PEOPLE WHO USE VIOLENCE (NPRF 24.14)
Understanding the healing and system needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers and boys to guide the development of a culturally grounded practice framework
18 months
This research proposal builds on previous research by the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP) about strengthening our service and system responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who experience domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV).
Results from this study identified that research is urgently needed to better understand what fathers and boys need to heal from childhood experiences of DFSV and to guide the provision of culturally strong services that break cycles of violence.
Research aims
To identify the healing and system needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fathers and boys who have experienced or perpetrated DFSV and to determine the best healing pathways and effective service response through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural lens.
Methods
This study will use an action research methodology, drawing on the principles and process of Aboriginal Participatory Action Research, within a developmental research framework. The developmental research framework focuses on innovation to emergent complex issues. This framework will help the participating organisations to conceptualise, design and test new approaches.
The project will recruit male and female community-based researchers across five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing Services in urban, rural, regional and remote Queensland. These community-based researchers will engage local stakeholders, community leaders, children and families to understand what works and what are the gaps and enablers to healing fathers and boys.
The project will consist of four stages that will include:
- co-design workshops to identify research questions, a theory of change and program logic model
- reflective journalling by the community researchers
- interviews and focus groups with service users, service providers and children and young people.
The project will develop and refine a best practice framework for working with fathers and boys that can be used across Queensland.
Significance
The research will contribute to the growth and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led research, which is critical to the development of an evidence base reflective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander worldviews, knowledge and expertise. The project approach recognises that the best outcomes in community wellbeing are achieved when First Nations people can respond and address the problems facing their own communities.
The findings from the research will inform the development of a best practice framework and resources that can be used across service systems. The research team will incorporate considerations for adaption of the resources in different jurisdictions to help ensure their relevance and use.
Researchers
Project lead
Garth Morgan, CEO, QATSICPP
Research team
Candice Butler, Director, Centre of Excellence at QATSICPP
Professor Elena Marchetti, Co-Lead, Disrupting Violence Beacon and Professor of Law, Griffith University
Dr Lisa Thomsen, Research Fellow, Griffith University
Professor Daryl Higgins, Director, Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU
Justin Power, Director, Member Services, QATSICPP
Reno French, Project Officer, QATSICPP
Madeline Lea, Deputy CEO, QATSICPP
Lenny Dahlen, Manager, Member Engagement, QATSICPP
Community researchers
Budget
$208,451 (excluding GST)
This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.