EXTERNALLY FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
Whole of family approaches for addressing family violence: An Aboriginal Lens on the Safe & Together Framework (ALFies)
Background
The ALFies project is one of a series of research collaborations between the University of Melbourne and the Safe & Together Institute which built evidence about effective approaches to working with families living with DFV (PATRICIA, Invisible Practices, STACY and ESTIE). The Safe & Together Model focuses on partnering with protective parents to keep children safe and together with them, while also ensuring other family members remain visible, accountable, and where possible engaged in the response. The project builds on two projects funded by NSW Ministry of Health which explored the intersection of substance use and mental health with family violence.
Aim
a) To develop a greater understanding of whole of family practices when there are intersecting issues of family violence, alcohol and other drug use, mental health and child protection, to ensure current responses to working with Aboriginal families are appropriate, safe and responsive.
b) To explore practices to ensure Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing are embedded in future responses to working with family violence in NSW.
c) To explore the adaptability of the Safe & Together Model when working with Aboriginal families to explore components of the Model that work well or need development to enhance practice responses.
d) To explore and identify the social and political context of working with family violence – including systemic abuse, racism, Stolen Generations and intergenerational trauma, and the impact on practice responses.
Methods
The project is co-designed with two Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations, Waminda and Katungul. Following training about the Safe & Together Model with each organisation’s staff, a series of Yarning Circles are being held to explore whole of family practices in each community and what the Safe & Together Model can contribute. Yarning Circle discussions are transcribed and thematically analysed by the Aboriginal-led research team, in consultation with participants.