Bibliographies

Australian materials are indexed in the Australian Family and Society Abstracts Database and are available for loan from the ACSSA collection at the Australian Institute of Family Studies library. Online publications in PDF format require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Homelessness, Family Violence and Sexual Assault

Australian publications

International publications

A collaborative approach to working with women who have experienced sexual violence as children - Stepping Out Housing Program.
Bullen, Jane; Jacobs, Julia; Le Pont, Lou Lou; Martin, Michelle; Smith, Constance.
In: NSW NGO Conference 2004 - NGOs Mental Health and Community: Turning the Tide, March 2004. Sydney, NSW: Mental Health Coordinating Council, 2004, 17p, Online only
Stepping Out Housing Program is a medium term supported accommodation service in south western Sydney for women (with or without dependent children) who have experienced child sexual assault and are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This paper addresses the needs and experience of tenants who tell the story of being considered 'Too Hard' to work with and who have trouble locating services that respond adequately to their complex needs. Tenants and staff from Stepping Out were interviewed about their experiences of collaboration between services including mental health services, and the paper includes the voices of the those interviewed. Ideas are suggested for positive ways forward toward a better outcome.

Access and equity equals best practice. (PDF 1.5M)
Jennings, Chris.
Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter no.29 Winter 2007: 4-6 and Online (whole issue)
This article calls for domestic violence services to respond to the needs of disabled women, a neglected and marginalised population experiencing high rates of violence and fewer pathways to safety. The author outlines good practice strategies for improving disabled women's access to services and justice, including addressing service barriers, developing accessible information, documenting cases, facilitating interagency collaboration, and raising awareness that women with disabilities face high rates of violence from both intimate partners and carers, and are in need of support.

An impossibly ambitious plan? Australian policy and the elimination of domestic violence.
Murray, Suellen.
Just Policy no.38 Dec 2005: 28-33
Despite 20 years of Australian federal and state government support for programs to reduce domestic violence, levels of violence towards women remain high. This article argues that although community education campaigns and programs to ensure the safety of women and children are important, a fundamental social shift is needed to effect understanding and prevention of domestic violence. The elimination of domestic violence is not possible while family harmony and social order take precedence over women's empowerment.

An option for homeless domestic violence survivors.
Lachlan, V.
Parity v.14 no.2 Mar 2001 / Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre Newsletter Autumn 2001: 56
The Women's Housing Association (TWHA) is a not for profit community housing organisation, established in 1980 to house women survivors of domestic violence, with or without children. This article describes the work of the TWHA and its effectiveness in addressing homelessness.

Beyond gender: class, poverty and domestic violence.
Evans, Susan.
Australian Social Work v.58 no.1 Mar 2005: 36-43
This article argues there is a need for a more encompassing understanding of the relationships between domestic violence and all forms of marginalisation in the Australian context. Specific attention will be given to the invisibility of class and poverty in contemporary discourse about domestic violence in the mainstream population. That there continues to be a higher prevalence of domestic violence, and more severe physical injury sustained as a result of domestic violence among population groups living with poverty, exposes the partiality of mainstream knowledges informing Australian domestic violence policy and practice. This article proposes prevention efforts must accommodate how class and the effects of poverty interlock with other aspects of social identity to shape the experience of domestic violence for people both victimised by, and perpetrating violence. (Journal abstract)

Child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities. (PDF 149K)
Stanley, J.
In: Conference papers: Child Sexual Abuse: Justice Response or Alternative Resolution, Adelaide, May 2003. Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2003, 9p, Online only
This paper is based on the author's discussions with Muriel Cadd and Julian Pocock from the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care. It discusses the following issues: the extent of child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities; the complications around understanding the problem - why it is even more difficult to understand child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities than in the non Indigenous population; the contribution of past and present trauma experienced by Indigenous people to the present problem of child sexual abuse; cultural clashes in child protection - how one cultural model of operating is imposing on another cultural model of operating; and the way forward, moving beyond consultation to negotiation.

Children accompanying homeless clients 2002-03: a report from the SAAP national data collection.
Giovanetti, Anne; Kulkarni, Manjiree.
Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2004, 55p, tables, figures (SAAP NDCA report), and Online
This report provides analysis of the children of Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) agency clients who accompany their guardian to the agency or who seek or receive assistance as a result of their guardian's involvement with the agency. Data are presented on: SAAP use by accompanying children; characteristics of accompanying children and their parents / guardians; service provision and unmet needs; domestic violence; and circumstances of accompanying children before and after support. Domestic violence is a major theme of the report, as the majority of children accompany their mother or other female guardian who has reported domestic violence as a reason for seeking SAAP assistance.

