NOTEPAD
The emergency of intimate partner homicide
ANROWS Notepad | 31 October 2019
Podcast
Recounting women
The emergency of intimate partner homicide continues to dominate headlines in Australia.
Ground-breaking data from the 2018 Australian Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Network report found that between July 2010 and June 2014 there were 152 intimate partner homicides in Australia that followed an identifiable history of domestic violence.
The data has given us new ways to understand the context of these homicides, and communicate the gendered nature of the problem.
In a new episode of Insights: The ANROWS Podcast, CEO Heather Nancarrow discusses the report’s findings with Heidi Ehrat, 2018 Chairperson of the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Network, and Amani Haydar, lawyer, artist, and advocate.
Recorded in conjunction with the launch of a new ANROWS factsheet, Domestic & Family Violence Lethality: The facts about intimate partner homicide, the podcast draws attention to intimate partner homicide case characteristics. It opens up difficult conversations about compassion fatigue, personal narratives, and our response to warning signs and patterns of coercive controlling behaviour.
Listen to Recounting Women on our website. You can also find Insights: The ANROWS Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Seminar in Sydney
Transforming legal understandings of intimate partner violence
When a woman kills her abusive partner, it is extremely difficult for her to raise a case of self-defense.
A recent ANROWS research report found that this is true in spite of legal reforms that were designed to acknowledge the dynamics of intimate partner violence (IPV) and recognise that people can kill in self-defence even when harm to them is not imminent.
The researchers, Professor Julia Tolmie and Associate Professor Stella Tarrant, found that the reforms are not implemented in practice because there was a lack of understanding of what it was like to live in a violent relationship.
The report’s authors propose a “social entrapment framework” for understanding IPV, which provides a more accurate and complete picture of the facts of a case.
This research has informed the Western Australian government’s decision to review the evidence laws relating to admission of evidence of family violence and jury directions.
Join ANROWS and the University of Sydney in Sydney on 3 November for a seminar discussing these findings.
REGISTER NOW
New report and Adelaide symposium
Engaging men who use violence
Sustainable change is likely for men who use violence against women and children when a “invitational narrative” counselling approach is used, according to ANROWS research published last week.
Engaging men in a conversation about change is one of the key challenges for practitioners working with men who use violence. In invitational narrative practice, counsellors use curious, non-judgemental enquiry to encourage men to reflect on their particular circumstances. The study found that this approach gives men a safe space to address shame and “reauthor” their story. This builds emotional and intentional investment, making sustainable change more likely.
The new report presents qualitative research findings from a team at Flinders University, led by Dr Sarah Wendt, in partnership with Uniting Communities in Adelaide. A brief paper for policy-makers and practitioners is also available.
A symposium about the report will be held on Monday 11 November in Adelaide. Register now to learn more about the research and its implications for policy and practice.*
*(Please note: Due to demand, we have increased capacity for this symposium. If you were previously unable to register, please try again.)
ANROWS Research Update
Upcoming projects
Since the National Plan was implemented, ANROWS has been building the evidence base for what is effective in identifying, and responding to, violence against women and children. We know that there are still areas where systems do not work effectively for victims/survivors, particularly those who experience multiple forms of disadvantage.
Our core research spans domestic, family and sexual violence and recognises the diversity of women’s experiences in order to provide guidance to policy-makers and practitioners on better ways forward.
New findings from our core research are coming soon. Watch out for releases from these projects:
Preventing gender-based violence in inpatient mental health units (Led by Early Career Researcher Dr Juliet Watson, RMIT University). This project draws on the knowledge of women who have experienced gender-based violence in mental health inpatient units to provide recommendations to make these environments safe for women.
Sustainability of identification and response to family violence in antenatal care: The SUSTAIN Study (Led by Professor Kelsey Hegarty, University of Melbourne). This project investigates domestic violence screening in antenatal care, with the aim of understanding and supporting the integration of evidence-based, effective screening, risk assessment and first-line response.
Prioritising women’s safety in Australian perpetrator interventions: The purpose and practices of partner contact (Led by Professor Donna Chung, Curtin University). It is a well-established expectation of the perpetrator intervention system that women and children will be provided appropriate support. This project will contribute to improving the quality of services provided to victims/survivors by identifying gaps between theory and practice and providing guidance for practitioners.
