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experiences the team utilise in their practice including considering cultural and spiritual needs as a pathway to healing trauma.

Tracks
Monarch Room - In Person
Thursday, December 1, 2022
11:55 AM - 12:15 PM

Overview

Karina Cootes


Speaker

Mrs Jenni Dickson
Executive Manager Community Support Services
Better Place Australia

Identifying Attitudes and Implementing Changes Relating to Coercive Control

Abstract

Within the Social Services sector, and more specifically the Domestic and Family Violence sector, the collective understanding of coercion and coercive control has evolved to recognise that skewed power dynamics, heterosexist gender notions, and rigid beliefs are the main drivers of gender-based violence. Further to this, advocates have moved the focus to men to assume responsibility for the efforts to eliminate violence against women and the impact of heterosexist notions of masculinity. Even though coercive control is not currently embedded in legislation in Australia the term has gained prominence in the academic and social services sector.

The Centre for Better Relationships developed and trialled a survey to measure the knowledge and attitudes of staff in relation to coercive control. The preliminary results showed that traditional gender roles/norms were still prevalent, and that unconscious bias was an area for improvement.

Following the survey Better Place Australia considered what changes needed to occur to ensure that consideration to the impact of coercion and control was understood and addressed through service delivery.

From a top down approach, Better Place Australia underwent changes to organisational policy and service delivery guidelines. Staff were provided training through a lens of coercion and coercive control to gain a better understanding of the practice implications and considerations needed to be considered in our work with clients.

A review of client tools and models of service was initiated providing the practitioners with a framework for identification, assessment and decision making. However, the hidden aspect of coercive control has to lead to a more rigorous risk management framework where clients do not have to have acknowledged their experience of abuse to ensure that power balances are addressed and safety and support is paramount to every client accessing a service in the organisation.

Biography

Kristen Poel commenced her career as a Social Worker in South Australia. In 2013, Kristen joined Better Place Australia as Team Leader and managed the delivery of counselling services as well as family dispute resolution. Kristen’s current role is Regional Services Manager of mediation services for South East Victoria.

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