Program for women leaving violent relationships working: new study
The author: Robyn Edwards, a research associate with the University of NSW’s Social Policy and Research Centre, wrote the Staying Home Leaving Violence report.
A new study funded by Community Services has revealed women’s experiences of escaping domestic violence while choosing to remain in their own home.
The report, Staying Home Leaving Violence: Listening to Women’s Experiences, is a small, qualitative study, based on 17 in-depth interviews with clients in three of the 18 areas where the program runs: Blacktown, Bega and East Sydney.
“We wanted to hear about the experiences women have had when they make the choice to leave a violent relationship but stay in their home without the violent person,” explains Maria Kissouri, SHLV Senior Project Officer, Community Services.
“We wanted to know if the violence continued and if they were able to sustain living in the home.”
Authored by Robyn Edwards, Research Associate with the University of NSW’s Social Policy and Research Centre, the study found:
- 14 of 17 participants are now living free from violence
- Two thirds of participants have remained in the family home with their children after leaving the violent relationship
- SHLV worker support was crucial in helping them to rebuild their lives after leaving their abusive partner.
The study results come at a critical time as Community Services expands the program across NSW.
Caseworkers make a difference
SHLV is based on principles of prevention and early intervention, meaning that when women leave domestic violence relationships, they should not be victimised again by losing their home and becoming homeless.
The program works in partnership with the police so the perpetrator is removed, allowing a woman to maintain the home and connection to her local community.
“In the past, there’s been a view that it’s not safe for women to remain in their own homes; they had to flee to a refuge to be safe,” says Robyn Edwards.
“I don’t think that’s good enough. We need to look at ways, with the police and local courts, to make it safe for women and children to stay put.”
“The research reflects positive accounts of clients’ experiences of the Staying Home Leaving Violence services provided to them,” adds Maria Kissouri.
“What really came across in the study was the excellent skills and qualities of the case workers and the provision of long-term practical and emotional support that is centred around the women and children’s needs.”
Stay or go? Informed choices easier with SHLV
Typical is this participant’s comments:
“I feel OK because all my neighbours know. I’ve got the security door on the front and I’ve got an alarm (organised by the SHLV worker). If something happens, my neighbours will ring the police.”
Compelling read: Maria Kissouri SHLV Senior Project Officer, reads the Staying Home Leaving Violence report, based on interviews with 17 women who experienced domestic violence and chose to stay in their homes once the perpetrator was removed.
Robyn says the findings of the study demonstrate that SHLV is preventing homelessness and supporting women and children to remain safely in their homes and live free from violence.
“Not all women will choose to remain in their home when they leave a domestic violence relationship but for those who do, the local Staying Home Leaving Violence service is there to help them,” she says.
Women were overwhelmingly positive about the help they received from their support workers.
“She’s been supportive in every aspect of everything that’s gone on for me in the last 12 months; she’s the one person I’ve called on for everything, not just for the domestic violence, but for my personal things,” says one woman.
And children have reaped benefits from the program.
“The kids have been here since they were born…this is their home. They know all the neighbours. It’s close to the park, the beach. I’ve been here for years, I don’t want to move,” says one participant.
“Through Staying Home Leaving Violence, children can continue at the same school and they can maintain supports such as their neighbours, friends and family,” adds Maria Kissouri.
Get a copy
SHLV is supported by the NSW Police Force, NSW Department of Health, Housing NSW and the Department of Justice and Attorney General who showed their support for the initiative by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in December 2009.
The MOU has supported the expansion of the program from three pilot sites to a total of 18 projects across NSW with $8 million in funding from Community Services.
For women who choose to escape violence and remain in their home, SHLV provides:
- Comprehensive risk assessment and safety planning, including funds for security upgrades to the home
- Court support for applications for exclusion orders and at Family Court proceedings
- Liaison and collaboration with the police
- Case work to address financial, tenancy and other personal issues
- Referrals to legal advice, counselling and other support services.
Interested in reading the report? Visit:
http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/shlv_evaluation2.pdf
Need to find a service in your area? Visit:
http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/parents_carers_and_families/domestic_and_family_violence.html