Childhood sexual assault and homelessness. (PDF 96K)
Tully, David.
In: Beyond the divide: 3rd National Homelessness Conference, 6-8 April 2003, Brisbane. Dickson, ACT: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations, 2003, 3p, Online only
The Adelaide Central Mission's SideStreet Counselling Service offers support services for young people suffering the effects of sexual abuse who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The author discusses the link between childhood sexual abuse and homelessness, and describes the cycle of victimisation that often results from the effects of abuse. He explains the model on which SideStreet bases its service, including the importance for effective outcomes among homeless young people in tackling the issues related to sexual assault.

Community development, crime and violence: a case study.
Lane, M; Henry, K.
Community Development Journal v.36 no.3 Jul 2001: 212-222
The potential of community development to contribute to the prevention of crime and violence is explored in this paper which refers particularly to developmental and sociocultural approaches which link the incidence and fear of crime and violence, with inequality, social exclusion and lack of opportunity for children and young people to develop their potential. The Residents in Safer Environments (RISE) project, based in a public housing estate in Farfield, Sydney, is described and its impact considered in terms of changes in perception of crime, levels of fear, and quality of life. Difficulties with making links between interventions and outcomes are addressed.

Data, women and violence: reflecting what really happens in SAAP.
Bush, Janine.
Parity v.17 no.6 Jul 2004: 42-43
There is a clear link between homelessness and domestic violence. This article considers what the SAAP data indicate about how SAAP has met its objectives, particularly in relation to domestic violence. It discusses SAAP's work in the following areas: homelessness and domestic violence; promoting self reliance, choice and independence; responding to changing patterns of need; increasing partnerships with other service systems; children, SAAP and domestic violence.

Domestic and family violence studies, surveys and statistics: pointers to policy and practice. (PDF 693K)
Marcus, Gaby; Braaf, Rochelle.
Sydney, NSW: Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, 2007, 16p (Stakeholder paper no.1), and Online
Several major studies into domestic and family violence have been undertaken over the last five years, both internationally and in Australia. The publication of these reports has increased the amount of hard data available on the subject of domestic and family violence, and has raised awareness of the issue among individuals and agencies who had not previously realised the prevalence or the social impact of the problem. This paper summarises key statistical data from a selection of quantitative studies of domestic and family violence carried out in Australia and by the World Health Organization between 2000 and 2006. It includes greater detail and discussion of some critical issues.

Domestic violence in the urban fringe.
Di Bartolo, L; Carpenter, B.
Urban Policy and Research v.19 no.3 Sept 2001: 347-366, tables, maps
Police call data for domestic violence incidents in the city of Brisbane were used to further explore the locational disadvantage thesis. It was hypothesised that the supposed additional burdens and stresses on disadvantaged families living in the outer suburbs may be reflected in significantly higher rates of reported domestic violence. Using an index of relative socioeconomic disadvantage and employing Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), this research shows that significantly higher rates of reported domestic violence occur in the inner suburbs relative to the middle or outer suburbs of Brisbane. This finding adds further doubt as to the magnitude of locational disadvantage impacts on outer suburban low income family households. (Journal abstract)

Exploring alternative pathways out of poverty: making connections between domestic violence and employment practices.
Costello, Mayet; Chung, Donna; Carson, Ed.
Australian Journal of Social Issues v.40 no.2 Winter 2005: 253-267
In this article the authors report on the research findings from their exploratory study examining connections between Australian responses to two important social issues: domestic violence and employment. Although international literature particularly from North America, comprehensively addresses the connections between domestic violence and employment, there is a paucity of Australian research on this topic. Intrigued by this as both practitioners and researchers, they sought to discover whether the problems, solutions and conclusions addressed internationally were relevant to an Australian context. The result was a unique contribution to Australian knowledge and practice where they demonstrate the applicability of some aspects of North American approaches to Australia and document innovative local practices in the field. In this article the authors argue for a more comprehensive approach in responses to the connections between domestic violence and employment as an alternative pathway out of poverty for women affected by domestic violence. (Journal abstract)

Family homelessness: a story of exclusion and violence. (PDF 110K)
Bell, K.
Canberra, ACT: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations - AFHO Papers, 2002, 4p, Online only
This paper provides an overview of family homelessness and its causes, and argues that addressing family homelessness needs to be about two things: addressing the growing gap between rich and poor, which is driving the development of a growing 'underclass' who are vulnerable to homelessness; and addressing violence against women and children in the home. Positive initiatives such as the Government's Family Homelessness Prevention Pilots are welcomed, but concern is expressed as to whether the programs will be continued in their selected sites and replicated elsewhere if they are successful - short term programs will not bring about long term change. The need to improve the service response to family homelessness is also argued, as is the need to ensure that families exiting the SAAP system have access to stable and secure long term housing, and intervention to help their re-entry into the community. Attention is also drawn to the high level of homelessness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Overall, the paper concludes, the problem of family homelessness needs to be addressed as part of a comprehensive and fully resourced National Homelessness Strategy.

