EXTERNALLY FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
A Systems Thinking Approach to Address Technology-facilitated Coercive Control in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence
Background
Technology-facilitated coercive control (TFCC) is a complex issue that impacts psychological, emotional, and physical wellbeing, and presents risk for intimate partner homicide. The conditions that influence TFCC, and those that lead to effective responses, are influenced by various actors and components across the ecosystem (e.g., device design, perpetrator motivations, service responses). Systems thinking, which applies a whole-of-system approach, is widely used for understanding and addressing complex issues. This project aims to provide evidence for the application of systems thinking methods to identify new insights and highlight cultural and societal leverage points that can be targeted with novel and effective interventions.
Aim
The aim of this project is to apply systems thinking methods to understand and improve responses to TFCC in the context of intimate partner violence, and to provide evidence for novel perspectives and practical applications to support policy and practice change. To meet this overarching research aim, the project will answer the following research questions: (1) What are the individual, situational, environmental, technological, or systemic influencing factors that have been found to increase the likelihood of technology-facilitated coercive control in intimate partner relationships; (2) What are the experiences of victim-survivors when engaging with the current TFCC response system; (3) Who are the key actors currently involved in the response to TFCC and at which level of the system do they reside; (4) What are the key variables (i.e., barriers and facilitators) that impact the performance of the TFCC response system, and how do these variables interact; (5) What novel interventions can enhance the effectiveness of the TFCC response system?
Methods
This project will involve a series of studies that will apply systems thinking-based methods and frameworks to understand the current TFCC response system and to develop recommendations for effective responses. The project will firstly involve semi-structured interviews with victim-survivors to understand and map the victim-survivor’s journey through the response system. Several workshops with system stakeholders (e.g., police, service providers, judicial officers, policy makers) will also be conducted to identify and understand the barriers and facilitators to effective responses to TFCC and to identify systemic leverage points for intervention.