Service system responses and culturally designed practice frameworks to address needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children exposed to domestic and family violence

Investigators

Garth Morgan (Principal Chief Investigator), Lisa Hillan, Candice Butler, Reno French, Eliza Miller, Jenny Parsons - Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP)

Professor Daryl Higgins, Sebastian Trew, Alex Cahill - Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University

Funding

Australian National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS)

Aims

To identify the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people exposed to domestic and family violence, and to determine effective service responses through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural lens.

Consistent with ANROWS Australian National Research Agenda to reduce Violence Against Women and Children, the project seeks to address research gaps related to the nature, experience and impacts of childhood exposure to domestic and family violence.

Background

One of the major causes of contact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people with the child protection and youth justice systems in Queensland is the presence of domestic and family violence, within their homes. In 2019, over 44% of all new child protection substantiations for Indigenous families were for the harm type 'emotional abuse'. Despite these concerning statistics, the experience of children and young people's exposure to DFV represents a research gap (ANRA 2020-22).

An investigation was needed of how services and systems can respond more directly to the needs of children and young people to mitigate against the risks associated with exposure to DFV represents a research priority.

Project details

This 12-month project recruited and supported local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-based researchers to engage stakeholders, community leaders, children and families.

Community-based researchers

The project was led by Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP), and drew on their existing networks, including those of and SNAICC. Teams within this network also disseminated best-practice resources across service systems.

Action research methodology

Researchers used an action research methodology within a developmental research framework. This approach supported participating community-based researchers to embed findings within their services. We incorporated considerations for adaption in different jurisdictions to help ensure wide use. Adoption of best practice models identified through the research will contribute to enhanced wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

Our aim is to strengthen the evidence-based on the experiences and service needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people exposed to Domestic and Family Violence.

For more information about the project, go to the ANROWS website.

Projected community impact

The practice framework for prevention and early intervention was developed for use by Aboriginal Controlled Organisations, other service providers and policy makers. The framework, findings and resources can be disseminated across service systems within the QATSICPP and Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) networks. Use within these communities can help support children to be physically, culturally and spiritually safe.

Publications

Morgan, G., Butler, C., French, R., Creamer, T., Hillan, L., Ruggiero, E., Parsons, J., Prior, G., Idagi, L., Bruce, R., Gray, T., Jia, T., Hostalek, M., Gibson, J., Mitchell, B., Lea, T., Clancy, K., Barber, U., Higgins, D.,... Trew, S. (2022). New Ways for Our Families: Designing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practice framework and system responses to address the impacts of domestic and family violence on children and young people (Research report, 06/2022). ANROWS.

Morgan, G., Butler, C., French, R., Creamer, T., Hillan, L., Ruggiero, E., Parsons, J., Prior, G., Idagi, L., Bruce, R., Twist, A., Gray, T., Hostalek, M., Gibson, J., Mitchell, B., Lea, T., Miller, C., Lemson, F., Bogdanek, S., … Cahill, A. (2023). You can't pour from an empty cup: Strengthening our service and systems responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who experience domestic and family violence (Research report, 01/2023). ANROWS.

Morgan, G., Butler, C., French, R., Creamer, T., Hillan, L., Ruggiero, E., Parsons, J., Prior, G., Idagi, L., Bruce, R., Twist, A., Gray, T., Hostalek, M., Gibson, J., Mitchell, B., Lea, T., Miller, C., Lemson, F., Bogdanek, S., … Cahill, A. (2023). Healing our children and young people: A framework to address the impacts of domestic and family violence (Insights 01/2023). ANROWS.

Presentations

Butler, C., Higgins, D., & Miller, C. (2023). Listening to community to heal our children and young people. Recording of webinar hosted by SPARK (1 October 2023). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAEJUQDx1wc

Links

Australian National Research Organisation for Women's Safety

Project timeline

Completed 2023

Contact

For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au