Female SAAP clients and children escaping domestic and family violence 2003-04.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2005, 27p, tables, figures (Bulletin no.30), and Online
Domestic violence is a major contributor to homelessness among Australian women. This report presents data from the 2003 - 2004 SAAP national data collection on female clients and their children escaping domestic violence. It looks at the age and cultural and linguistic diversity of women escaping domestic violence; their circumstances before and after receiving Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) support, including housing type, living situation, income source, employment status and involvement in legal services; the types of services they requested and were provided with; the length of support and the length of accommodation across cultural groups and geographic regions; and the profile of children accompanying these women and the types of services provided to these children.

Figuring violence: young people living with family violence.
Imbesi, Renee.
DVIRC Quarterly (Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre) no.4 Summer 2005 - 2006: 30-33
This article is a review of research on young people's experiences of family violence. It examines how many young people live with family violence, how often child abuse and domestic violence overlap and the effects that living with violence has on young people. Also discussed are: homelessness as a result of violence; young people as witnesses of domestic violence; problems with the intergenerational cycle of violence theory; the influence of stereotypes; what young people think about family violence services; and what can be done to better support young people.

Gender and peace: implications for community development.
Lane, M.
New Community Quarterly v.1 no.3 Spring 2003: 33-36
The focus of this paper is on gender as a factor influencing the pursuit and attainment of peaceful societies. The author argues that gender justice, that is equality and partnership between men and women, rather than relations of domination / subordination, is a key aspect of social justice, and that without social justice there is no lasting peace, whether that be in families, communities or global arenas. Sexism, patriarchy and matriarchy, all of which reflect relations of domination or gender injustice, are not consistent with peace with justice. (Journal abstract)

Group work a therapeutic response to supporting Indigenous children who have experienced homelessness and family violence.
McAuley, Katrina.
Parity v.20 no.5 Jun 2007: 19-20
The North West Regional Children's Resource Program (NWRCRP) is operated by Merri Outreach Support Service in Melbourne's north west region to provide support and resources for SAAP and family violence services working with children. This article describes NWRCRP's role, and the advocacy and support work it carries out on behalf of Indigenous children experiencing homelessness and/or family violence. It discusses the effectiveness of support services that address structural causes of Indigenous homelessness, and then describes the therapeutic martial arts programs run by NWRCP for Indigenous children in the Moreland, Nillumbik and Hume municipalities.

Health issues for women who are homeless due to family violence.
Dillon, Anne.
Parity v.17 no.8 Sept 2004: 10
Women who experience family violence often suffer ill health and may also experience the impacts of homelessness. This article discusses some significant health issues for women subjected to family violence who remain in the home and health issues for those who leave the home.

Hearing the voices of homeless young women: safety and human rights issues for young women experiencing homelessness.
Zufferey, Carole.
Parity v.20 no.1 Feb 2007: 35-36
Violence against women is a key contributing factor in causing and perpetuating women's homelessness in Australia. Young homeless women as a group are particularly vulnerable to physical and sexual assaults. This article advocates the incorporation of suggestions from young homeless women about the service responses that would be most useful to them. Research done with such women shows that they want: access to safe, permanent and affordable accommodation; educational and employment opportunities; affordable and quality child care; access to drug and alcohol, mental health and counselling assistance. Australia should be providing these services as part of its international human rights obligations.

Homelessness and domestic violence social policy in Australia.
Murray, Suellen.
Parity v.20 no.10 Nov 2007: 17-18
In 2003-2004, one third of the clients using SAAP services were women escaping domestic violence. This article traces shifts in social policy responses to domestic violence against women since the 1970s. It discusses the establishment of women's refuges and more recent shifts in social policy linking homelessness and domestic violence, including the role of police and the courts in allowing women and children to remain in the home while the perpetrator of the violence is removed.

