Discussion papers - Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria

DVRCV's Discussion Papers

DVRCV's Discussion Paper series furthers debate in the family violence field by providing comprehensive analysis of current issues.

The papers are available for purchase at DVRCV - see To Order (below).

Behind Closed Doors: Family Dispute Resolution and Family Violence. Discussion Paper 6, 2007.

'the effects of the abuse….I didn’t realise that the mediation session would tap into the ongoing issue about having feelings about having no rights, no identity, no status, being undeserving, needing to be punished for leaving the marriage…to ask for anything is very dangerous' (DVIRC Interview, Kate).

Under the new family law system in Australia it is compulsory for separating parents to attempt family dispute resolution (FDR) prior to taking their parenting dispute to court. Although there is an exception for family violence cases, many women who have experienced such violence will undertake FDR either because the violence is not detected or because it is not seen to impact on their capacity to participate. Some women who have experienced family violence may choose to engage in FDR given the limited alternatives available in the family law system.

DVRCV and other services are concerned about the impact of the new system on victims of family violence. In this Discussion Paper, DVRCV outlines these concerns, including the potential for the emphasis on FDR to push family violence further ‘behind closed doors’ to be dealt with in the private arena of FDR.

Taking a pragmatic approach to these issues at a practice level, the paper then attempts to address the following questions: How can FDR services effectively identify and respond to victims of family violence? Under what conditions should services proceed with providing FDR to separating couples when family violence has been identified?

A range of complex practice dilemmas and issues are discussed, including:

the pros and cons of using FDR
the risks with using FDR in family violence cases
ways in which FDR services can identify and respond to family violence
issues in screening and risk assessment for family violence
the potential benefits of specialised FDR formats (such as shuttle mediation or co-mediation) for family violence clients
recommendations for policy and practice in this area.

This Discussion Paper is now out of print. Download your free copy here (pdf)

More on this topic - see DVRCV Quarterly articles

Violence-Induced Disability: the Consequences of Violence Against Women and Children. Discussion Paper 5, 2006.

Much disability is actually caused by violence. However, the most common connection made when disability is discussed in research literature is that disability is a risk factor affecting the likelihood of violence being perpetrated against women. This Discussion Paper considers violence and disability in a causal relationship.
The paper explores the relationship of experiences of violence to particular disabilities, for example cerebral palsy, behavioural and learning disabilities in children, acquired brain injury, and the effects of depression and anxiety in older years. We hear from women and children about their own experiences. The paper also takes a look at government policy and practice. This paper is written primarily to raise public awareness of violence-induced disability. It is aimed at a broad audience including policy-makers, educators and service providers, and women who have experienced violence-induced disability. Available now $20 (GST Free)....download Order Form (pdf)

Download the Contents page and Introduction for this paper (pdf)

What is Child Sexual Abuse: re-thinking what we know. Discussion paper 4, 2003.

This Discussion Paper isolates and interrogates some of the dominant frameworks of meaning that surround child sexual abuse, and points to how particular frameworks enable us to see and respond to certain dimensions of the problem, while obscuring others from our view. The paper compares and contrasts the child protection provisions of three different pieces of legislation which are used to protect children who have been sexually abused in Victoria. It raises concerns about the adequacy of current approaches to protecting children. Price $20 (GST free)

Download the Contents page and Introduction for this paper (.pdf file 847 kb) or print off and fax or post our publications order form (pdf).

Family Violence & Homelessness: removing the perpetrator from the home. DVIRC Discussion Paper 3, 2002.

Women and children who are subjected to family violence are vulnerable to homelessness. The traditional focus of social policy responses has been on supporting them to leave situations of family violence, through funding a network of emergency and transitional accommodation. More recently, there is increased policy interest in identifying strategies to assist victims of family violence to remain safely in their homes, while the perpetrator of the violence is removed. DVIRC's Discussion Paper presents suggestions as to how policy can be directed to removing violent men from the family home, evaluates the two main legal interventions that exist in Victoria to enable this to happen, and discusses obstacles typically faced by those who pursue these legal interventions. The paper also explores some of the strategies and initiatives that have emerged elsewhere to address the problems identified, and recommends ways of making positive change. Price $20 (GST free)

Download the Family Violence & Homelessness Paper Contents page and Introduction (.pdf file 904 kb) or print off and fax or post our publications order form (pdf).

Men as Victims of Domestic Violence: some issues to consider. DVIRC Discussion Paper no. 2, 2002.

The second in DVIRC's occasional Discussion Paper series takes as its focus research purporting to show that women are as violent as men in relationships. The paper untangles the methodology of research based on the Conflict Tactics Scales, and illuminates how such research has been taken up and used, including in the media, by those promoting a 'men's rights' political agenda. This paper provides no neat answers to a thorny issue, but rather opens up the area for informed debate. Price $20 (GST free)

Download the Contents page and Introduction for this paper (.pdf file 462kb) or print off and fax or post our publications order form (pdf).

What's in a Name? Definitions and Domestic Violence. Discussion Paper 1, 1998

This paper provides a critical analysis of the umbrella terms 'domestic violence', 'family violence' and 'Violence Against Women'. It is essential reading for those involved in thinking about, and working in the area of, domestic violence and child abuse. Price $20 (GST free)

Download the Contents page and Introduction for this paper (.pdf file 827kb) or print off and fax or post our publications order form (pdf).

TO ORDER Discussion Papers:

Cost = $20.00 per paper (bulk orders of 10+ = $15 per paper - postage additional for orders outside of Victoria, Australia).

Download our Order Form and post or fax it to DVRCV. Or contact DVRCV for more information on (03) 9486-9866 or dvrcv@dvrcv.org.au (Note: prices are GST Free)

Note: The introductions and contents pages only for each Discussion Paper are available for download (pdf files) from this page.