Newsletter Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria

Home > Publications > Newsletter Content

DVRCV's Newsletter - Contents

The DVRCV Quarterly (formerly DVIRC Quarterly) is produced quarterly, and contains feature articles that address practice and theoretical issues about domestic violence and sexual assault (some articles can be downloaded below). It provides updates on the law, current research and training, new print and internet resources, as well as a comprehensive listing of support groups in Victoria.

Comments from those who participated in our recent Newsletter evaluation included: 'It's so much more than a newsletter. Sometimes I take it home to read. It keeps me up to date with such a varied range of issues', 'Keeps me intellectually on my toes', and 'Articles are always high quality and informative'. For more on the results of our evaluation see this article (in Word)

Selected full-text articles from our Newsletter are available below (MS Word format or pdf).
To Subscribe: Download and Post our Newsletter Subscription Form (Annual subscriptions: $48 organisations, $28 individuals, $18 concession)

Issue 2, 2007

Feature articles:

Beyond Domestic Violence: Mongolian and Australian women's journeys of survival by Marion Oke
The Integrated Family Violence Service System: an Insider's Vioew of the Experience So Far in the Northern Region by Felicity Rorke
Under Surveillance: Domestic Violence and Technology by Mandy McKenzie
Behind Closed Doors: Family Dispute Resolution and Family Violence - New Discussion Paper by Debbie Kirkwood ... view article (pdf)

Issue 1, 2007

Feature articles:

Recovery from Violence - the role of long-term support by Debbie Kirkwood
Researching Domestic Violence in Refugee Families by Bob Pease and Susan Rees
Backlash and Beyond - shifts in attitudes to domestic violence by Mandy McKenzie...view article (pdf)
The Benefits of Legal Representation in Mediation and in the Family Court by Kate Frost

Issue 4, 2006

Feature articles

Violence Against Women and Men in Australia: what the Personal Safety Survey can and can't tell us - by Michael Flood...view article (pdf)
Real Rape: help for women sexually assaulted by partners - Louise McOrmond-Plummer
Family Law Dispute Resolution: the implications for victims of violence - Debbie Kirkwood...view article (pdf)
Connecting Family Violence and Disability Services in Cardinia and Casey - Lucy Wickham
DVIRC Staff Profile: Chris Jennings
Figuring Violence: Women with Disabilities...view article (pdf)

Issue 3, 2006

Animal-Assisted therapy for children affected by family violence and homelessness - Nerys Lewis and Karen Damiani
Reflections: Twenty-five years in child protection - Karen Flanagan
Reconceptualising Domestic Violence: a History of the Howard Government's Approach - Amy Webster
Figuring Violence: The Personal Safety Survey 2005 ....view article (pdf)

Issue 2, 2006

Now Be Reasonable...A Report from DVIRC’s Annual Family Law Forum – by Mandy McKenzie
Family Law Changes: Privatising Family Violence – by Renata Alexander
Family Dispute Resolution: Opportunities Risks and Challenges in the new system – by Andrew Bickerdike
Encouraging Family Harmony in African Communities in the Western Region – by Robyn Gregory and Munira Adam
Chill Choose Change: Promoting respectful relationships – by Tamara White and Stephen Hoskin
‘You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone’ ...Victoria’s Family Violence Networkers – by Vig Geddes
Big Brother and Sexual Assault: How far we have come or how far we have to go? – by Mandy McKenzie and Priscilla Salloum...view article (pdf)

Issue 1, 2006

The Peek-A-Boo Club: Group work for infants and mothers affected by family violence by Wendy Bunston.
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse through a Public Health Approach: What is Australia doing? by Mayumi Purvis and Andrew Joyce
Elizabeth Scott - the First Woman Hanged in Victoria by Debbie Kirwood...view as pdf
A New Approach To Family Violence Laws in Victoria by Zoe Morrison.
'Journeys in Fatherhood' Book Review by Allie Bailey.
Update: Family Law changes

Issue 4, 2005/06

Unplanned or Unwanted Pregnancy and Domestic Violence - Annarella Hardiman
'We Want to be Aware': reflections on violence prevention with young people - Renee Imbesi
The Crime of Domestic Violence: reflections from prison - 'Kate'
Preparing for Mediation: Tips from Women who have Experienced Domestic Violence - Pia Mathys and DVIRC - view as .pdf or see this as a webpage
Family Relationship Centres: Implications for Separating Families - Allie Bailey - view as .pdf
Violence During Pregnancy: potentially disabling consequences for mothers and babies - Liz Olle.
Young People Living with Family Violence: Figuring Violence Fact Sheet - view as .pdf

