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Research

Our research

Violence against women and children affects everybody. It impacts on the health, wellbeing and safety of a significant proportion of Australians throughout all states and territories and places an enormous burden on the nation’s economy across family and community services, health and hospitals, income-support and criminal justice systems.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

News and events

ANROWS hosts events as part of its knowledge transfer and exchange work, including public lectures, workshops and research launches. Details of upcoming ANROWS activities and news are available from the list on the right.

ANROWS

About ANROWS

ANROWS was established by the Commonwealth and all state and territory governments of Australia to produce, disseminate and assist in applying evidence for policy and practice addressing violence against women and children.

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

Resources

To support the take-up of evidence, ANROWS offers a range of resources developed from research to support practitioners and policy-makers in delivering evidence-based interventions.


PEOPLE WHO USE VIOLENCE (NPRF 24.01)

The experiences of migrant and refugee families of men’s behaviour change programs

Project length
18 months

People from culturally and racially marginalised migrant and refugee backgrounds make up a significant part of Australia’s population. When designing and implementing interventions for domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV), it is crucial to consider and respond to their unique needs.


Research shows various, compounding structural and interpersonal factors limit the ability of migrant and refugee families to seek help and exacerbate the impacts of DFSV. Therefore, specific interventions are necessary.

However, there is limited evidence on how migrant and refugee men and their families experience men’s behaviour change programs (MBCPs) designed to address violent attitudes and hold men accountable for their use of violence.

Research aims

This study seeks to understand the experiences, benefits, and challenges faced by migrant and refugee men and their families in MBCPs. By gaining insight into their experiences, the project aims to guide the improvement and evaluation of these programs.

Methods

The project will be conducted in Victoria using participatory and qualitative research methodologies and will consist of five key components:

  • An integrative review of existing literature.
  • A stakeholder advisory group, including representatives of community organisations and service providers and people with lived expertise of DFSV from migrant and refugee backgrounds, to guide research design, interpretation of findings and development of practice and policy recommendations.
  • Semi-structured interviews with stakeholders who facilitate and manage MBCPs.
  • Semi-structured interviews with migrant and refugee men who have previously used violence and participated in MBCPs.
  • Semi-structured interviews with migrant and refugee women who have had partners participate in MCBPs.

Migrant and refugee men and women will be from Vietnamese, South Asian, Arabic-speaking or Afghan backgrounds, living across greater Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Significance

The goal of this project is to guide national policies for working with migrant and refugee men who use violence. We urgently need evidence to make better practice, policy and funding decisions.

By learning from the views and experiences of those who run and participate in these programs, as well as their partners, we can get a clearer picture of how MBCPs work.

The study will also examine the positive changes people attribute to these programs, identify current examples of good practice, and explore if programs are culturally safe for migrant and refugee men who participate.


Researchers

Project lead

Associate Professor Karen Block, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne

Research team

Professor Cathy Vaughan, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne

Associate Professor Georgina Sutherland, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne

Gemma Tarpey-Brown, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne

Phuong Hoang, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne

Research partners

Budget

 $206,867 (excluding GST)

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.

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