Homelessness and sexual asault: service profile.
Moss, Daniel; Tully, David.
Aware: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault Newsletter no.4 Oct 2004: 17-20, and Online
This article profiles SideStreet, a counselling service of UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide. Too often the effects of abuse are not addressed through young people's trajectory through homelessness.The experience of underlying trauma is the common theme that draws together young people who experience long-term homelessness rather than short-term crisis homelessness. What is often absent from the service response to these young people is any consistent and coordinated response to the effects of the abuse they were subjected to. Often service delivery models fail in combining practical assistance with effective responses to childhood trauma.

Homeless people in SAAP: SAAP national data collection annual report 2003-04.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2005, 116p, tables, figures, and Online
This eighth annual report on the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) National Data Collection provides an overview of assistance given to clients and their children by the Program in 2003-04. SAAP provides transitional supported accommodation and related support services to help homeless people - including women and children escaping domestic violence - achieve the maximum possible degree of self-reliance and independence. Information is presented in the following chapters: Funding; Level of support; Age, gender, and cultural and linguistic diversity; Client groups and reasons for seeking assistance; Support provided; Meeting the needs of clients and accompanying children; Circumstances of clients before and after support; Support from 1996-97 to 2003-04.

Homeless women and violence: rethinking the connection.
Grigg, Sue; Johnson, Guy.
Parity v.20 no.4 May 2007: 9
Drawing on data gathered from 68 women who were interviewed as part of a longitudinal study, this article considers the connection between women's homelessness and violence. The study interviewed members of 103 households as they moved out of transitional accommodation, and interviewed them again 12 months later. The article concludes that the connection extends beyond domestic violence and that service responses need to be extended to accommodate this conclusion.

Homeless careers: a framework for intervention.
Chamberlain, Chris; MacKenzie, David.
Australian Social Work v.59 no.2 Jun 2006: 198-212, figures
The present paper identifies three 'homeless careers' abstracted from the diversity and complexity of individual cases and pathways. These are the 'youth career' the 'housing crisis career' and the 'family breakdown career'. The paper discusses the usefulness of the career typology for framing interventions. A core argument is that early intervention involves different forms of practice in each pathway. For young people, early intervention has to occur when they are at the 'in-and-out' stage, before they have made a permanent break from family. For adults experiencing housing crisis, early intervention is about providing assistance to people before they lose their accommodation. The family breakdown career commonly involves domestic violence, so although early intervention may involve family reconciliation, in many cases it involves supporting victims of domestic violence to move to alternative, secure accommodation.

Indigenous family violence in northern Australia.
Hickey, Kelly-lee.
New Community Quarterly v.4 no.4 Summer 2006: 25-27
A range of socioeconomic problems has been cited to explain the high levels of family violence in Indigenous communities in Australia. This paper acknowledges the complexity of interlocking causes and triggers, but argues that family violence cannot be explained solely in terms of situational factors. It provides a feminist analysis of the impact of colonisation on Indigenous women, arguing that family violence in Indigenous communities is rooted in the intersection of gender and social status with historical and contemporary racist oppression. It also discusses white feminism as a form of colonisation of Indigenous women.

Intersections of family violence, sexual assault and homelessness for women and children: a cross cultural snapshot.
Oberin, J; Sinnappan, M; Tamanisau, A.
Parity v.14 no.2 Mar 2001 / Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre Newsletter Autumn 2001: 43-45
Contemporary issues impacting upon the intersections between family violence, sexual assault and homelessness for women and children are explored in this article which uses case studies of women from Aboriginal, European and Fijian backgrounds to highlight many of the factors specifically relating to rural and remote contexts and to issues of gender, race, ethnicity and class.

Intimate partner violence finally a 'legitimate' public health issue.
Astbury, J.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health v.26 no.5 Oct 2002: 409-411
Violence has always been part of the human experience, and WHO's World Report on Violence and Health signals that the study of violence is a legitimate object of knowledge. The recognition of violence against women at the hands of those known to them and occurring within the private sphere of the home has taken many years to become recognised as a public health and criminal justice concern. The evidence presented in the report, along with the remaining gaps in understanding, pose a number of challenges to public health, outlined by the author in this article.

Intimate partner violence within a cohort of Pacific mothers living in New Zealand.
Paterson, Janis; Feehan, Michael; Butler, Sarnia; Williams, Maynard; Cowley-Malcolm, Esther Tumama.
Journal of Interpersonal Violence v.22 no.6 Jun 2007: 698-721, tables, figure
Reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) were obtained using the Conflict Tactics Scale from 1,095 Pacific Island women living in New Zealand who had given birth in the preceding twelve months. These were analysed to establish the nature and prevalence of verbal and physical aggression. The article presents the research finding that experiences of social inequality and acculturation are associated with IPV, albeit differently across experience of victimisation and perpetration. Factors associated with victimisation are ethnicity, maternal education, social marital status and household income. Factors associated with perpetration are ethnicity, cultural alignment, maternal birthplace and alcohol consumption since the birth of the child.

