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McLindon, E., Humphreys, C., & Hegarty, K. (2018). “It happens to clinicians too”: an Australian prevalence study of intimate partner and family violence against health professionals. BMC women’s health, 18(1), 113.

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Abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of intimate partner and family violence amongst a population of Australian female nurses, doctors and allied health professionals. Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional survey in a large Australian tertiary maternity hospital with 471 participating female health professionals (45.0% response rate). The primary outcome measures were 12 month and lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence (Composite Abuse Scale) and family violence. Results: In the last 12 months, one in ten (43, 11.5%) participants reported intimate partner violence: 4.2% (16) combined physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse; 6.7% (25) emotional abuse and/or harassment; 5.1% (22) were afraid of their partner; and 1.7% (7) had been raped by their partner. Since the age of sixteen, one third (125, 29.7%) of participants reported intimate partner violence: 18.3% (77) had experienced combined physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse; 8.1% (34) emotional abuse and/or harassment; 25.6% (111) had been afraid of their partner; and 12.1% (51) had been raped by their partner. Overall, 45.2% (212) of participants reported violence by a partner and/or family member during their lifetime, with 12.8% (60) reporting both. Conclusion: Intimate partner and family violence may be common traumas in the lives of female health professionals, and this should be considered in health workplace policies and protocols, as health professionals are increasingly urged to work with patients who have experienced intimate partner and family violence. Implications include the need for workplace manager training, special leave provision, counselling services and other resources for staff.

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Researchers: McLindon, E., Humphreys, C. & Hegarty, K.

Year: 2018

Kertesz, M., Humphreys, C., Larance, L. Y., Vicary, D., Spiteri-Staines, A., & Ovenden, G. (2019). Working with women who use force: a feasibility study protocol of the Positive (+) SHIFT group work programme in Australia. BMJ Open, 9(5), e027496.

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Abstract:

Introduction
This study assesses the feasibility of the Positive Shift (+SHIFT) programme in the context of legal responses and social welfare provision in the state of Victoria, Australia.

The +SHIFT programme, adapted from the Vista curriculum, is a group work and case management programme for women who use force. Building on traditional survivor support group strengths, the programme facilitates participants’ engagement with viable alternatives to force while promoting healing. The study also aims to increase understanding about the characteristics and needs of women who use force in Australia.

Methods and analysis
This feasibility study will assess the +SHIFT programme’s appropriateness in addressing women’s use of force in the Victorian context. Process evaluation will be undertaken to identify recruitment, retention, women’s participation, barriers to implementation, the appropriateness of proposed outcome measures and other issues. The feasibility of an outcome evaluation which would employ a longitudinal mixed methods design with measures administered at preprogramme, programme completion and 3 months postprogramme time points, along with semistructured interviews with participants, programme staff and referring professionals, will also be assessed.

Ethics and dissemination
Research ethics approval was obtained from the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee. Results of the study will be communicated to the programme providers as part of the action research process evaluation methodology. On completion, final results will be reported to programme providers and funding bodies, and published in academic journals and presented at national and international conferences.

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Researchers: Kertesz, M., Humphreys, C., Yound Larance, L., Vicary, Dave., Spiteri-Staines, A. & Ovenden, G.

Year: 2019

Hooker, L., Toone, E., Raykar, V., Humphreys, C., Morris, A., Westrupp, E., & Taft, A. (2019). Reconnecting mothers and children after violence (RECOVER): a feasibility study protocol of child–parent psychotherapy in Australia. BMJ Open, 9(5), e023653.

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Abstract:

Introduction
Intimate partner violence detrimentally affects the social and emotional well-being of children and mothers. These two populations are impacted both individually and within the context of their relationship with one another. Child mental health, maternal mental health and the mother–child relationship may be impaired as a consequence. Early intervention to prevent or arrest impaired mother–child attachment and child development is needed. Dyadic or relational mental health interventions that include mothers with their children, such as child–parent psychotherapy, are effective in improving the mental health of both children and mothers and also strengthening their relationship. While child–parent psychotherapy has been trialled overseas in several populations, Australian research on relational interventions for children and women recovering from violence is limited. This study aims to assess the acceptability and feasibility of implementing child–parent psychotherapy in Australian families.