ANROWS Conference
Last chance to submit a proposal
When: 28–30 April 2020
Where: Hilton Adelaide, 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide
It’s your last chance to submit a proposal for a session or a poster at ANROWS National Conference in April 2020: submissions close 4 November. Don’t miss out!
Conference registration is also opening soon: stay tuned for updates.
Opportunities
NSW review of Consent laws: Submissions open
The NSW Law Reform Commission is seeking responses on their Draft Proposals for a review of Consent in relation to sexual offences.
Submissions are open until Monday, 18 November 2019. To make a submission, email nsw-lrc@justice.nsw.gov.au.
Review of sentencing for homicide: Consultations open
The NSW Department of Communities and Justice Sentencing Council is conducting a review of the sentencing for homicide (murder and manslaughter). This includes the penalties imposed for domestic and family violence homicides and the standard non-parole periods for murder. The Council has produced a Consultation Paper and is seeking input: submissions close on Friday 7 February 2020.
2020 NSW Women’s Week Grants
Grants of up to $5,000 each will be available to charities, not-for-profits, companies limited by guarantee and local government organisations in NSW to hold events and activities that celebrate women during the 2020 NSW Women’s Week.
Events and activities must promote at least one of the three priorities of the NSW Women’s Strategy 2018-2022: women’s economic opportunity and advancement, health and wellbeing, and participation and empowerment.
New resources
Australian Women Against Violence Alliance: Removing barriers to safety for victims/survivors of domestic and family violence who are on temporary visas
Department of Social Services: Disability Royal Commission support services
Dragiewicz, M., Harris, B., & Gibson, R: Domestic Violence and Technology: New International Research and Resources for Practice. Webinar recording.
Gender Equity Victoria: Don’t read the comments: Enhancing online safety for women working in the media
Queensland Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women: Prevent. Support. Believe. Queensland’s Framework to address Sexual Violence.
Stopping Family Violence: Materials from the recent Intersectionalities in Domestic Violence Conference
SNAICC National Voice for our Children: Materials from the recent 8th SNAICC National Conference 2019
Technology Safety Australia: Women’s Technology Safety & Privacy Toolkit
Women’s Legal Services Australia: Campaigns: Safety First in Family Law
New research
Books & reports
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Young people in child protection and under youth justice supervision: 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2018
Blunden, H., valentine, k., & Jops, P. (2019). Evaluation of the Keeping Women Safe – Private Rental Initiative
Gendera, S., Jops, P., Broady, T., valentine, k., & Breckenridge, J. (2019). Evaluation of the technology trial (Keeping Women Safe in Their Homes): Final report
Fileborn, B. & Loney-Howes, R. (2019). #MeToo and the Politics of Social Change. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Franzway, S., Moulding, N., Wendt, S., Zufferey, C., & Chung, D. (2019). The Sexual Politics of Gendered Violence and Women’s Citizenship. Bristol: UK: Bristol University Press.
Articles
Bakon, S., Taylor, A., Meyer, S., & Scott, M. (2019). The provision of emergency healthcare for women who experience intimate partner violence: Part 1. An integrative review. Emergency Nurse, 27(5).
Booth, T., Kaye, M., & Wangmann, J. (2019). Family Violence, Cross-Examination and Self-Represented Parties in the Courtroom: The Differences, Gaps and Deficiencies. UNSW Law Journal.
Burrell, S. (2019). Perpetrators in the early stages of help- seeking: Views of service users: An evaluation of the Respect Phoneline.
Dowling, C., & Morgan, A. (2019). Predicting repeat domestic violence: Improving police risk assessment. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, October 2019(581), 1–16.
Ghafournia, N., & Easteal, P. (2018). Are Immigrant Women Visible in Australian Domestic Violence Reports that Potentially Influence Policy? Laws, 7(4), 32.
Hulme, S., Morgan, A., & Boxall, H. (2019). Domestic violence offenders, prior offending and reoffending in Australia. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, September 2019(580).
MacGregor, J. C. D., Oliver, C. L., MacQuarrie, B. J., & Wathen, C. N. (2019). Intimate partner violence and work: A scoping review of published research. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. Advance online publication.
