CURRENT RESEARCH
We seek to understand more about domestic & family violence & sexual assault, & determine the effectiveness of strategies to make our communities safer for all.
Review the outcome measurement tools and processes used by WHWSS providers to promote consistency and improve the information available to government and service providers about outcomes for women accessing WHWBSS
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: July 2021 – June 2022
SPONSOR: CQUniversity
Exploratory analysis of an integrated service response in supporting sexual assault victim-survivors through criminal justice system processes
Combined with –
Exploratory analysis of an integrated service response in supporting sexual assault victim-survivors through criminal justice system processes
This qualitative study explores the role and support provided by an integrated service response to victim-survivors of sexual assault, with a focus on the criminal justice system. Victim-survivors experiences of the criminal justice system and their support needs in relation to navigating and dealing with legal processes in relation to sexual assault will be explored through individual and focus group interviews with victim-survivors themselves as well as service providers. The project will consider opportunities for improving legal responses and support for victim-survivors of sexual assault.
TIMEFRAME: July 2021 – June 2022
SPONSOR: CQUniversity
Exploring the legal outcomes from the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) model in Townsville (2016-2021)
The project is seeking to explore the role and support provided by the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) in Townsville to victim-survivors of sexual assault, with a focus on implications of that support for whether and how victim-survivors navigated the criminal justice system. The project will conduct qualitative one-on-one interviews with victim-survivors who have used SART and the interviews will explore victim-survivors’ experiences of the support provided in relation to legal responses to sexual assault.
TIMEFRAME: July 2021 – June 2022
SPONSOR: Department of Justice and the Attorney General
Evaluation of the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Forum
The Queensland Government has commissioned the QCDFVR Centre to evaluate the appropriateness and impact of the Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Prevention Forum and provide an evaluation report with recommendations for future QIFVP Forum models. The evaluation will look at the past 5 years of annual forums with methods including desktop/document review and analysis as well as interviews and focus groups of Indigenous Advisory Group members of the forum, purposive sample of participants of the forum and QCDFVR staff involved in planning/facilitating the forums over the past 5 years.
TIMEFRAME: July 2021 – June 2020
SPONSOR: Department of Justice and the Attorney General
Evaluation of QIFVLS Case Management Practice
In 2021 QIFVLS commissioned QCDFVR to conduct a process and outcome evaluation to identify the outcomes for CMP clients and what they consider have been the most important benefits of the CMP service. A process evaluation will examine what is working well and suggestions for improvement from the perspective of clients, QIFVLS managers and staff, and key stakeholders. A case study is being conducted in Rockhampton as the CMP service has been operating in this area the longest allowing us to examine the community connections and impact.
Our evaluation approach is to work collaboratively with QIFVLS to co-design and implement this evaluation. We are culturally guided by our key contact at QIFVLS, Aunty Bino Toby, the QIFVLS Board, and our Indigenous researcher on the evaluation team, Jamie Anderson. Other members of the evaluation team are Dr Sue Carswell and Dr Vicki Lowik. Dr Heather Lovatt, QCDFVR Director has oversight.
TIMEFRAME: September 2021 – August 2022
SPONSOR: Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS)
IN AN
EMERGENCY
FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT
