Healing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys

Project research team

Phillip Brooks, Stacey Giles, Helena Wright, Dr Emily Wright, Jacqueline Froud, Di Gipey, Reno French, Madeline Lea, Lenny Dahlen (Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak); Professor Elena Marchetti, Dr Lisa Thomsen (Griffth University); Professor Daryl Higgins (Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University)

Research partners

Kurbingui Youth and Family Development Limited; Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Services (TAIHS); Girudala Community Cooperative Society Ltd; Murri Watch; Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good

Funder

ANROWS grant: Health response to preventing family and domestic violence, via Australian Government Department of Social Services

Aims

• To identify the healing and system needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys who have experienced or perpetrated domestic family and sexual violence (DFSV).
• To determine the best healing pathways and effective service response through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural lens.

Project details

There is extremely limited culturally appropriate domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) support currently available for men and boys in Queensland. Research is urgently needed to better understand what men and boys need to heal from childhood experiences of DFSV and to guide the provision of culturally strong services that break cycles of violence.

This research builds on previous research by the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP) about strengthening our service and system responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who experience DFSV.

Method

This study used an action research methodology, drawing on the principles and process of Aboriginal Participatory Action Research, within a developmental research framework. It engage male and female community-based researchers across five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing Services in urban, rural, regional and remote Queensland. These researchers engaged local stakeholders, community leaders, children and families to understand what works and what are the gaps and enablers to healing men and boys.

Stages

1. Co-design workshops were used to identify research questions, a theory of change and program logic model.
2. The community researchers engaged in reflective journalling about their experiences.
3. The community researchers conducted interviews and focus groups with service users, service providers and children and young people.
4. Based on the data, the research team developed a best practice framework for working with men and boys that can be used across Queensland.

Projected community impact

The findings from the research have informed the development of a best-practice framework and resources that can be used across service systems. The research team will incorporate considerations for adaption of the resources in different jurisdictions to help ensure their relevance and use.

Links

ANROWS

Project timeline

July 2024 – June 2026

Contact

For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au