Empowering communities to lead primary prevention: A whole of community response to Domestic and Family Violence

• In Event: Bystander Intervention in Gender-Based and Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Research and scholarship on violence against women and children has risen dramatically in the last few decades. Yet the search for an antidote remains abstruse in both prevention and intervention. Gender stereotypes, inequality, and toxic masculinity are recognised amongst the key drivers of violence against women and children. There have been calls for a whole of community approach to both prevention and responding to domestic and family violence (DFV). Such approaches aim to empower bystanders to challenge underlying drivers while at the same time calling out violent behaviour and supporting victims. Yet there has been little research on both how to implement such initiatives and their effectiveness. In this presentation we report on an action research project that examines the experience of developing a whole of community approach where bystanders can take active roles in reaching out to victims and perpetrators as well as interrupting everyday drivers of violence. The project ran in urban council area Australia and it operated on the basis that a whole of community approach is needed to mobilise people across families, groups, institutions, businesses, and governments to create a consciousness that we are all part of the solution by being active and self-reflective bystanders. Findings from a study which aimed to develop a whole of community response to DFV in an Australian local area. Community members were given bystander training in how to respond to DFV and the drivers of gender-based violence and were supported through co-design to roll out their own training and prevention initiatives throughout the community. Accompanying research consisting of pre and post surveys and interviews with key community members was used to assess the impact on the community. The presentation concludes with some implications for future policy, practice, and research initiatives.

Authors

• Ana Borges, Griffith University

• Amy Young, Griffith University

• Elena Marchetti, Griffith University

• Celeste Harris, Griffith University

• Rebecca Wickes, Griffith University

• Sameer Deshpande, Griffith University

• Patrick O'Leary, Griffith University