Social Work - Theses
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ItemCloaked in Strength An exploration of Aboriginal mothers’ experiences of family violence and the role of cultural practice as a tool of engagement, resilience and resistance( 2021)The violence in the lives of Indigenous women globally has been sustained and perpetuated through generations of patriarchal and colonial subjugation. As a result, a growing and important discourse on Indigenous feminist thought explores the possibilities of Indigenous women’s polity, agency and gendered standpoint. In Australia, the nature of domestic and family violence (DFV) experienced by Aboriginal women is distinct and of urgent concern as rates rapidly increase. The Cloaked in Strength study seeks to examine the lived experience of DFV of urban Aboriginal women using an Indigenous women’s standpoint and an Aboriginal woman researcher’s subjectivity. The study begins with a broad narrative review of the literature pertaining to DFV, Indigenous women and feminism, and cultural practice. A critical interpretive synthesis of the literature follows, enabling a deeper review of Indigenous mothering and DFV. The study engaged 17 Aboriginal mothers living in Melbourne through yarning interviews and a series of possum skin cloak workshops to consider their stories of DFV. The research uses a possum skin cloaking methodology to frame its engagement with Aboriginal women. Cultural practices and their restoration as a process of healing and cultural continuity are under-researched as protective factors and important mechanisms to support Aboriginal women in the context of DFV. In Aboriginal communities across south-eastern Australia, possum skin cloaks were traditionally made in preparation for the birth of a baby, were inscribed with tribal lore, and imbued the wearer with cultural identity and place. Contemporary possum skin cloak making is grounded in renewal, belonging and cultural strength – all synonymous with healing in the context of DFV. The findings are themed as Aboriginal women’s place, relationships, being and future in the context of DFV. They relate to the marginal positioning of Aboriginal women within the private and public spheres, in their communities and across society. Analysis of the interviews draws attention to the nature of Aboriginal women’s relationships and how structures of power impact their mothering and the obfuscation of accountability. The trauma of DFV is a feature of the findings, as are survival and hope. Several significant areas of discussion emerge, including the perpetuation of silences, the relationality of Aboriginal women and the support they provide one another, and the agency Aboriginal women demonstrate that informs a self-represented counter-narrative. Methodological findings related to the possum skin cloaking highlight important considerations about DFV research with Aboriginal women. These are discussed in the contexts of authorising environments, and repositioning value, agency and resistance. They explore assumptions about Aboriginal women and their citizenship value and the ways in which Aboriginal women establish safety and self-representation in contexts of violence. Tenuous DFV theorisation and the silent locations of DFV discourses are detailed throughout the discussion. An important conclusion is that DFV research is important to Aboriginal women. While Indigenous women’s feminisms vary around the world, they have a unifying feature that foregrounds Indigenous women’s gendered and cultural experiences of being in the world. Colonialism, inextricably shaped by patriarchy, uniquely positions Indigenous women worldwide in their resistance against violence. Empirical research, conducted appropriately, can un-silence Aboriginal women’s voices.
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ItemShared understanding of knowledge translation in a domestic violence research network( 2021)Background: Despite significant growth in knowledge translation research, there remains a gap in our understanding of the connection between knowledge translation, domestic violence research and research networks. Knowledge translation is crucial as it creates the connection between those that produce the research and those that use the research. However, despite efforts, there is still a disconnect between researchers, practitioners and policymakers, suggesting a need to further explore this critical area of research. One framework, Integrated Knowledge Translation, offers the potential to bridge these gaps. Aims: Given the paucity of existing literature, this study explored the shared understanding of knowledge translation of a domestic violence research network. The study answered the following questions: What is the shared understanding of knowledge translation and activity in a domestic violence research network? How is a shared understanding of knowledge translation developed in a domestic violence research network? Method: The study utilised several methodological approaches, including participatory action research and realist research. The three phases of data collection included an online scoping survey; a realist informed systematic review and deliberative dialogue. Results: The scoping survey completed by 49/65 researchers found a focus on practitioners when sharing results from research with considerable gaps that included policymakers and survivors. A systematic literature review of 50 studies using a realist lens identified mechanisms of change that support knowledge translation. The synthesis of the included studies identified five potential program theories. A deliberative dialogue explored these mechanisms further and identified four key actions 1) agreement on a knowledge translation approach; 2) active promotion of dedicated leadership within an authorising environment; 3) development of sustainable partnerships through capacity building and collaboration particularly with survivors; and 4) employment of multiple strategies applying different kinds of evidence for diverse purposes and emerging populations. Conclusion: This study adds to our understanding of the meaning of shared knowledge translation by exploring the knowledge translation activity of a research network. Moreover, the mechanisms of change identified will support the knowledge translation of future research networks. The use of the deliberative dialogue has uncovered specific factors required for the successful knowledge translation of domestic violence research. These factors have been added to the Integrated Knowledge Translation capacity framework to enhance its application for domestic violence research. Future research could explore these individual, professional organisational and network factors further by evaluating them in practice. Forthcoming research could also explore these factors with input from survivors.