QCDFVR was commissioned to evaluate the early implementation of the Women’s Health and Wellbeing Support Services (WHWSS) during 2019-2020.  Existing services are funded to deliver WHWSS to support women’s longer-term recovery from gender-based violence which was identified as a gap in service delivery by the Queensland Government’s Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence (the Taskforce, 2015).

The evaluation findings across 10 sites demonstrated the high need and value of WHWSS services.  While providers developed a range of place-based service delivery models, there were many common elements of good practice to support women’s longer-term recovery.  It is important to consider how these practices work together as a system of support and provide mutually reinforcing benefits for women.  The findings regarding WHWSS service design and delivery highlighted the following enablers of this ‘support system’ for women:

Service approaches/philosophy: client-led, trauma-informed, empowerment approaches, practice informed by a DFV lens

Service types: multi-dimensional with mix of case management, therapeutic counselling, group programs, workshops/information sessions and social connection activities

Service structures: open, multiple entry points on journey from crisis to recovery, flexible, free, tailored to client needs, availability of long-term counselling to heal trauma

Integration into local service system: referral networks that enable access into WHWSS and referrals to other services women need including DFV crisis services; collaborative partnerships to broaden types of services offered to women

Place based: responsive to local needs and context

Culturally responsive: engaging with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities and providers.

TIMEFRAME: June 2019 – May 2020

SPONSOR: Child Safety, Youth and Women

This study involves an evaluation of North Queensland Combined Women’s Service’s (NQCWS) participation in a trial Sexual Assault Response Team model and explores the implications of the trial for broader responses to sexual violence in Queensland, specifically any lessons that would inform best practice for responding to people who experience recent sexual assault.

TIMEFRAME: August 2017 – August 2019

SPONSOR: Child Safety, Youth and Women

The aim of this evaluation was to inform future implementation and roll out of the Walking with Dads program based on identifying who it works for, under what circumstances and how. Trialled in four Queensland Child Safety Service Centre locations; Caboolture, Caloundra, Gympie and Mount Isa. Walking with Dads is a new approach to child safety practice when working with families affected by domestic and family violence (DFV). Its aim is to reduce DFV through greater engagement and accountability of perpetrators in their role as fathers and empowerment of victims in their role as mothers.

TIMEFRAME: January 2017 – June 2019

SPONSOR: Child Safety, Youth and Women

Click here to view report

As one of the largest providers of Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (MBCPs) in Queensland, UnitingCare has acknowledged its responsibility to contribute to evidence-building. In 2018, UnitingCare initiated a longitudinal evaluation of their MBCP, Men Choosing Change, and commissioned an evaluation from QCDFVR. The evaluation has been conducted in three stages beginning with a collaborative co-design pro cess to develop the evaluation design with UnitingCare staff and managers and key stakeholders at sites across the five regions within Queensland that this program is delivered.

Stage 2 examined early outcomes for program participants and their partners/ex-partners and children at the time men completed Men Choosing Change. We also examined the implementation of the program. In collaboration with UnitingCare we conducted a knowledge translation and exchange process of Stage 2 findings with staff and managers during 2021 to identify strengths and areas to develop and improve.

Stage 3 examines the longer-term outcomes for the men who participated in Men Choosing Change during 2019 and their partners/ex-partners and children.  Stages 1 and 2 were led by Professor Annabel Taylor and Stage 3 was led by Dr Sue Carswell.

Key findings include:

• Men Choosing Change has acted as a catalyst for changing DFV behaviours for some men. Many men in our study saw themselves on a journey of change and this is an incremental process that takes time given entrenched attitudes and behaviours.  The mixed findings of our longer-term study show that men were at various stages of this journey. 
• Enablers of change include men’s engagement and motivation which was facilitated when men find program content relevant to their situation. This was reinforced by other men in the group where they were able to practice new strategies and gain confidence and normalise changes.
• MBCPs require being part of a broader system of interventions and supports for men, women and children across the continuum of prevention, early intervention, crisis response to longer-term recovery.
• Need to strengthen the DFV Advocate role to increase the ability of the program to monitor risk and provide women and children with supports to improve their safety and recovery.
• Opportunities to increase children’s safety and wellbeing through more child-focused content in Men Choosing Change, and the role of the DFV Advocate to assess children’s risks and needs and refer to appropriate services.

TIMEFRAME: June 2018 – March 2022

SPONSOR: UnitingCare

Click here to view ‘Stage 2’ report

Click here to view ‘Stage 3’ report 

Watch – Men Choosing Change program: Findings of a long-term evaluation