Please note that this is an on-going project.
Project Description
This project addresses an international and national gap in research focusing on adolescent family violence (AFV) in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in Australia. AFV is an under-researched topic, with increasing recognition of its relationship with adult perpetrated domestic and family violence and ongoing trauma. The emerging body of literature on AFV consists of studies undertaken in Western nations with little representation of CALD communities, who have increased vulnerabilities to domestic and family violence, exacerbated by a lack of culturally responsive services. This project is supported by the Griffith University School of Health Sciences and Social Work. After promoting roundtables with workers in the sector, this project will release a practice guide to better resource the sector when working with this population.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
The project aims to benefit all members of CALD families and communities impacted by AFV. It means thinking about the wellbeing of offending adolescents and parents and children subjected to the violence. It also means thinking about the wellbeing of the community, their image in society and their ability to offer support. The small-scale project started that investigation by engaging workers in the field (migration agents, youth workers, domestic violence workers) and it aims to expand to become a project that engage with families and family members at the next stage.
Outcomes to Date
Even though the project has not ended yet and data analysis is on the way, we have some indication on the lack of academic knowledge on the topic and lack of knowledge exchange practices between services in immigration, domestic violence and youth. Legislations in all these areas also do not work well together to keep family members safe. Finally, we celebrate having been able to collaborate with over a dozen of services om this issue, revealing their interest and recognition of the importance of this topic. We believe the collaboration with services has already generate knowledge exchange that can start addressing inequalities for the affected population.
Project Significance
This research contributes directly to the SDGs of reducing inequalities (10) and peace, justice and strong institutions (16) as the project generates knowledge to improve services for CALD families experiencing AFV, addressing inequalities often experienced by CALD families based on culture, migration status, and in the case of children and adolescents based on their age. The findings of this project should also feed recommendations that promote formal and informal pathways to justice and strengthen institutions to address AFV without further disadvantaging families and family members. Finally, this project should contribute to reducing violence and promoting peace in family and communities.