Involuntary sex experienced by homeless young people: a public health problem.
Rosenthal, Doreen; Mallett, Shelley.
Psychological Reports v.93 no.3 Dec 2003: 1195-1196
There is a higher incidence of young homeless people being exposed to adverse sexual health outcomes and in particular, more sexual assault. In this article, as part of a large survey, homeless young people in Melbourne were asked if they had ever had sex when they did not want to. The authors found that the incidence of involuntary sex was higher than in the general adolescent population, with the common reason being drunk or high at the time. The authors argue that there is a need for programs to provide this group with the ability to avoid unwanted sex.

Is this homelessness? Women and children affected by domestic and family violence. (PDF 120K)
Martin, Robyn.
In: Beyond the divide: 3rd National Homelessness Conference, 6-8 April 2003, Brisbane. Dickson, ACT: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations, 2003, 8p, Online only
Does the labelling of women and children as homeless serve to deflect attention from the domestic violence that caused their homelessness? The author discusses the context of homelessness among women and children. She expresses her concerns that in describing the victims of domestic violence as homeless the dominant discourse is causing the problem of violence to be swept under the carpet; the label denies the reality of the victims' experiences.

Making children count: children, violence, homelessness and the law.
Oberin, Julie; Foster, Pamela; Kirkwood, Cara.
Canberra, ACT: WESNET Women's Services Network, 2005, 40p, figures
This booklet contains information and recommendations for women who have been affected by domestic violence and for workers in the field. It presents facts about children and homelessness and discusses the impacts of homelessness on children and the effect of family and domestic violence on children. The booklet considers whether the Australian legal system is working in the best interests of children and compares it with the New Zealand experience. The booklet also provides details of programs, services and resources that are available for children.

No longer stuck in silence: ways forward in responding to sexual abuse and other childhood trauma in SAAP services.
Tully, D.
Parity v.16 no.7 Aug. 2003: 17-18
The explanation sometimes offered for not addressing the causes of youth homelessness is that young people don't want to discuss their problems. The author explores whether SAAP services should accept this explanation and argues that the barriers to supporting young people who have experienced trauma are not insurmountable. He discusses the two main issues for workers: that they feel they do not have the abilities, experience and support to deal with these problems, and that workers are influenced by community attitudes that deny or minimise incidents and effects of sexual abuse and violence.

Occasional paper.
Atkinson, Judy.
Australian Mosaic v.14 no.2 2006: 20-23
The author has campaigned for years to address the levels of violence against women in Indigenous communities. She describes her efforts, and the response she has received from various government departments and figures that have left her feeling depressed and powerless. She discusses the cycle of disadvantage and abuse, and advocates education as an answer.

Overcoming Indigenous disadvantage.
Field, Jason.
Journal of Indigenous Policy no.5 Mar 2006: 87-93
Addressing Indigenous disadvantage is a necessary criterion for reconciliation. This article discusses the recommendations of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation and the subsequent government response. It examines: the new arrangements for overcoming Indigenous disadvantage, introduced from July 2004; monitoring of the effectiveness of the new arrangements; implications of the new arrangements for the Strategy to Overcome Indigenous Disadvantage; challenges affecting efforts to overcome Indigenous disadvantage; combating violence; the pace of change; encouraging ownership of responsibilities; effective representation of Indigenous peoples' interests; and the role the reconciliation process can play in overcoming Indigenous disadvantage.

