Publications

Donna has been involved in many publications most notably the innovative action research "Community Health Centre's are for Young People Too!" and the "Were not sick so what's wrong with our health?" in 1993. Donna actively engaged young people in the research and development of these innovative projects that paved the way for change in service delivery in community health in Victoria.

Whilst at Domestic Violence Resource Centre Vic and post Donna was involved in the development of two publications:

Bad Mothers and Invisible Fathers' Parenting in the Context of Domestic Violence, Discussion Paper 7, 2009

For a perpetrator of domestic violence, one of the most effective ways to hurt and control his partner is to undermine her mothering.

DVRVC's newest Discussion Paper reviews the research on mothering and fathering in the context of domestic violence. It finds that women are often held responsible for the effects of their partner's domestic violence on their children, while the behaviour of the violent man as a father remains invisible.

It considers:

• What tactics do perpetrators of domestic violence use to undermine women's mothering?
• What effects does this have on a woman's parenting and her relationship with her children?
• What kind of fathering is provided by men who perpetrate domestic violence?
• Why do courts and services assume that a perpetrator of domestic violence will still be a good father?
• How can services develop an understanding that children's wellbeing is the responsibility of both parents, and hold perpetrators accountable for the effects of their behavior on their children?

By Ellen Fish, Mandy McKenzie and Helen MacDonald

 

Violence-Induced Disability: the Consequences of Violence Against Women and Children. Discussion Paper 5, 2006.

Much disability is actually caused by violence. However, the most common connection made when disability is discussed in research literature is that disability is a risk factor affecting the likelihood of violence being perpetrated against women. This Discussion Paper considers violence and disability in a causal relationship.

The paper explores the relationship of experiences of violence to particular disabilities, for example cerebral palsy, behavioural and learning disabilities in children, acquired brain injury, and the effects of depression and anxiety in older years. We hear from women and children about their own experiences. The paper also takes a look at government policy and practice. This paper is written primarily to raise public awareness of violence-induced disability. It is aimed at a broad audience including policy-makers, educators and service providers, and women who have experienced violence-induced disability.

To order Contact DVRCV on (03) 9486 9866 or email dvirc@dvirc.org.au

 

Donna has training workshops that cover the practice and policy issues identified in these publications. Please follow the links below or contact us for more information.

These are:

• Rights, Advocay, Action!
• "Between A Rock and A Hard Place!"- Parenting After Domestic Violence
• The Double Dilemma! - Disability and Domestic Violence
• The system matters!