The Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG) has supported a number of enhancements to the Queensland domestic and family violence integrated service system aimed at ensuring consistent approaches to identifying, assessing, and responding to DFV. Initiatives include revising the Common Risk and Safety Framework and Information Sharing Guidelines; increased funding for High Risk Teams (HRTs) and additional membership (i.e. Victim Assist, Court Support), along with new roles for First Nations Cultural Advisors at some HRT sites to increase cultural capability.

To understand the extent these initiatives are supporting integrated service responses and HRTs to respond effectively, DJAG has commissioned the QCDFVR to conduct an independent evaluation. This research project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the enhancements and expansion of the integrated service system and HRT model in meeting its objectives and intended outcomes, taking a Queensland wide approach across ten locations. The evaluation will inform the Queensland government, organisations and communities about how they are working together to deliver consistent and good quality responses to meet the needs of victims-survivors and improve accountability and rehabilitation of people using violence. This project is being led by  Dr Sue Carswell with support from Dr Liane McDermott, Ms Jamie Lee Anderson and  Dr Heather Lovatt. 

In this project, QCDFVR is delighted to work with QUT intern student Brooke Crockett, to conduct a scoping literature review which will locate literature on AI, trauma informed approaches and domestic, family, and sexual violence. The student will work with Dr Lyndal Sleep, as well as library staff, to develop a literature review protocol that will locate resources on these topics and identify research gaps. Research internships are important for training the next generation of researchers in emerging areas of DFV concern, as well as creating new knowledge in itself.  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in the delivery of social services including domestic violence services. While it offers opportunities for more efficient, effective and personalised service delivery, AI can also generate greater problems, reinforcing disadvantage, generating trauma or re-traumatising service users. 

In partnership with researchers from the University of Queensland School of Social Science and the Automated Decision-Making and Society Centre of Excellence, this project seeks to co-design an innovative AI trauma-informed audit framework. It aims to provide a practical resource for social services agencies to make trauma informed choices about the technology they use. The research team is Dr Lyndal Sleep, and University of Queensland researchers Professor Paul Henman, Dr Suzanna Fay and Suvradip Maitra. 

QCDFVR is working with Warringu Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation which initiated this project to develop a framework to build a wholistic model of care for women in shelter accommodation.  Currently shelters are only funded to provide temporary crisis accommodation for women and children who are escaping violence or at risk of homelessness: they are not funded to provide any services to support or address the underlying issues or therapeutic requirements of clients residing in the shelters.

The focus of the project is Far North Queensland, where there are 13 shelters whose primary clients are First Nations women and children.

Working in partnership with Central Queensland Indigenous Development (CQID) this QCDFVR evaluation will take an Indigenist approach that privileges the voice and lived experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.