Pathways and crime prevention: theory, policy and practice.
France, Alan, ed.; Homel, Ross, ed..
Cullompton, Devon, UK: Willan Publishing, 2007, 368p
Part 1 of this book is about understanding the pathways into and out of crime, while Part 2 explores prevention theory, policy and practice. The book has a strong focus on bringing perspectives from a wide range of disciplines to bear on understanding the developmental pathways and the design of preventive interventions. Part 1 contains the following chapters: Societal access routes and developmental pathways: putting social structure and young people's voice into the analysis of pathways into and out of crime, by Alan France and Ross Homel; Taking the developmental pathways approach to understanding and preventing antisocial behaviour, by Jeanette Lawrence; Adding social contexts to developmental analyses of crime prevention, by Jacqueline Goodnow; Risk factors and pathways into and out of crime: misleading, misinterpreted or mythic? From generative metaphor to professional myth, by Kaye Haw; Young people, pathways and crime: beyond risk factors, by Hazel Kemshall, Louise Marsland, Thilo Boeck and Leigh Dunkerton; Social exclusion, youth transitions and criminal careers: five critical reflections on 'risk', by Robert MacDonald; What mediates the macro-level effects of economic stress on crime?, by Don Weatherburn and Bronwyn Lind; Repeat sexual victimisation among an offender sample: implications for pathways and prevention, by Paul Mazerolle, Margot Legosz, Elena Miceski and Jennifer Sanderson; and, A life-course perspective on bullying, by Jacqueline Homel. Part 2 contains the following chapters: Why early in life is not enough: timing and sustainability in prevention and early intervention, by Alan Hayes; The pervasive impact of poverty on children: tackling family adversity and promoting child development through the Pathways to Prevention project, by Kate Freiberg, Ross Homel and Cherie Lamb; Research-practice-policy intersections in the Pathways to Prevention project: reflections on theory and experience, by Marie Leech, Caryn Anderson and Catherine Mahoney; Leisure as a context for youth development and delinquency prevention, by Linda Caldwell and Edward Smith; The challenges of turning developmental theory into meaningful policy and practice, by Rebecca Denning and Ross Homel; Quality of childcare and the impact on children's social skills in disadvantaged areas of Australia, by Karin Ishimine and David Evans; and, Policies in the UK to promote the well-being of children and young people, by Gillian Pugh. All chapters except those by Haw, Kemshall et al., MacDonald, Caldwell and Smith, and Pugh have been individually indexed.

Persistent homelessness, persistent trauma.
Robinson, Catherine.
Parity v.18 no.7 Aug 2005: 4-5, and Online
Recent research suggests that there is an association between repeated homelessness and the repeated trauma experienced by a large number of homeless people. This article discusses the impact of multiple and cumulative experiences of trauma on homeless people's capacity to maintain housing and housing relationships.

Promoting women's mental health: the challenges of intimate/ domestic violence against women. (PDF 632K)
Taft, A.
Kensington, NSW: Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse, University of New South Wales, 2003, 24p, figure (Issues paper no.8) and Online
This report presents information on rates and effects of domestic violence against women and the responses of health services. The author considers recent evidence on the impact of intimate partner abuse on the mental health of abused women. She then discusses violence against women in reference to the wider environmental and social context, investigating how factors such as poverty, unemployment, low education levels, homelessness, immigration and refugee status can heighten mental illness amongst sufferers of intimate violence. The author argues that if the ill effects of partner abuse are addressed at all levels of society, women's health can be improved. She uses quotations from a study of abused Victorian women and a United Kingdom study of domestic violence and mental health services.

Responding to long-term homelessness: the challenge of qualitative evidence. (PDF 57K)
Robinson, Catherine.
In: 4th National Homelessness Conference: papers. Dickson, ACT: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations, 2006, 9p, Online
What are the key drivers of iterative homelessness? This paper examines the role of social exclusion in creating a vulnerability to homelessness, and ways in which that vulnerability is maintained by cumulative trauma in the lives of those experiencing persistent homelessness. The paper's focus is on a concept of vulnerability that can encompass both social exclusion and personal experiences of grief and trauma, and on how evidence of these sorts of life experiences can be gathered and used to inform service delivery and policy development.

SAAP, safety and domestic violence: a content analysis.
Willis, Karen; Craft, Cec.
Just Policy no.31 Dec 2003: 24-30, tables
Research has demonstrated the need for safe housing options for women escaping domestic violence. This article reports on a content analysis of safety in policy documents for the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program IV (SAAP IV). The report begins with discussion of research in the area, including Raphael's multilayered perspective on safety, which emphasises the geographical, architectural and social support aspects of the concept of safety. The findings of the content analysis are then presented, and the authors conclude that the issue of safety is not given explicit focus in policy documents.

