A new national study led by RMIT University aims to target how Australia addresses intimate violence among young people.
Announced by the Australian National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS), the $414,000 project titled ‘The IVY Study’ seeks to fill critical gaps within existing support systems and intervention strategies.
Early research exposes that 1 in 3 young Australians will experience intimate partner violence before they’re 18. This violence includes sexual abuse, online harassment, and controlling tactics.
Despite the severity of these issues, current services are unable to provide adequate support to address the unique needs of young victims and perpetrators.
Project lead and Associate Director for Research, Advocacy and Policy at RMIT’s Centre for Innovative Justice, Elena Campbell, acknowledges the deficiencies in the current system.
“Services to respond to young people’s use of harm at home are becoming increasingly available but abuse in intimate relationships is influenced by complex factors that our service system is not always equipped to address,” Campbell said.
The research will involve collaboration with the Centre for Family Research and Evaluation and the Australian Institute of Family Studies, drawing on frontline experiences to shape its recommendations.
“We need to meet young people on their level, not just have another person in an uncomfortable setting telling them that they’re the problem needing to be fixed,” said Campbell.
The IVY Study aims to develop a framework that better supports young people through targeted interventions.
This includes specialised training for service providers to ensure they understand the complexities of adolescent relationships and violence. Unlike adult programs, which often involve generalised group therapy sessions, the study advocates for approaches that resonate with young people’s experiences and developmental needs.
The initiative is part of a broader $1.4 million investment by ANROWS in six projects focused on violence prevention and response.
CEO at ANROWS, Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, said ending violence is a shared responsibility that requires the involvement of all sectors.
“This additional investment allows us to expand our research to new areas and address the complex and multifaceted nature of violence. By doing so, we can ensure a lasting, safer future for all women and children and prevent violence across generations.”
The study arrives at a crucial time, following a $4 million funding boost from the Australian Government aimed at tackling domestic violence under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.
Comments