Methods and analysis
Using a mixed methods, prepost design this feasibility study will examine the acceptability of the intervention to women with preschool aged children (3–5 years, n=15 dyads) and providers, and identify process issues including recruitment, retention and barriers to implementation and sustainability. In addition, intervention efficacy will be assessed using maternal and child health outcomes and functioning, and mother–child attachment measures. Young children’s mental health needs are underserviced in Australia. More research is needed to fully understand parenting in the context of intimate partner violence and what works to help women and children recover. If the intervention is found to be feasible, findings will inform future trials and expansion of child–parent psychotherapy in Australia.

Ethics and dissemination
Ethics approval obtained from clinical sites and the La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Committee (ID: HEC17-108). Results will be disseminated through conference proceedings and academic publications.

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Researchers: Hooker, L., Toone, E., Raykar, V., Humphreys, C., Morris, A., Westrupp, E. & Taft, A.

Year: 2019

Andrews, S., Gallant, D., Humphreys, C., Ellis, D., Bamblett, A., Briggs, R., & Harrison, W. (2018). Holistic programme developments and responses to Aboriginal men who use violence against women. International Social Work.

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Abstract: Family violence significantly impacts upon Aboriginal women and children globally. Despite this fact, there is a scarcity of published knowledge regarding the nature and efficacy of Aboriginal programmes for men who use violence against women. This article reports the findings from interviews with 15 facilitators of Australian Aboriginal men’s healing, fathering and family violence programmes. From these interviews, we have developed a conceptual model of working with Aboriginal men. It accommodates the collective, generational and individual trauma of both perpetrator and victim, while privileging gendered accountability for violence as a central tenet to the work.

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Researchers: Andrews, S., Gallant, D., Humphreys, C., Ellis, D., Bamblett, A., Briggs, R. & Harrison, W.

Year: 2018

Fogden, L., Kertesz, M. and Humphreys, C. (2018). Mothers in Mind: Independent Evaluation 2016-17. Melbourne: University of Melbourne.

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Abstract:

The Children’s Protection Society (CPS) provides support services to vulnerable families and children living in the North East Melbourne metropolitan area. In 2016, CPS started to run Mothers in Mind, a group program for mothers and young children who have experienced family violence and separated from the perpetrator. This program was developed by the Child Development Institute in Canada, and has been evaluated over a number of years in Canada. In early 2017, CPS contracted Department of Social Work at the University of Melbourne to carry out an evaluation of the Mothers in Mind (MIM) program, to include programs run in Term 3 2016, Term 4 2016, Term 2 2017 and Term 4 2017. The program due to run in Term 4 2017 was cancelled.

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Researchers:
Fogden, L., Kertesz, M & Humphreys, C.

Year: 2018

Pfitzner, N., Humphreys, C., & Hegarty, K. (2018). Engaging Men as Fathers: How Gender Influences Men’s Involvement in Australian Family Health Services. Journal of Family Issues, 39(16), 3956–3985.

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Title: Engaging Men as Fathers: How gender influences men’s involvement in Australian Family Health Services

Despite claims of “new” and “involved” fathers, research shows men’s actual fathering practices remain relatively unchanged. Increasing attention is being paid to the influence of child and family services on father engagement with calls from researchers and practitioners for a game change in parenting interventions. In this article, we draw on case study data to examine how gender impacts on maternal and child health services’ engagement with new fathers in respectful relationships programs. Our analysis shows that gender shapes men’s fathering and consequently their involvement in programs that seek to engage men as fathers. These gendered behaviors intersect with the practices, policies, and orientation of the Maternal and Child Health Service. The findings hold important implications for designing strategies to engage men in family services.