Ramirez, F. A., & Lane, J. (2019). Communication privacy management and digital evidence in an intimate partner violence case. International Journal of Communication, 13(2019), 5140–5157.
Reeves, E. (2019). Family violence, protection orders and systems abuse: Views of legal practitioners. Current Issues in Criminal Justice. Advance online publication.
Romano, E., Weegar, K., Gallitto, E., Zak, S., & Saini, M. (2019). Meta-analysis on interventions for children exposed to intimate partner violence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. Advance online publication.
Sheehan, R. (2019). Cumulative harm in the child protection system: The Australian context. Child & Family Social Work. Advance online publication.
Listen
Adolescents who turn homes into war zones – ABC RN Law Report
Stigma is changing but what else can we do to reduce the rates of family violence? – ABC mornings
Read
Single mother’s $50,000 welfare debt wiped as tribunal rules Centrelink wrong – The Guardian
Plan unveiled to ‘strengthen’ sexual consent laws in NSW – SMH
Technology increases sense of safety for domestic violence victims – UNSW
For Indigenous women, the #MeToo movement is a deeper fight against racism, power and oppression –The Conversation
Rosie Batty, lawyers push for family law reform as fresh inquiry looms – SMH
‘Gag laws’ stopping sexual assault survivors in the NT from speaking out – ABC
Queensland launches first framework to prevent sexual violence – Queensland Government: Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, The Honourable Di Farmer
How ‘Saving Face’ Silences Domestic Violence in Asian-Australian Communities – SBS
Nearly half of young retail workers report being sexually harassed, on average, seven times a year – ABC
One domestic violent incident every two minutes – Tasmanian Government signs nation first agreement – The Advocate
Background checks for partners with possible domestic violence history sparks 15 interventions – ABC
When women strike back, courts can’t always see their history of abuse – ABC
Conferences & events
Conferences
Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 5–8 November 2019: The 4th World Conference of Women’s Shelters
Melbourne, 9–10 November 2019: Broadside: Two days of an unapologetically feminist agenda
Sydney, 27 November 2019: South West Sydney Domestic Violence Committee’s Domestic and Family Violence Conference: Research To Action
Gold Coast, 9-11 Dec 2019: 9th Stop Domestic Violence National Indigenous Conference
Melbourne, 14–14 February 2020: Respect. Prevent. Respond. Conference 2020 (Deakin University)
Melbourne, 27-28 February 2020: Advancing the Evidence: Migrant Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference
Adelaide, 28-30 April 2020: ANROWS 3rd National Research Conference
Siem Reap, Cambodia, 26–29 May 2020: 10th Asia-Pacific conference on reproductive and sexual health and rights
Melbourne, 10-12 June 2020: AIFS 2020 Conference: What is a good life for families? And how do we get there?
Sweden, 30 June – 2 July, 2020: 23rd Conference of the Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International
Hunter Valley, NSW, 19–22 November 2020: Family and Relationship Services Australia (FRSA) Conference: New Horizons: Building the future, Paving the way
Training & events
Online, 6 November 2019: Ten to Men: Using the Data from Ten to Men: A two part Webinar Series
Melbourne, 6 November 2019: Melbourne research Alliance to End Violence against women and their children: Is there such a thing as substance-related IPV perpetration? With Professor Gail Gilchrist
Melbourne, 6 November 2019: Lived Experience Framework: Family Violence Services Stakeholder Consultation
Melbourne, 7 November 2019: Men in Focus – An evidence review unpacking masculinities and engaging men in the prevention of violence against women
Sydney, 8 November 2019: Unthinkable – Mona Eltahawy: The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls
Sydney, 9 November 2019: Unthinkable – When All Women Have Power
Sydney, 12 November 2019: Blue Knot Foundation: Trauma-Informed Care and Practice (Level 2)—Take your trauma training to the next level
Melbourne, 13 November 2019: Storytelling for Change: Prevention of Violence Against Women Communication Masterclass
Sydney, 13 November 2019: Bright Spark Panel: Amani Haydar and Annabelle Daniel
Sydney, 29 November 2019: Indigenous Women’s Leadership Symposium
Sydney, 3 December 2019: Seminar: Transforming legal understandings of intimate partner violence
Brisbane, 4 December 2019: In Conversation with Leigh Goodmark
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