Breaking New Ground – Evidence-based Adolescent to Parent Violence Intervention
Tracks
Ballroom Two
| Wednesday, December 1, 2021 |
| 2:26 PM - 2:46 PM |
Overview
Ms Rachael Meiers & Mr Alek Jacoby, Brisbane Domestic Violence Service, Micah Projects
Speaker
Mr Alek Jacoby
Male Youth Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Advocate
Brisbane Domestic Violence Service, Micah Projects
Breaking New Ground – Evidence-based Adolescent to Parent Violence Intervention
Abstract
The Renew program at Brisbane Domestic Violence Service (BDVS), an activity of Micah Projects aims to provide a trauma informed intervention for young people aged 12-17 using adolescent to parent violence towards their female care giver. The presentation will explore the journey of ReNew from a pilot, implementing an international evidence-based program Break4Change (B4C) to achieving safe outcomes with families. This program is the only one in the Brisbane City Council region providing hope, support and results for families who have limited to no alternative support services specialising in Adolescent to Parent Violence (APV).
BDVS provides families with a comprehensive risk and safety case management approach that assists to create systems accountability for adult perpetrators. Families engage in safe, trauma informed psychoeducational support through tailored one on one and group work. Our APV program empowers female caregivers to build tools and confidence in their strengths as a parent. The evidence-based intervention has had success in young person’s acknowledging their use of violence in the home and developing strategies to building mutual respect for the female caregiver. Impressively in over a year the combination of these factors has already resulted in a reduction in the severity and frequency of violence used by the young person towards the female care giver and other family members.
Presenters will discuss the adaptation of the Break4Change program to the Australian context, incorporating a feminist lens that acknowledges the gendered aspect of domestic family violence, and adapting the B4C group content into customised one-on-one practice. Griffith University are currently finalising an evaluation of the ReNew program which is informing continuous improvement. BDVS is incorporating these research findings, which include voices of lived experience into our direct practice, developing the program from an evidence-based program to an evidence building program.
BDVS provides families with a comprehensive risk and safety case management approach that assists to create systems accountability for adult perpetrators. Families engage in safe, trauma informed psychoeducational support through tailored one on one and group work. Our APV program empowers female caregivers to build tools and confidence in their strengths as a parent. The evidence-based intervention has had success in young person’s acknowledging their use of violence in the home and developing strategies to building mutual respect for the female caregiver. Impressively in over a year the combination of these factors has already resulted in a reduction in the severity and frequency of violence used by the young person towards the female care giver and other family members.
Presenters will discuss the adaptation of the Break4Change program to the Australian context, incorporating a feminist lens that acknowledges the gendered aspect of domestic family violence, and adapting the B4C group content into customised one-on-one practice. Griffith University are currently finalising an evaluation of the ReNew program which is informing continuous improvement. BDVS is incorporating these research findings, which include voices of lived experience into our direct practice, developing the program from an evidence-based program to an evidence building program.
Biography
Alek Jacoby is the Male Youth Specialist Domestic Violence Worker and Rachael Meiers is the Women’s Advocate in the Renew program specializing in adolescent to parent violence at the Brisbane Domestic Violence Service.
Alek has a Bachelor of Social Work from QUT and experience within non-profit, homelessness and youth sectors. Alek is passionate about developing trauma-informed, engaging groupwork interventions supporting young people to achieve positive change.
Ms Rachael Meiers
Women's Advocate
Micah Projects - Brisbane Domestic Violence Service
Breaking New Ground – Evidence-based Adolescent to Parent Violence Intervention
Abstract
Please see Mr Alex Jacoby
Biography
Rachael has a background in working in both recovery and crisis, specializing in domestic violence and families experiencing homelessness. Rachael graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work from UQ and currently studying family counselling.
