
material available.<br />
Examples include clients’ interviews with <strong>their</strong> lawyers<br />
(‘Jaber <strong>and</strong> Zahra’s story’) <strong>and</strong> a family dispute resoluti<strong>on</strong><br />
practiti<strong>on</strong>er’s initial interviews with both parties, in ‘T<strong>on</strong>y<br />
<strong>and</strong> Jessica’s story’. In the latter example, AVERT<br />
effectively c<strong>on</strong>veys how risks can be identified where no<br />
physical <strong>violence</strong> in the relati<strong>on</strong>ship is depicted <strong>and</strong> the<br />
client does not herself identify the family <strong>violence</strong>. Here,<br />
the family dispute resoluti<strong>on</strong> practiti<strong>on</strong>er is shown taking<br />
this c<strong>as</strong>e to supervisi<strong>on</strong>, al<strong>on</strong>g with her subsequent<br />
interview with ‘Jessica’.<br />
Each <strong>of</strong> the dramatisati<strong>on</strong>s is followed by two or three<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>al com<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>taries, which give weight to the issues<br />
covered in the scenarios <strong>and</strong> highlight what is important<br />
for different pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als involved in the same c<strong>as</strong>e. This<br />
gives viewers an opportunity to learn about the focus <strong>of</strong> the<br />
different pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>als in the system <strong>and</strong> also highlights that<br />
there are many ways <strong>of</strong> c<strong>on</strong>sidering the same scenario.<br />
Future improve<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts <strong>of</strong> the package might include the<br />
additi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> a sample training program for family dispute<br />
resoluti<strong>on</strong> practiti<strong>on</strong>ers. While sample programs for other<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>al groups are included, this sector, arguably<br />
<strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> the key pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>s that could benefit from good<br />
practice-foc<strong>use</strong>d family <strong>violence</strong> training, h<strong>as</strong> been<br />
omitted. Certainly there are plenty <strong>of</strong> good resources in<br />
the package to plan training for family dispute resoluti<strong>on</strong><br />
practiti<strong>on</strong>ers but it would be interesting to see how the<br />
authors <strong>of</strong> AVERT would approach this t<strong>as</strong>k <strong>and</strong> what they<br />
might suggest.<br />
AVERT is b<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>on</strong> sound adult learning principles. For<br />
those who facilitate family <strong>violence</strong> training, especially within<br />
the family law system, it is worth spending some time to<br />
become familiar with all AVERT h<strong>as</strong> to <strong>of</strong>fer. AVERT is free<br />
<strong>of</strong> charge, highly accessible <strong>and</strong>, in the l<strong>on</strong>g run, using this<br />
package could save trainers much time <strong>and</strong> energy, with so<br />
many quality resources <strong>and</strong> ide<strong>as</strong> in <strong>on</strong>e place.<br />
AVERT is available for download at<br />
www.avertfamily<strong>violence</strong>.com.au<br />
15<br />
The AVERT package features opini<strong>on</strong> pieces, expert discussi<strong>on</strong>s, testim<strong>on</strong>ials <strong>and</strong> dramatised scenarios, followed by pr<strong>of</strong>essi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
com<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>taries <strong>on</strong> the scenarios<br />
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK<br />
The Clearingho<strong>use</strong> is running a survey to find out what our <strong>use</strong>rs think <strong>of</strong> our services <strong>and</strong> publicati<strong>on</strong>s. Your<br />
feedback is very important to us.<br />
The survey is available <strong>on</strong>line until Sunday, 31 July 2011 <strong>and</strong> should take about ten to fifteen minutes to complete.<br />
Your answers are an<strong>on</strong>ymous <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>fidential.<br />
To fill in the survey, go to: www.surveym<strong>on</strong>key.com/s/Clearingho<strong>use</strong>SurveyJuly2011<br />
If you have any questi<strong>on</strong>s about the survey, ple<strong>as</strong>e c<strong>on</strong>tact us at clearingho<strong>use</strong>@unsw.edu.au or (02) 9385 2990.<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au
ecent additi<strong>on</strong>s to the<br />
research <strong>and</strong> resources datab<strong>as</strong>e<br />
Search our datab<strong>as</strong>e <strong>of</strong> over 5000 articles, reports, books <strong>and</strong> other resources <strong>on</strong> domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong>:<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/research.html<br />
16<br />
ARTICLES<br />