Issue 3, 2005

Preventing Violence Against Women with Disabilities: Learning from North American service responses by Keran Howe
When Violence is the Issue: A report from DVIRC’s Diversity Forum by Janet Hall
DVIRC’s new Accessible Website by Mandy McKenzie
Expert Survivors in Groupwork: Making changes
by Kate Ward and Shakti McLaren
The Hidden Phenomenon of Financial Abuse of Women by Elizabeth Branigan
Don’t Forget Gender! Why gender-specific services must be maintained by Vig Geddes - view as .pdf
Family Law Reforms will Silence Victims of Violence

Issue 2, 2005

Elder abuse: similarities and differences to domestic violence by Cheryl Hastie.
Into the Archives: Child Sexual Abuse, Van Diemen's Land, 1838 by Helen MacDonald.
Barriers to Safety: Changes to Family Law by Marie Hume.
A New Family Law System: a report from a DVIRC forum by Janet Hall.
DVIRC's Newsletter Evaluation Results...View article (Word)
Young People's Views on Developing Effective Websites: Learnings from burstingthebubble.com by Mandy McKenzie...View Article (Word)
The Future of Family Violence Prevention Networks by Cheryl Munzel...View Article (Word)
Update on policy and the law

Issue 1, 2005

A feminist model of mediation: using lawyers as advocates for participants who are victims of domestic violence by Rachael Field. ...View Article (pdf)
Family Violence and family mediation by Allie Bailey and Andrew Bickerdike....View article (pdf)
The Future of National Clearinghouses of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault by Jane Mulroney and Melanie Heenan.
What is the status of Indigenous women and Indigenous feminism in Australia? by Rochelle Jones.
Medical Responses to Adults who have experienced sexual assault: a module for doctors - a review by Marg D'Arcy.

Issue 4, 2004/05

Reforming Defences to Homicide: Towards Gender Equity by Libby Eltringham and Liz Olle...View Article (MS Word)
Screening: a cautionary tale by Deb Walsh
Real Trouble in the Home - the Domestic Violence Reality for Women with Disabilities by Sue Salthouse and Carolyn Fromhader
'But Mum's a victim too": Exploring the Relationship Between Women's Own Experiences of Domestic Violence and their Decision to Harm their Children by Lee Fitzroy.

Issue 3, 2004

Transmitting Family Violence? A Theory in Need of a Reality Check by Laura Cornwell...View Article (MS Word)
Family Violence and Animals by Helen MacDonald
In the Playground: An Account of Bullying amongst Young Women at School by Natalie Bevilacqua

Issue 2, 2004

Burnout and Vicarious Traumatisation: What are Refuge Workers Facing? by Heidi Brescher
Capturing the Friedmans: Capturing the Truth? by Allie Bailey
The Space In-between: Bringing Together Feminist and Psychological Theories on Child Sexual Abuse by Mayumi Pervis
Making Service Information Accessible by Chris Jennings....View Article (MS Word)
The Family Court Family Violence Strategy: A Legal Update by Libby Eltringham

Issue 1, 2004

Family Violence as a workplace issue by Victorian Community Council Against Violence
Nurturing Strength: a creative arts program by Victoria Schnaedelbach
Mending the Cracked Kettle: a response to Don Watson's book Death Sentence by Margot Scott
More than just a snappy title: a review of two books for parents whose teenagers are in abusive relationships by Lauren Siegmann
Right Baby Wrong Man by Margaret Brown
Every Picture Tells a Story: DVIRC's response to the report on the inquiry into Child Custody Arrangements...View Article (Ms Word)
The National Abuse Free Contact Campaign by Marie Hume

Issue 4, 2003

Reforming Defences to homicide for Women who Kill: A critical Analysis of Law Reform Options by Debbie Kirkwood from Federation of Community Legal Centres
Turning More Homes Into Prisons: A Case Against New Home Detention Laws by Amanda George from Brimbank Community Legal Centre
The 'Truth' About Child Sexual Abuse: The Importance of Listening to Children by Chris Goddard from the Child Abuse and Family Research Unit at Monash University
Silence Breeds Violence: 'Bursting the Bubble' on Family Violence by Deborah Light ...View Article (MS Word)
'Bursting the Bubble' and Empowering Young People by Jessamy Babbel ..View Article (MS Word)
The Way of the World by Robbie
A Journey of Recovery from Childhood Physical and Emotional Abuse by Tim White
Domestic Violence Services Victoria: A report on VWRADVS's AGM and New Identity by Ellie Delafield

Issue 3, 2003

Restorative Justice and Family Violence: Debating Paradigms of Justice for Family Violence by Jenni Southwell from DVIRC...View Full Article (Ms Word)
New Website Hits Home: Bursting the Bubble A Guide for Teenagers Living with Family Violence by Mandy McKenzie from DVIRC...View Article (Ms Word)
Possibilities for Group Work with Women who have been Subjected to Violence and Abuse by Tracy Castelino and Kerry Laidlaw from Darebin Community Health Service
Batterer As Parent: Addressing the Impact of Family Dynamics by Lauren Siegmann from DVIRC
Losing Out: The Financial Costs of Domestic Violence for Affluent Women by Louise Mitchell from WIRE
Enquiry into Joint Custody Arrangements: DVIRC's Submission
A Rural Family Violence Forum in Edenhope by Shirley Baker, Beverley Paul and Annie Ferguson

