Webinar: Strengthening accountability across perpetrator intervention systems

Perpetrator accountability is stated as the aim of many domestic and family violence policies and programs, however, there is no agreed understanding of what accountability actually means.

A wide range of human services organisations engage with perpetrators of domestic and family violence: the justice system, men’s behaviour change programs (MBCPs) and other services such as housing, child protection, health and community support. These different services interpret accountability in different ways, and some may be unsure how to respond appropriately to perpetrators of violence.

The ANROWS research project ‘Improved accountability: The role of perpetrator intervention systems’ comprises ten research studies that examine Australian perpetrator intervention systems. The webinar will feature a panel of researchers and policymakers who will unpack some parts of this research, including:

• differences in the definitions of accountability and how this is reflected in policy and practice
• how perpetrator interventions systems can be coordinated across the various services to prevent and respond to men who use violence
• strengths and challenges of the current perpetrator intervention systems
• future directions for policy and service change.

There will also be a live Q&A.

This webinar is designed for:

• policymakers, practice design decision makers, practitioners and researchers working with men who use violence, in particular, MBCPs, justice services and domestic and family violence services
• policymakers, practice design decision makers and practitioners working in related areas and services such as housing, health, community and family support.

The webinar is free to attend and the recording will also be available on the ANROWS website.

Enquiries: rachel.pow@anrows.org.au

Presenters

Donna Chung
Donna Chung is Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at Curtin University. Donna has been involved in social work education and social research for over 20 years undertaking various teaching, research and management roles within higher education. Donna previously held the positions at the University of Western Australia, the University of Warwick and the University of South Australia. Her research interests are primarily the areas of male violence against women, homelessness, gender and sexuality and social policy. Donna has worked on various research projects in these areas and provides advice and consultancy to governments on policies and programs in these areas. Donna has lead two ANROWS research projects published in 2020 ‘Prioritising women’s safety in Australian perpetrator interventions: The purpose and practice of partner contact’, and ‘Improved accountability: The role of perpetrator intervention systems’.

Karen Upton-Davis
Dr Karen Upton-Davis is an academic and researcher in social work and co-authored the ANROWS funded ‘Improved accountability: The role of perpetrator intervention systems’ project. Most recently Karen worked in a voluntary capacity for the Australian Government as an Academic Mentor to the social work staff at Hanoi National University. Karen’s’ time in Vietnam ended with the COVID-19 repatriation of all volunteers. For several decades prior to this, Karen worked as an academic and researcher at Curtin University, The University of Western Australia and Edith Cowan University.

Elena Campbell
Elena is a lawyer, speechwriter and former political staffer who has worked in legal and social policy for nearly 20 years. Elena’s expertise includes therapeutic justice, equal opportunity and human rights, as well as the prevention and elimination of violence against women.

At the Centre for Innovative Justice, Elena is an Associate Director and oversees a program of research focused on family violence, within which she focuses on perpetrator interventions and court processes. She has led projects supporting the implementation of recommendations from Victoria’s Royal Commission into Family Violence, as well as ANROWS-funded projects focusing on interventions with perpetrators of family violence, including the Positive Interventions for Perpetrators of Adolescent violence in the home (PIPA) and co-authored the ‘Improved accountability: The role of perpetrator intervention systems’ project.

Rodney Vlais
Rodney Vlais is an independent trainer, policy advisor, researcher and supervisor in family and domestic violence perpetrator interventions and perpetrator intervention systems. He currently consults to NGOs or governments across most Australian jurisdictions, and at a national level. Rodney has significant experience in men’s behaviour change program work and the delivery of counselling and clinical services more broadly. He is also involved in social movements that weave anti-hierarchical, autonomous organising with intersectional feminism towards ecological and social justice.

Facilitated by: Michele Robinson

Michele joined ANROWS in 2017 as the Director, Evidence to Action. Michele leads the translation and dissemination of research at ANROWS to support the take-up of evidence into policy and practice, to reduce violence against women and their children. This role builds on Michele’s 18 years of experience in leadership roles developing advice and strategies on research, knowledge partnerships and exchange in a diverse range of sectors, including the prevention of violence against women and their children.