Monash leads nationwide family violence study

A nationwide study, which includes Monash University researchers, will investigate the impact of family violence during and after parental relationship breakdown.

A team of researchers from Monash University''s department of social work and the law faculty, together with the departments of social work at the University of South Australia and James Cook University have been commissioned by the Federal Government to undertake a study of separated or divorced parents and children of separated parents who have been through the family law process in recent years.

The study will seek to understand the level of violence that occurs between family members (either adult to adult or adult to child) when the family unit breaks down, what level of treatment families suffering family violence receive and if there can be more done to support them through a very difficult time.

Department of Social Work study co-convenor Professor Thea Brown said research into how domestic violence cases were handled was essential information if the Federal Government was to plan for managing family violence and parental separation.

"Earlier studies suggest that domestic violence is the major cause of parental separation in 66 per cent of parental relationship breakdowns," Professor Brown said.

"For 33 per cent of these couples, the violence can be categorised as serious. Research also shows that in some demographics and some regional areas, family violence can be a contributing factor to separation in 80 per cent of cases."

"Parental separation and family violence are very difficult situations and while family violence is often the catalyst for families separating it is also a potentially dangerous, life threatening and frightening situation that requires very specific treatment, expertise and services."

Parents who have separated since 1995 and children of separated parents wanting to participate in this survey can visit either the Parents online survey or Children and young people online survey.

For more information contact Samantha Blair, Media and Communications on +61 3 9903 4841 or 0439 013 951.

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