Evidence, policy and practice in family violence

The combination of decades of advocacy by women's organisations and a number of high profile cases has finally resulted in significant public and policy attention being paid to family violence in Australia. With this increased attention a range of facts and opinions are being aired and used to justify policy and funding decisions. Given the prevalence of and significant costs associated with family violence, it is essential that our responses at the societal and individual level are evidence-­based. In this presentation Dr McEwan will examine the research underpinning some common beliefs about family violence, identifying where policy and practice may be being informed by strongly held opinion rather than by evidence.

Speaker

Dr Troy McEwan is a Senior Lecturer in Clinical and Forensic Psychology at the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology, and a Senior Psychologist at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health. Dr McEwan's research interests lie in understanding, assessing and managing complex criminal behaviours including stalking, family violence, arson, and sexual offending. She is an internationally recognised expert in stalking behaviour and her publications in this area include the Stalking Risk Profile, a structured instrument used by mental health and law enforcement agencies around the world to assess and manage stalking-related risks.

Dr McEwan focusses her research on projects with strong translational potential, aiming to directly influence practice and policy decisions to improve responses to complex criminal behaviours. She provides consultation to law enforcement on family violence and stalking and currently coordinates projects investigating methods of improving police risk assessment and management in family violence cases. Dr McEwan currently sits on the ANZAPPL national committee in the role of President-Elect and has previously acted as President of the Victorian branch of the Association.