The following research draws from lived experience perspectives and explores how they can be harnessed and integrated into family violence and sexual violence work.

This research examines the impact of family violence and sexual violence on children and young people, offering insights to improve support systems for their wellbeing.

Exposure to intimate partner violence and the physical and emotional abuse of children

This research report presents findings from a survey of 3775 female carers, focusing on children’s exposure to intimate partner violence and the carers’ experiences of physical and emotional abuse (source: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2023).

The Australian Child Maltreatment Study

This first large-scale Australian study reports on the prevalence of child maltreatment, including child sexual abuse, its association with mental illness and its impact on health risk behaviours and conditions (source: The Australian Childhood Maltreatment Study, 2023).

You can’t pour from an empty cup

Research findings about the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who have both experienced domestic and family violence and had contact with the child protection system (source: ANROWS, 2019).

Amplify: Turning up the volume on young people and family violence

This project seeks to understand the service system gaps for young people who are experiencing family violence in the home or from an intimate partner and aims to map a way forward (source: Melbourne City Mission, 2021).

This research delves into the prevalence and impacts of family violence and sexual violence, shedding light on their effects on individuals and communities.

Research on approaches to address and mitigate the effects of family violence and sexual violence.

I believe you: Children and young people’s experiences of seeking help, securing help and navigating the family violence system

This report presents the key findings and thematic analysis of interviews with 17 children and young people living in Victoria who have had experience of family violence (source: Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre).

Technology-facilitated sexual violence

This e-Safety Commission review summarises the nature, prevalence, impacts and responses to technology-facilitated abuse and sexual violence, identifying barriers, enablers and available support in Australia (source: eSafety Commissioner).

Predominant aggressor identification and victim misidentification

This discussion paper emphasises the need for family violence interventions to focus on the complexities of people using violence, their behaviours, motives and presentations to improve risk identification, assessment and management (source: No to Violence, 2024).

Let’s talk about sex

This paper examines practitioners’ views on intimate partner sexual violence in intervention programs and offers recommendations to improve identification, assessment and response (source: Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre, 2023).

The REACH Project

Informed and guided by people with lived experience of sexual assault, this project focused on better understanding of what helps people to recover and heal after sexual violence. Findings from REACH show that recovery is enabled through personal, relational and social change (source: University of Melbourne, SAS Vic and Women with Disabilities Victoria, 2024).

Gender-based violence and help-seeking behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic

This research explores women’s experiences of violence and help seeking during COVID-19 restrictions, and the impact on health for social care workers providing support (source: Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre).

How multi-agency responses to family/domestic violence can generate positive systemic change

In 2016, Victoria’s Royal Commission into Family Violence made 227 reform recommendations, emphasising collaboration between agencies and establishing multidisciplinary responses. This aligns with a 20-year trend in Australia and globally toward interagency approaches to family violence. This report explores how to unlock the potential of multi-agency programs to enhance support for all victim–survivors (source: Domestic Violence Victoria, 2017).

Windows of opportunity

This research combines a literature review with insights from victim–survivors, family safety advocates and family violence professionals to examine strengths, barriers and opportunities in child-focused approaches. This report and guide encourages practitioners and organisations to reflect on the findings and explore practical ways to partner with children and young people to support their safety, wellbeing and recovery from family violence (source: Family Life, 2024).

Prioritising women’s safety in Australian perpetrator interventions

The growing focus on perpetrator accountability and prioritising the safety of women and children has led to Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (MBCPs) becoming the main intervention for perpetrators in Australia. While most MBCP research assesses changes in men’s violent behaviour, this project examines partner contact practices with a focus on enhancing safety for women and children (source: ANROWS, 2020).

Action Research: Use of family violence by LGBTIQ+ people 

National and international research has found that family violence in LGBTIQ+ relationships occurs at rates similar to, if not higher than, heterosexual relationships. LGBTIQ+ populations face unique and intersecting vulnerabilities, including that: the impacts of abuse are compounded by discrimination and stigma experienced in a community context; intimate partner and family violence remains largely invisible in LGBTIQ+ communities due to myths that LGBTIQ+ people do not, or cannot, experience abuse; LGBTIQ+ communities are far less likely than the general population to find support services that meet their specific needs; and, many services are unable to support the unique needs of LGBTIQ+ people impacted by family violence (source: Centre for Family Research and Evaluation, 2020).

What works? A qualitative exploration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing programs that respond to family violence

This project aimed to determine “what works” in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healing programs from the perspectives of the people who deliver, use and are impacted by those programs. The research also aimed to understand the availability of healing programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIASB+ people and those with a disability (source: ANROWS, 2024).

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Please note that the information provided on this Family Violence Sexual Violence Knowledge Hub is curated to be the most recent and relevant available. The content is continually being developed and will be regularly updated to reflect the latest insights and best practices. While we strive to maintain the accuracy and timeliness of the information, we encourage users to check back frequently for new and refreshed materials.

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