This conference presentation will explore some of the key issues in conducting inclusive evaluations in the family violence sector, with a specific focus on communities with often under-represented voices including people with disabilities and individuals identifying as LGBTIQA+. A trauma-responsive approach, which goes beyond being trauma-informed, addresses the unique challenges faced by these communities and ensures their voices shape the evaluation process and outcomes. The presentation will include practical approaches and practices that provide a safe and empowering experience for evaluation participants. This will include discussions on effective inclusive governance, ethical approaches for data collection, addressing systemic limitations of administrative datasets, and sensemaking processes to shape and share findings.
Key takeaways for audience members will include:
1. Understanding the complex interplay of trauma, oppression, and violence within communities with under-represented voices is crucial. By adopting trauma-responsive approaches, we can tailor evaluations to meet the specific needs of people with disabilities and LGBTIQA+ individuals in the family violence sector.
2. To conduct evaluations that are comprehensive, appropriate and that do not harm, inclusive governance structures are essential. Active participation of lived experience team members and representatives from under-represented groups empower these individuals and ensure their perspectives shape the evaluation process from design through to reporting.
3. Existing administrative data collection systems often have limitations when gathering data from under-represented communities. This presentation discusses these and proposes ethical data collection methods that prioritise participant confidentiality, safety, and empowerment in data collection. By utilising trauma-responsive data collection practices, evaluations can gather accurate data and contribute to evidence-based interventions and policies.