Belknap J & McD<strong>on</strong>ald C 2010, ‘Judges’ attitudes<br />
about <strong>and</strong> experiences with sentencing circles in<br />
intimate-partner ab<strong>use</strong> c<strong>as</strong>es’, Canadian Journal<br />
<strong>of</strong> Criminology <strong>and</strong> Criminal Justice/La Revue<br />
canadienne de criminologie et de justice pénale,<br />
vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 369-395<br />
This article reports <strong>on</strong> a study interviewing twenty-seven<br />
judges in Canada about <strong>their</strong> attitudes <strong>and</strong> experiences<br />
with the <strong>use</strong> <strong>of</strong> restorative justice in intimate partner<br />
<strong>violence</strong> c<strong>as</strong>es in 1998, prior to significant legislative<br />
changes. The authors particularly focus <strong>on</strong> the applicati<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> restorative justice to Aboriginal <strong>and</strong> First Nati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
peoples.<br />
Hopkins A & E<strong>as</strong>teal P 2010, ‘Walking in her shoes:<br />
battered wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> who kill in Queensl<strong>and</strong>, Victoria <strong>and</strong><br />
Western Australia’, Alternative Law Journal,<br />
vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 132-137<br />
This article examines legislative reforms which require<br />
judges <strong>and</strong> jurors in the comm<strong>on</strong> law applicati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> selfdefence<br />
to c<strong>on</strong>sider the experiences <strong>of</strong> an ab<strong>use</strong>d woman<br />
who h<strong>as</strong> killed her partner.<br />
Miller E, Decker MR, McCauley HL, Tancredi<br />
DJ, Levens<strong>on</strong> RR, Waldman J, Schoenwald P &<br />
Silverman JG 2010, ‘Pregnancy coerci<strong>on</strong>, intimate<br />
partner <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> unintended pregnancy’,<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tracepti<strong>on</strong>, vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 316-322<br />
This article reports the findings from a United States study<br />
that surveyed 1278 wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> accessing family planning<br />
services about <strong>their</strong> experiences with physical <strong>and</strong> <strong>sexual</strong><br />
partner <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> male partners’ attempts to c<strong>on</strong>trol<br />
<strong>their</strong> reproductive choices. The authors found that 53%<br />
<strong>of</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> reported physical or <strong>sexual</strong> partner <strong>violence</strong>,<br />
19% reported pregnancy coerci<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> 15% reported<br />
birth c<strong>on</strong>trol sabotage. They discuss implicati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong><br />
recom<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>dati<strong>on</strong>s for health provider screening.<br />
Sutherl<strong>and</strong> MA 2011, ‘Implicati<strong>on</strong>s for <strong>violence</strong> in<br />
adolescent dating experiences’, JOGNN: Journal <strong>of</strong><br />
Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Ne<strong>on</strong>atal Nursing, vol. 40,<br />
no. 2, pp. 225-234<br />
This article explores issues <strong>as</strong>sociated with <strong>violence</strong> in<br />
adolescent dating experiences including the definiti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
dating <strong>violence</strong>, forms <strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>as</strong>sociated health<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sequences. The author provides <strong>as</strong>sess<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t tools<br />
<strong>and</strong> techniques <strong>use</strong>ful for nurses in the clinical setting.<br />
Strategies for intervening in situati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> adolescent dating<br />
<strong>violence</strong> are also <strong>of</strong>fered.<br />
REPORTS<br />
Rawsthorne M, Chivell A & Smith A 2010, Aboriginal<br />
wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> against <strong>violence</strong> project: evaluati<strong>on</strong> report,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Sydney, Sydney<br />
This report summarises the evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Aboriginal<br />
Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> Against Violence Project, which w<strong>as</strong> b<strong>as</strong>ed in<br />
the Sydney suburbs <strong>of</strong> Liverpool <strong>and</strong> Campbelltown.<br />
The evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>use</strong>d a mixed methods approach<br />
using questi<strong>on</strong>naires, focus groups, artwork, written<br />
feedback <strong>and</strong> key informant interviews. The report<br />
includes a discussi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> the challenges <strong>and</strong> approaches<br />
