EXTERNALLY FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
KODY – Researching an all-of-family program in family violence and substance misuse
Background
The co-occurrence of domestic and family violence (DFV) with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) issues is shown to significantly increase the severity of abuse and violence experienced by family members. AOD issues are also an established risk factor for DFV recidivism. The perpetrators of DFV are predominantly men; their victims, women and children. Programs for men who use violence generally focus on addressing the violence and abuse directed at women (their partners or ex-partners). Children, who are half of those affected, are rarely in focus. This research will evaluate the KODY program (Kids First [Caring Dads] and Odyssey House) which integrates all-of-family support with a group work program for fathers who use violence as well as have AOD issues.
Aim
The project has a range of aims, including evaluating the KODY program’s effectiveness in supporting safety for mothers and children; understanding the combined impact of DFV and AOD, and the implications for service responses as well as the processes that strengthen the integration of the DFV and AOD sectors; and bridging practice and policy silos.
Methods
The KODY research comprises:
1) a traditional quasi-experimental summative evaluation and formative evaluation
2) a developmental evaluation to explore specific innovations in the project.
Research components investigating all-of-family service approaches and incorporating children’s voices and cross-sectoral collaboration and the policy context will be developed using action research principles. A range of methodologies and data collection methods will be used, underpinning the program of evaluation with mixed methods.