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Researchers: Pfitzner, N., Humphreys, C. & Hegarty, K. (2018).

Year: 2018

Humphreys, C., Healey, L., Kirkwood, D. & Nicholson, D. (2018). ‘Children Living with Domestic Violence: A Differential Response through Multi-agency Collaboration’, Australian Social Work

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Abstract: Developing appropriate pathways to assist children living with domestic and family violence (DFV) is challenging, particularly given the rise in police notifications to Child Protection (CP) relating to exposure to domestic violence. In this article, the argument is put that strong collaboration between organisations can provide a differential response in which only those children requiring an investigation are referred into CP, while all other children and their families are diverted to community-based organisations. This is foundational for the development of a more ethical and supportive response to children and their families living with DFV. The article draws on findings from a case study of the Multi-Agency Triage project in Melbourne, which developed through a collaborative risk assessment process a differential response to manage referrals of children living with DFV. The case study drew from observations of the triage, nine interviews, and analysis of administrative data.

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Researchers: Humphreys, C., Healey, L., Nicholson, D. & Kirkwood, D.

Year: 2018

Heward-Belle, S., Humphreys, C., Laing, L. & Toivonen, C. (2018). Intervening with children living with domestic violence: Is the system safe? Australian Social Work, 71, 135-147.

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Abstract:This article examines cross-sector relationships that facilitated or impeded effective responses to women and children experiencing domestic violence. It reports on the findings of a study of 54 Australian professionals working in either statutory child protection, family law, or domestic violence and community services. Qualitative data gathered from focus groups with participants is the research base for this article. The study found that overwhelmingly the focus group participants described myriad policies and practices in the public sphere that could compound the impact of men’s violence against women in the private sphere.

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Researchers: Heward-Belle, S., Humphreys, C., Laing, L. & Toivonen, C.

Year: 2018

Healey, L., Humphreys, C., Tsantefski, M., Heward-Belle, S., Chung, D., & Mandel, D. (2018). Invisible Practices: Intervention with fathers who use violence: Key findings and future directions (Research to policy and practice, 04/2018). Sydney, NSW: ANROWS.

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Abstract:

The review of the literature (Humphreys & Campo, 2017, p.5) found that there was “no single definitive approach to intervention” in working with fathers who remain in the home or have significant contact with their children. Humphreys and Campo (2017, p.2), did, however, identify the following key messages:
• Very little evidence exists of effective, safe practice where there is DFV and mothers and fathers remain living together, or when they are co-parenting a children.
• A range of different responses have been developed from different areas of the service system to respond to families living with DFV, including nurse visitors, couple counselling, restorative justice, CP and whole of family approaches with vulnerable families.
• Where services have been developed, there are generally stringent conditions that support safety for all parties, including workers, when working with fathers who use violence.
• Whole of family approaches that engage each member of the family where there is DFV and focus on parenting represent emerging practice, with some promising developments.
• Workforce development is critical in an area where skilled work is essential to support the safety and wellbeing of all involved.

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Healey, L., Connolly, M., & Humphreys, C. (2018). A collaborative practice framework for child protection and specialist domestic and family violence services: bridging the research and practice divide. Australian Social Work, 71(2), 228-237.

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Abstract: Practice frameworks bridge the divide between research and practice. This paper shows how the translation of research into policy and practice led to the development of a practice framework to foster greater collaboration between child protection (CP) and specialist domestic and family violence (DFV) services. The framework supports safety for adult and child victims and raises the standard of accountability for fathers who use violence. In researching the challenges of collaborative work between CP and DFV services, this framework developed from a parallel collaborative process involving researchers, practitioners, and policy representatives from government and nongovernment organisations across five Australian states.

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Researchers: Healey, L., Humphreys, C. & Connolly, C

Year: 2018