to c<strong>on</strong>ducting a program evaluati<strong>on</strong> using culturally<br />
appropriate methods.<br />
RESOURCES<br />
PATH 2010, M<strong>on</strong>itoring <strong>and</strong> evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> initiatives<br />
<strong>on</strong> <strong>violence</strong> against wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> girls, UNIFEM, New<br />
York<br />
The United Nati<strong>on</strong>s Develop<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t Fund for Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
(UNIFEM) h<strong>as</strong> established a knowledge centre <strong>on</strong> issues<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>violence</strong> against wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> girls. This guide from the<br />
knowledge centre includes definiti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> advice <strong>on</strong> how<br />
to c<strong>on</strong>duct m<strong>on</strong>itoring <strong>and</strong> evaluati<strong>on</strong>. The guide includes<br />
c<strong>as</strong>e studies.<br />
newsletter .45<br />
Miller SL & Smolter NL 2011, ‘“Paper ab<strong>use</strong>”: when<br />
all else fails, batterers <strong>use</strong> procedural stalking’,<br />
Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>, vol. 17, no. 5, pp. 637-650<br />
Using data from in-depth interviews with wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> who have<br />
left violent relati<strong>on</strong>ships, attorneys <strong>and</strong> practiti<strong>on</strong>ers/policy<br />
specialists, this research note explores the c<strong>on</strong>tinuati<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trol <strong>as</strong> wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> encounter ‘paper ab<strong>use</strong>’. It explores<br />
how the barrage <strong>of</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s frivolous lawsuits, false reports<br />
<strong>of</strong> child ab<strong>use</strong> <strong>and</strong> other system-related manipulati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
exerts <strong>power</strong>, forces c<strong>on</strong>tact <strong>and</strong> financially burdens <strong>their</strong><br />
ex-partners.<br />
CAN’T FIND A PUBLICATION<br />
The Clearingho<strong>use</strong> can provide you with an<br />
electr<strong>on</strong>ic or photocopied versi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> publicati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<strong>on</strong> our datab<strong>as</strong>e that are not publicly available.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tact the Research <strong>and</strong> Informati<strong>on</strong> Officer at<br />
clearingho<strong>use</strong>@unsw.edu.au or <strong>on</strong> (02) 9385 2990<br />
or 1800 753 382.
practice notes<br />
LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE: THE FUTURE PARENTS PROGRAM BY MEGAN SETY,<br />
CLEARINGHOUSE RESEARCH AND INFORMATION OFFICER<br />
This year saw the Mackay-b<strong>as</strong>ed Centre for Domestic <strong>and</strong><br />
Family Violence Research’s annual Indigenous Family Violence<br />
Preventi<strong>on</strong> Forum alternate from a nati<strong>on</strong>al to a regi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Queensl<strong>and</strong> focus. Plenary sessi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>and</strong> yarning circles<br />
gave attendees opportunities to hear <strong>and</strong> <strong>as</strong>k questi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
about innovative programs for Aboriginal <strong>and</strong> Torres Strait<br />
Isl<strong>and</strong>er families. Throughout the c<strong>on</strong>ference, presentati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<strong>and</strong> discussi<strong>on</strong>s highlighted opportunities <strong>and</strong> challenges<br />
in primary preventi<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> early interventi<strong>on</strong> for children <strong>and</strong><br />
young people.<br />
Save the Children Australia’s Future Parents Program w<strong>as</strong><br />
<strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> the l<strong>on</strong>ger running programs featured at the forum.<br />
This early interventi<strong>on</strong> model seeks to <strong>as</strong>sist young people<br />
in creating safer envir<strong>on</strong><str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts for children within <strong>their</strong><br />
community. The program incre<strong>as</strong>es young people’s capacity<br />
to identify dangerous situati<strong>on</strong>s for children <strong>and</strong> develops <strong>their</strong><br />
awareness <strong>of</strong> strategies to keep themselves <strong>and</strong> children safe.<br />
Delivered through a twenty-hour fun <strong>and</strong> interactive course,<br />
the program is designed for young people aged thirteen to<br />
nineteen. It addresses safe <strong>and</strong> positive childcare practices,<br />