Issue 2, 2003

Rethinking our knowledge about child sexual abuse by Jenni Southwell from DVIRC ...View Full Article (Ms Word)
Staying Home after Family Violence by Janet Hall from DVIRC
'All you do is look back and regret': disenfranchised grief as an obstacle to recovery from abuse by Sylvia Weisz and Margot Scott from DVIRC ...View Full Article (Ms Word)
Map of Victorian Domestic Violence Initiatives

Issue 1, 2003

Violence in Lesbian Relationships: challenging ideas about domestic violence by Mandy McKenzie from DVIRC...View Full Article (MS Word)
From Bully Busting to Breaking Through: a critical postmodern examination of gender and power in schools by Angela Scarfe
Book Review: In the Firing Line: violence and power in child protection work - review by Jenni Southwell
Organising a Successful Family Violence Forum by Monika Merkes

Issue 4, 2002

When Home Doesn't Feel like Home by Angela O'Brien (article on disability and family violence)
'An Almost Endless List of Injustices': violence against women with disabilities by Maree Ireland
Support Groups, Online Bulletin Boards and chat groups by Mandy McKenzie

Issue 3, 2002

Family Violence and Homelessness: removing the Perpetrator from the Home by Jenni Southwell
Relationship breakdown and the division of property: implications for de facto relationships by Ellie Delafield
Update on Government Initiatives: report from a DVIRC forum
Australia's Legislative Response to sexual discrimination: a background briefing by Ellie Delafield
Counterpoint: a refuge for young women by Eloise Connelly

Issue 2, 2002

The Relationship Between Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse by Eleonora Gullone, Judy Johnson and An Volant.
Balancing the Act: family violence, Intervention Orders and Victorian Magistrates Courts by Jessamy Babbel
The Disposable Sex: a review of the Myth of Male Power

Issue 1, 2002

Bringing Up Boys: a book review by Alice Bailey
Police Responses to Domestic Violence by Aleksandra Vrankovic
The Relationship Between Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse by Eleonora Gullone
'VRADS': a history of women's refuges and domestic violence services in Victoria by Wendy Austin.

Issue 4, 2001

Men as victims of domestic violence. By Chris Atmore (this article provides a shortened version of DVIRC's forthcoming discussion paper, available in 2002)
Solution-focused approaches: how are they useful in working with domestic violence? By Susie Costello.
Clearing Pathways - Reforming Systems: a reflection of the achievements and existing challenges of the Gold Coast Domestic Violence Integrated Response. By Betty Taylor.
What about Victoria? a response to Betty Taylor's article. By Virginia Geddes, DVIRC.
A forum on Family Law. By Janet Hall, DVIRC.
Book Review of 'Women Can't Hear What Men Don't Say: Destroying myths, creating love' by Warren Farrell. By Bob Pease.

Issue 3, 2001

'We live under a government of men and morning newspapers': some findings in the representation of domestic violence in the press. By Ilsa Evans.
A search for legal protection from family violence, by Rosemary Wearing, Senior Lecturer, La Trobe University. Research into the impact of the Victorian Crimes (Family Violence) Act, 1987.
Legal Responses to Family Violence: the need for a critical review, by Jenny Nunn from DVIRC, and Marg D'Arcy, CASA House.
Adolescent Family Violence, by 'Mary'. A woman's experiences of violence from two of her adolescent children
Research Snippets - the latest research on family violence
Training, 'Dear Dot', New books, Noticeboard, Support groups in Victoria

No. 2, 2001

Children Abused in Contact Arrangements: Some Implications for Practitioners by Kathryn Rendell. Research conducted in Queensland on child contect arrangements, the Family Court and the legal aid system.
Women's Experiences of the Legal System: Domestic Violence, Relationship Expectations and Legal Intervention, by Maria Vucko. Research into women's experiences of seeking legal protection.
Non-Violence: What's it all About? by Ines Zuchowski. A video made by young people.

No. 1, 2001

'Out of the Fire: Domestic Violence & Homelessness' publication of collected articles, produced jointly with the Council to Homeless Persons, and the NSW Women's Refuge Resource Service. Contains 35 articles from around Australia on policy development, legal responses, research, policies and programs.

Available for purchase from DVIRC $22 (incl. GST) Ph. (03) 9486-9866 or email dvrcv@dvrcv.org.au for further information.