Socioeconomic status and youth aggression in Australia.
Demosthenous, H T; Bouhours, T; Demosthenous, C M.
Youth Studies Australia v.21 no.4 Dec 2002: 11-15, tables, figures
It is perhaps surprising, given the widespread concern about youth violence, that there has been little or no research into the effect of socioeconomic status on youth aggression. In the process of addressing this gap in the research, this Australian quantitative study of students, parents and teachers from socioeconomically diverse backgrounds found associations between socioeconomic status and aggressiveness in school students, which suggest directions for further research and for policy initiatives that may lead to a reduction in youth violence. (Journal abstract)

Staying home / leaving violence. (PDF 145K)
Edwards, Robyn.
In: Beyond the divide: 3rd National Homelessness Conference, 6-8 April 2003, Brisbane. Dickson, ACT: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations, 2003,8p, Online only
Data recorded by assisted accommodation programs shows that the major cause of homelessness among women is domestic violence. The author describes a study into whether women taking steps to escape family violence would or should remain in the family home, and possible ways in which this can be achieved while protecting women and children from further violence.

Supporting families excluded from the homelessness service system.
Coppins, Helen; Groen, Kylie; Finnin, Kaye; Ruffin, Jo; Bowring, Lucy.
Parity v.20 no.5 Jun 2007: 37-38, and Online
The Crossroads Family Housing and Support program serves significant client groups who are excluded from Commonwealth benefits and support such as Centrelink income support, public housing, some community support services, material aid and English language classes. This article makes particular reference to the circumstances of Somali migrants who are New Zealand citizens and therefore ineligible for Commonwealth assistance. Many are women with children who have come to Australia to escape family violence. Crossroads also works in the Moonee Valley, Hume, Moreland and Brimbank municipalities with asylum seekers, who are ineligible for assistance, and with young mothers in the Craigieburn and Sunbury areas needing housing and other support services.

Tackling domestic violence and homelessness with children.
Saunders, Hilary.
In: Beyond the divide: 3rd National Homelessness Conference, 6-8 April 2003, Brisbane. Dickson, ACT: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations, 2003, 8p, Online only
In discussing domestic violence as a cause of homelessness, the author considers the cycle of violence, ways of preventing domestic violence, the effects of domestic violence on children, and the role of contact orders made by the courts as a factor in repeat homelessness for women and children. She believes that domestic violence should be recognised as a gender issue, and child protection and violence prevention programs need to take account of this.
[Available from: Homelessness Australia, Email: info@homelessnessaustralia.org.au. Internet http://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/site/index.php]

The gendered face of family homelessness: women, children and domestic and family violence.
Oberin, J.
Parity v.15 no.2 Feb 2002: 20-21
Recent research shows that the single most common reason given by women seeking accommodation assistance is domestic violence. The author argues that women and children escaping domestic and family violence are the hidden face of homelessness in Australia. However, she cautions against recent proposals to reduce family homelessness by leaving women and children in the home and removing the perpetrator of the violence: if women are to remain safely in their homes they need the support of established outreach services, but outreach services should be funded in addition to, not at the expense of, women's refuges. While applauding government funding of the Partnerships Against Domestic Violence program (PADV), she expresses concern that a large proportion of PADV funding goes to perpetrator related work when treatment programs for the perpetrators of domestic violence have been shown to be largely ineffective. She believes that better results could be achieved with this funding if it were used to expand community services such as women's refuges, domestic violence outreach services and other domestic and family violence services.

The Impact 21 Project.
Smyth, Nancy.
Parity v.16 no.10 Nov 2003: 26-27
The Impact 21 Project aimed to identify, document and promote the range of strategies and models of service provision by New South Wales women's refuges to women and children escaping domestic violence. Following her work on the project, in this article the author discusses issues of accommodation for women and children escaping violence, including public housing waiting lists, the affordability of rental properties and the lack of suitably secure housing.

The many faces of violence committed against and within Aboriginal communities must be addressed.
Wenitong, Mark; Milroy, Helen; Brown, Alex; Mokak, Romlie.
Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal v.30 no.4 Jul - Aug 2006: 22-23
Violence against children has never been part of Aboriginal culture. This paper addresses the issue of violence in Indigenous communities, the impact of the continuing marginalisation of Indigenous people, and the need for effective programs to address the health and well being of Aboriginal people and to prevent violence.

The secret life of us: young homeless women with complex needs.
Graham, Marilyn.
Parity v.19 no.6 Jul 2006: 25-26
What are the effects of childhood trauma on the likelihood of becoming homeless? This article discusses research that examined symptomatic factors of homelessness for young women, and government responses to homelessness. It looks at sexual assault, engagement in self harm and mental health treatment.

