AT.19.03
Improving family violence legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men who are perpetrators of family violence
December 2020
This project explores the practical and legal supports available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men who are perpetrators of family violence. These supports are a key part of evolving policy and legislative landscapes that aim to address the high levels of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family violence in Australia.
Using a participatory methodology that included semi-structured interviews, focus groups and participant observation across the Victorian and New South Wales towns of Mildura and Albury–Wodonga, this project documents service practice in each location to provide insights into how those services are experienced by those using them, and those working within them.
Rather than providing a formal evaluation of the services, the resulting data was analysed to map the supports available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male perpetrators of family violence.
The final report emphasises the need for addressing underlying complexities that contribute to the perpetration of violence. It recommends the expansion of support services such as therapeutic counselling, Aboriginal-specific men’s behaviour change programs, alcohol and other drugs rehabilitation and counselling, and mental health services. The report also highlights the need for increased resourcing for the training of service providers who work with perpetrators.
Researchers
Principal Chief Investigators
Professor Marcia Langton, University of Melbourne
Chief Investigators
Dr Kristen Smith, University of Melbourne
Tahlia Eastman, University of Melbourne
Dr Lily O’Neill, University of Melbourne
Emily Cheesman, University of Melbourne
Dr Meribah Rose, University of Melbourne
Downloads
Research report
Family violence policies, legislation and services: Improving access and suitability for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men
Download
research summary
Improving family violence legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Key findings and future directions
Downloadsee also
Budget
$199,819
Funded by Commonwealth Department of Social Services.
find out more
Contact ANROWS
PO Box Q389, Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230
Email: [email protected]