No. 4, 2000

Domestic Violence, Relationship Expectations and Legal Intervention: Factors that Influence the Decisions Women Make, by Maria Vucko.
Working with Men who use Violence: Accountability to Women? by Pauline Woodbridge, North Queensland Domestic Violence Resource Service.
The Family Law Reform Act 1995: Living up to Expectations? by Janet Hall, DVIRC.
Children's Support Workers in the Women's Refuge Program, by Ellie Rickards, DVIRC.
Violence Prevention for Young Women by Mandy McKenzie, from DVIRC.
Family Violence in South Korea: The Challenges of Prevention by Wendy Weeks, University of Melbourne.
Working with Women Experiencing Mental Health Issues in Refuges: Documenting the Themes, by Tamara Incoll, DVIRC.

No. 3, 2000

Understanding and working with young male survivors of sexual assault. By Noel MacDonald, Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault.
The Australian Domestic & Family Violence Clearinghouse, by Lesley Laing.
'Sorry, It's my genes!' Pleading Denial of Responsibility for Rape, by Pete French, RMIT University.
The New Federal Magistrates Court, by Jenny Nunn, Trainer, DVIRC
Pregnancy to Parenting: issues and care for adult survivors of child sexual abuse, by Janet Hall, DVIRC.
The Police Role in Domestic Violence, Family Violence Unit, Victoria Police

No. 2, 2000

The Myth of Male Violence? by Ben Wadham, Men Against Sexual Assault. Assesses the evidence that women are the perpetrators of domestic violence as often as men.
The Cycle of Violence Revisited: working with recurrence and change. By Carol Hughes, Family therapist.
Working with Males: dilemmas and directions, by Chris Atmore, DVIRC.

No. 1, 2000

Rejecting or Recycling the Cycle of Violence: is there any life left in the 'cycle' metaphor? By Carol Hughes, Family therapist.
Domestic Violence in Pregnancy, by Deborah Walsh.

No. 4, 1999

Claims about Husband Battering, by Michael Flood.
Providing a Helping Hand, by Susan Moss. Describes a personal experience of helping a friend who was living with a violent partner.
Understanding cultures when working with victims of family violence, by Silvia Weisz from DVIRC.
The 'Cycle of Violence': continuing the debate. By Ron Schweitzer.
In fear of Deportation and Domestic Violence, by Janet Hall
Catching a Dream and Letting Pigs Fly: schools respond to domestic violence. By Ines Zuchowski. No. 3 1999
Reformulating Self-defence by Helen Brown. Violence against women and reforming the law of self-defence.
In Response to Questioning that 'Cycle of Violence'. A debate about the usefulness of the 'cycle of violence' as a conceptual framework in understanding domestic violence.
Spiritual Dimensions of Change: a wide angle view on deling with the long term effects of violence by Frances Guerin. A community artist ooks at the evluation of 'Silent Witnesses' workshops and exhibition for women survivors of incest and violence.
Court Network by Annie Marsh. Information, support and referral to people who come into contact with the justice system.
Trial by Legal Aid by Billi Clarke and Helen Matthews. An examination of the impact of funding cuts to Legal Aid on domestic violence cases.

Regular features include: 'Dear Dot' section - 'Dot' answers your questions

Research Snippets - Updates from a selection of latest research

Library News - New books and resources on domestic violence and sexual abuse

DVIRC Training courses

Notice board - service updates, conferences, workshops and new resources.

Support groups - support groups currently running in Victoria

Winter 1999

Perpetrator Programs: an insider witness perspective by Carol Hughes and Karen Weiss. A discussion between two women who have worked as facilitators in men's behavioural change groups for several years.
'The Court is not a Sausage Machine' by Janet Hall. Learning about Intervention Orders in a mock court.
Changing Negative Self-Perceptions and Thought Patterns: Women dealing with violence by Marion Oke. A discussion of the ways in which cognitive therapy can be adapted by those working with survivors, to assist the women to think and feel differently about themselves in the process of recovery.

Autumn 1999

Current Responses to Children and Young People Affected by Domestic Violence: Beyond dichotomies by Kathryn Rendell. Reflects upon the assumptions behind the theoretical underpinnings of both 'child-centred' and feminist' practices.
Parents in Partnerships: Developing services for mothers who have a mental illness and their children. By Rose Cuff, Helen Mildren and Liz Short. An innovative project that provides an intergrated way of working to assist mothers who have a mental illness and their children.
Questioning that 'Cycle of Violence' by Pam Loughnan. Questions the usefulness of the 'cycle of violence' as a way of explaining various pahses which the violence is said to pass through.
Book Review: 'Mirrors, Windows and Doors' by Suzie Costello. A review of a self-help book for men about violence and abuse in the home.
The Family Violence Pilot Project: Victoria Police. A look at the pilot project which uses the 'complaint and warrant' process to arrest and bail perpetrators of family violence.