Trends and patterns in domestic violence assaults (PDF 136K)
People, Julie
Sydney: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2005
Crime and justice bulletin : contemporary issues in crime and justice ; no. 89, Oct 2005
Domestic violence is an issue that arouses widespread and justifiable public concern. Six to nine per cent of Australian women aged 18 and over are physically assaulted each year. In the majority of cases, the assailant is a man they know. This bulletin uses data recorded by the New South Wales (NSW) Police to provide information on the trends and patterns in domestic violence assaults in NSW. The trends in recorded incidents of domestic violence assault between 1997 and 2004 are described. Data on incidents of domestic violence assault that occurred during 2004 are used to examine the spatial distribution of domestic violence assault in NSW and the locations and premises at which these assaults occur. These data are also used to examine the time of day, day of week and month that incidents occur, as well as the involvement of alcohol in domestic violence assaults. Information about victims and perpetrators involved in incidents of domestic violence assault in 2004 is then provided, including their gender, age, Indigenous s tatus, victim-offender relationship and any injuries they sustained during a domestic violence assault. T he bulletin concludes by examining the relationship between domestic violence assault and several socio-economic factors.

Up front and personal: visible services bridge the divide. (PDF 135K)
Mills, Lynn.
In: Beyond the divide: 3rd National Homelessness Conference, 6-8 April 2003, Brisbane. Dickson, ACT: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations, 2003, 9p, Online only
Family and domestic violence is the main cause of homelessness among women. Women's refuges have provided for homeless women, operating under a model of secrecy means safety. Here the author describes an opposing model for women's domestic violence services. The Northern Domestic Violence Service (NDVS) operates from a shop front service centre in a busy shopping complex in metropolitan Adelaide. The author describes the history and the work of NDVS, and discusses the rationale behind making services for women and children experiencing domestic violence visible and accessible.

Violence and homelessness in young people.
Edwards, Judy; Mallett, Shelley; Keys, Deborah; Rosenthal, Doreen.
Parity v.16 no.10 Nov 2003: 15-17, and Online
This article reports findings from a longitudinal study of homeless young people in Melbourne and Los Angeles - Project i. The study looked at the relationship between homelessness and family violence, and found that 43% of homeless young people surveyed nominated violence as an important or very important reason for their leaving home. The study found that almost all violence was physical assault, with little reporting of sexual assault, and that females experienced more violence than males. The article also looks at the types of violence experienced by young people in the home and their relationships to the perpetrators of violence.

Violent crime in Australia.
Ross, Stuart; Polk, Kenneth.
In: Chappell, D. and Wilson, P. eds. Issues in Australian crime and criminal justice. Chatswood, NSW: LexisNexis Butterworths, 2005, p36-51, figure, tables
How much violence is there in Australia? This chapter looks at the evidence on changing patterns of violent crime, where violence takes place, who the victims are, and rates of homicide, assault, robbery and sexual assault. It also considers the gender and class character of crime.

Ways of knowing about domestic violence: a critical review and discussion of the literature. (MS WORD 243K)
Evans, Susan.
Penrith, NSW: Wentworth Area Health Service, 2003, 73p, Online
Dominant theories about domestic violence that have emerged from feminist theory, psychology and psychiatry are reviewed and critiqued. The paper claims that these theories present a simplistic view of the complexity of domestic violence that has hijacked the policy response of NSW Health. The paper suggests other ways of knowing about domestic violence, arguing that intersections between family violence and socioeconomic or Indigenous status have been rendered invisible by dominant feminist views. It makes recommendations for health policy and practice that focus on broader points of intervention than the protection of women.

Women and children experiencing family violence are the face of homelessness.
Macdonald, Alison.
Parity v.20 no.5 Jun 2007: 21-22
Women and children escaping family violence form the majority of homeless people in Australia. Family violence specialist services for women and children are funded as homelessness assistance services under SAAP. However, there are insufficient places in refuges to meet the demand, and nearly one in two women are turned away from this type of crisis accommodation each day. This article discusses the critical factor of accommodation in women's decisions about whether to leave a violent relationship. It describes the support needs of women and children escaping family violence, and the importance of safe, stable accommodation and minimum disruption to children's schooling. It raises the inequity of the victims rather than the perpetrators of family violence having to leave the home.

International publications

Whose honour, whose shame? Gender-based violence, rights and health.
Astbury, Jill.
In: Manderson, Lenore and Bennett, Linda Rae, eds. Violence against women in Asian societies. London, UK: RoutledgeCurzon, 2003, p159-170 (ASAA women in Asia series)
In this concluding chapter, the importance of employing a rights perspective in addressing the issue of violence against women is discussed. The term gender-based violence is used in order to focus on the importance of female gender as a structural determinant of health and a significant marker of inequality, injustice and the ill treatment associated with violence and abuse. The policy implications of the papers presented in the book are considered.

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