healthy relati<strong>on</strong>ships, problem solving <strong>and</strong> c<strong>on</strong>flict negotiati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The program incre<strong>as</strong>es young people’s access to support<br />
services through the strategic inclusi<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> relevant community<br />
c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
The Future Parents Program w<strong>as</strong> developed in 1989 <strong>and</strong><br />
Save the Children currently delivers courses to young people<br />
in Queensl<strong>and</strong>, New South Wales, South Australia, Western<br />
Australia <strong>and</strong> the Northern Territory. Originally designed <strong>as</strong><br />
a general program for young people, it h<strong>as</strong> been adapted for<br />
Aboriginal <strong>and</strong> Torres Strait Isl<strong>and</strong>er young people <strong>and</strong> each<br />
course is specifically tailored for individual communities.<br />
communities. In additi<strong>on</strong> to maintaining the core structure<br />
<strong>and</strong> ‘not changing what works’, Leanne <strong>and</strong> Terri-Anne felt<br />
that clear <strong>and</strong> sustainable objectives, a commit<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t to<br />
building str<strong>on</strong>g partnerships, quality evaluati<strong>on</strong> tools, initial<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>on</strong>going quality training <strong>and</strong> a flexible approach were<br />
essential to the program’s success. They also emph<strong>as</strong>ised the<br />
need to respect <strong>and</strong> incorporate feedback from young people<br />
wherever possible.<br />
At an individual level, p<strong>as</strong>si<strong>on</strong>, commit<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>t, self-care,<br />
knowledge <strong>of</strong> the program <strong>and</strong> respect for the community<br />
made the difference in sustainable work. Respect for<br />
the community surfaced <strong>as</strong> a theme in many <strong>of</strong> <strong>their</strong><br />
recom<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>dati<strong>on</strong>s around networking <strong>and</strong> successful<br />
partnerships, including holding pre-planning meetings to<br />
tailor the program, knowing <strong>and</strong> acknowledging community<br />
protocols, aiming to meet the needs <strong>of</strong> the target group <strong>and</strong><br />
keeping your focus to avoid politics. When starting out,<br />
Leanne <strong>and</strong> Terri-Anne emph<strong>as</strong>ised the need to be c<strong>on</strong>fident<br />
in knowing your program <strong>and</strong> to be able to see a future for<br />
the program b<strong>as</strong>ed <strong>on</strong> clear objectives <strong>and</strong> a sustainable<br />
approach.<br />
Although I have <strong>on</strong>ly highlighted <strong>on</strong>e program here, the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>ference featured presentati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> many other programs<br />
which <strong>of</strong>fer ide<strong>as</strong> <strong>and</strong> models for developing future work.<br />
From art therapy to trauma-informed practice frameworks,<br />
from school-b<strong>as</strong>ed programs to interventi<strong>on</strong>s with violent <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
programs covered the full spectrum <strong>of</strong> community-b<strong>as</strong>ed<br />
initiatives needed to prevent <strong>and</strong> reduce family <strong>violence</strong>.<br />
For more informati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the Future Parents Program,<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tact Leanne Smith <strong>on</strong> (07) 3844 2699.<br />
17<br />
Attending the c<strong>on</strong>ference to speak about the Future Parents<br />
Program were Leanne Smith (Program Coordinator) <strong>and</strong><br />
Terri-Anne Goodreid (Program Facilitator) from Queensl<strong>and</strong>’s<br />
arm <strong>of</strong> Save the Children. With incre<strong>as</strong>ing focus <strong>on</strong> respectful<br />
relati<strong>on</strong>ships <strong>and</strong> <strong>as</strong>sociated funding under the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Plan<br />
to Reduce Violence Against Wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>and</strong> <strong>their</strong> Children, I w<strong>as</strong><br />
interested to know what they felt others could learn from the<br />
experience <strong>of</strong> the Future Parents Program. I <strong>as</strong>ked them what<br />
made the program successful <strong>and</strong> whether they had any tips<br />
for others starting out.<br />
Leanne <strong>and</strong> Terri-Anne attributed the program’s l<strong>on</strong>g running<br />
success <strong>and</strong> expansi<strong>on</strong> to a variety <strong>of</strong> individual, program<br />
<strong>and</strong> community factors. The program itself h<strong>as</strong> changed<br />
little over time, with two key excepti<strong>on</strong>s: first, c<strong>on</strong>tent <strong>on</strong><br />
domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> h<strong>as</strong> been added; <strong>and</strong> sec<strong>on</strong>d,<br />
the program h<strong>as</strong> been adapted for specific groups, including<br />
young <str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>, young parents <strong>and</strong> young people from Aboriginal<br />
For the c<strong>on</strong>ference program, speakers’ presentati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<strong>and</strong> forum report, visit the Queensl<strong>and</strong> Centre for<br />
Domestic <strong>and</strong> Family Violence Research web site at<br />
www.not<strong>violence</strong>.com.au<br />
The Clearingho<strong>use</strong>’s Good Practice datab<strong>as</strong>e<br />
also c<strong>on</strong>tains a growing collecti<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> examples <strong>of</strong><br />
Australian domestic <strong>violence</strong>-related programs,<br />
services <strong>and</strong> resp<strong>on</strong>ses which reflect ele<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>ts <strong>of</strong><br />
good practice: www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/good_<br />
practice.html<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au
latest clearingho<strong>use</strong><br />
publicati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
See all Clearingho<strong>use</strong> publicati<strong>on</strong>s at: www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/publicati<strong>on</strong>s.html<br />
You can be notified when Clearingho<strong>use</strong> papers are published <strong>on</strong> our web site. Just c<strong>on</strong>tact us<br />
<strong>on</strong> (02) 9385 2990 or subscribe <strong>on</strong>line: www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/subscribe.html<br />
Research papers<br />
Issue Papers<br />
à à<br />
.45<br />
newsletter<br />
Hovane V & Cox D 2011, ‘Closing the gap <strong>on</strong> family <strong>violence</strong>: driving preventi<strong>on</strong> <strong>and</strong> interventi<strong>on</strong> through health<br />
policy’, Issues Paper 21<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/issues_Papers.htm<br />
Other resources<br />
C<strong>on</strong>ference Papers<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
à à<br />
Barrett Meyering I 2011 ‘Compensating domestic <strong>violence</strong> victims: how do the states <strong>and</strong> territories compare’,<br />
Meeting the Needs <strong>of</strong> Victims <strong>of</strong> Crime C<strong>on</strong>ference, Sydney, 18-19 May<br />
Braaf R 2011, ‘Preventing domestic <strong>violence</strong> death – is intimate partner <strong>sexual</strong> <strong>as</strong>sault a risk factor’, Domestic<br />
Violence Deaths: Risks, Resp<strong>on</strong>sibility <strong>and</strong> Review, Sydney, 20 May<br />
Braaf R 2011, ‘Fostering ab<strong>use</strong>d wo<str<strong>on</strong>g>men</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s safety through financial independence: the em<strong>power</strong>ing role that<br />
services <strong>and</strong> agencies can play’, Meeting the Needs <strong>of</strong> Victims <strong>of</strong> Crime C<strong>on</strong>ference, Sydney, 18-19 May<br />
Marcus G 2011, ‘Integrated resp<strong>on</strong>ses to domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong>: what, how, when <strong>and</strong> why’, Meeting the<br />
Needs <strong>of</strong> Victims <strong>of</strong> Crime C<strong>on</strong>ference, Sydney, 18-19 May<br />
McFerran L 2011, Panel sessi<strong>on</strong>: ‘Aged care <strong>and</strong> homelessness’, Australian Council <strong>of</strong> Social Services (ACOSS)<br />
2011 Nati<strong>on</strong>al C<strong>on</strong>ference, Melbourne, 29-30 March<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/other_publicati<strong>on</strong>s.htm<br />
F<strong>as</strong>t Facts<br />
à à<br />
Campbell R 2011, The financial cost <strong>of</strong> domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong>, F<strong>as</strong>t Facts 3<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/f<strong>as</strong>t_facts.htm<br />
Special Collecti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
à à<br />
Refugees <strong>and</strong> domestic <strong>and</strong> family <strong>violence</strong> (updated)<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/specialcollecti<strong>on</strong>srefugees.htm<br />
Web Pages<br />
àà<br />
àà<br />
Domestic Violence Deaths: Risk, Resp<strong>on</strong>sibility <strong>and</strong> Review forum podc<strong>as</strong>ts (forthcoming)<br />
Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: Best Practice Resp<strong>on</strong>ses forum <strong>and</strong> training podc<strong>as</strong>ts (forthcoming)<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au/c<strong>on</strong>ference_proceedings.htm<br />
Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearingho<strong>use</strong><br />
The University <strong>of</strong> New South Wales, NSW Australia 2052<br />
T +61 2 9385 2990 freecall 1800 753 382<br />
F +61 2 9385 2993 E clearingho<strong>use</strong>@unsw.edu.au<br />
www.adfvc.unsw.edu.au