PI.17.12
Engaging men:
Invitational-narrative approaches
October 2019
Summary and method
This qualitative study explored how invitational narrative ways of working successfully engage men and enable behavioural and attitudinal change. The study explored the historical and philosophical foundations of invitational narrative practice, and the principles and skills that practitioners use in their work.
The study was conducted in partnership with Uniting Communities in Adelaide and involved two stages. Stage 1 comprised a literature review and interviews with 7 experts in the field of invitational narrative approaches in South Australia. Stage 2 comprised interviews with men who use violence, with each man’s invitational narrative practitioner, and (where consent was obtained) with each man’s partner/ex-partner. In total there were 6 dyads (man and practitioner) and 5 triads (man, practitioner, and ex/partner).
Outcomes
Project outcomes provided greater understanding of the therapeutic and service delivery practices that lead men to engage with, or disengage from programs. Specifically the findings contributed to the growing understanding of key values and principles of invitational narrative ways of working that support engagement and enable change when working with men who use violence in their intimate partner relationships.
Researchers
Project Lead
Professor Sarah Wendt, Flinders University
Research expertise
Dr Kate Seymour, Flinders University
Dr Fiona Buchanan, University of South Australia
Dr Natalie Greenland, University of South Australia, Uniting Communities
Practitioner expertise
Mr Chris Dolman, Emerging Minds & Uniting Communities
Downloads
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Engaging men who use violence: Invitational narrative approaches. Key findings and future directions
Downloadsee also
Presentations
Symposium:
Engaging men who use violence: Invitational narrative approaches
ANROWS, in partnership with Flinders University and Uniting Communities, hosted a symposium for policy-makers and practitioners on invitational narrative approaches to engaging men who use violence.
The symposium explored the key findings of the ANROWS research project, ‘Engaging men who use violence: Invitational narrative approaches’, led by Professor Sarah Wendt. This qualitative study analysed how invitational narrative ways of working can successfully engage men who use violence and enable behavioural and attitudinal change.
In this video we hear from researchers, practitioners and policy-makers on invitational narrative concepts, how invitational narrative ideas are used in practice to create change that is self-generated and personally meaningful, and the implications for policy and practice.
This symposium was held on the land of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains.
Caution: Some people may find parts of this content confronting or distressing. Recommended support services include: 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732 and Lifeline – 13 11 14.
DOWNLOAD POWERPOINT
Symposium sessions
These videos breakdown the Engaging men who use violence symposium, into individual sessions.
This symposium was held on the land of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains.
Caution: Some people may find parts of this content confronting or distressing. Recommended support services include: 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732 and Lifeline – 13 11 14.
Overview and key findings: Engaging men who use violence – Invitational narrative approaches
In this video we hear from the project lead, Professor Sarah Wendt, who offers an overview and key findings of the ANROWS research project. Sarah discusses:
- the background of the research project
- INA, and how it seeks to create change that is self-generated, personally meaningful, and sustainable
- the strength of INA, and its capacity to engage men who use violence through curious inquiry, articulation of “ethical preferences”, identifying what restrains participants from living in accordance with their ethical preferences, and creating an environment in which men can experience their shame
- INA’s unrelenting focus on women’s and children’s safety and on men’s accountability to others.
How invitational narrative ideas are used in practice
In this video we hear from project researcher Kate Seymour, who presents responses to INA from participants in the ANROWS research project, Engaging men who use violence: Invitational narrative approaches.
Kate offers analysis of quotes from men who use violence engaged in INA, the men’s partners, and the practitioner working with them, exploring how INAs are enabling behavioural and attitudinal change. Kate closes with a small group exercise.
Panel: Implications of invitational narrative approaches for policy
In this video, Vanessa Swan and Fiona Mort sit down with research lead Professor Sarah Wendt to discuss the implications for policy of the research and the challenges involved in creating and funding programs when large-scale studies of program outcomes are limited.
Panel: Implications of invitational narrative approaches for practice
Practitioners Regina Newchurch and Chris Dolman sit down with research lead Professor Sarah Wendt to discuss the implications for practice of the research, and the realities on the ground with working with men and young people who use violence.
Budget
$93,080
Funded by Commonwealth Department of Social Services.
find out more
Contact ANROWS
PO Box Q389, Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230
Email: [email protected]
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