PEOPLE WHO USE VIOLENCE (NPRF 24.07)
Learning from the stories of young Aboriginal men and adolescents convicted of domestic, family and sexual violence
2 years
The complex pathways to using domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) are compounded for young Aboriginal men and children. Despite this, research has largely neglected to hear their perspectives.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan 2023–2025 identifies men as a priority group, affirming that if actions are to address gender-based violence they must include First Nation’s men, support their healing, and build strong and positive models of masculinity for men and boys.
Research aims
This project aims to hear from the experiences of young Aboriginal men, adolescents and stakeholders to understand DFSV perpetration risk factors, identify mechanism for support, review the effectiveness of existing programs and recommend culturally safe interventions.
Methods
The project will be conducted in Western Australia using mixed methods, key components include:
- a phenomenological research design, in which narrative interviews will explore participants’ lived experiences
- data from nationally developed standardised measures of social and emotional wellbeing, health and violent behaviours, which will be collected to screen social and emotional wellbeing status.
Participants include Aboriginal young men and adolescents currently in juvenile detention or prison or who have been released within the two previous years, and external stakeholders, which will include participants from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) and relevant government and other services.
Significance
To break the cycle of violence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people must have opportunities to heal from experiences of violence, and to address their own use of harmful DFSV behaviours.
Study findings and recommendations around risk factors, and what works to assist young Aboriginal men in changing behaviours around DFSV, will be used to inform the implementation of health and other interventions in WA aimed at addressing factors related to young people’s use of DFSV, particularly those relating to experiences of abuse.
Findings and resulting interventions will be of wider relevance to national and other state and territory jurisdictions.
Researchers
Project lead
Dr Jocelyn Jones, Vice Chancellor Associate Professorial Research Fellow, Kurongkurl Katitjin, Edith Cowan University
Research team
Professor John Gilroy, Professor of Indigenous Health and Disability, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney
Mr Robert Shaw, Lecturer, Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University
Associate Professor Hannah McGlade, Associate Professor Expert Member, Curtin University Law School, UN Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues
Dr Lynn Roarty, Senior Research Officer, Maladjiny Research Centre, Edith Cowan University and Adjunct Research Fellow, National Drug Research Institute (NDRI), Curtin University
Mr Devon Cuimara, Founder and CEO, Aboriginal Males Health Centre Strong Spirit Strong Families Strong Culture Inc (AMHC)
Professor Richard Chenhall, Professor in Medical Anthropology and Director of the Centre for Health Equity, University of Melbourne
Budget
$360,811.00 (excluding GST)
This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.