Gaylene Little - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Gaylene Little

No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic... more No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the copyright holders.

Finding Opportunities in Crisis, 2013

Researchers from the Eastern Institute of Technology worked in partnership with DOVE (Domestic Vi... more Researchers from the Eastern Institute of Technology worked in partnership with DOVE (Domestic Violence Act) Hawkes Bay family violence intervention service, to investigate the effectiveness of the family violence interventions provided by the DOVE Research Project. One strand of the research undertook in-depth narrative interviews with nine perpetrators and victims of family violence in two provincial cities in New Zealand. Narrators were from a range of backgrounds, ages, ethnicities and circumstances. Some continued living with the partners with whom they had a violent relationship while others had moved on. Transforming family violence is complex and multi-stranded. Within each story threads of despair and hurt, anger and brokenness are juxtaposed with possibility and potential, achievement and strength in the face of overwhelmingly difficult circumstances. These stories illustrate the complexity of opportunity and transformation for people dealing with family violence. Is the opportunity presented by engaging with a family violence intervention service simply one of survival or is there hope for greater growth? What turns a crisis into an opportunity for transformation in the most personal of situations – intimate partner violence? When can we confidently say that transformation has taken place? How do external systems – the Police, criminal justice and family protection proceedings – help or hinder change? Data collected from other strands of the DOVE Research Project, including stakeholder interviews and statistical analysis of programme data, indicate that connecting with a family violence intervention service in the aftermath of a family violence crisis has the potential to create opportunities for familial growth and transformation. This chapter presents three stories which use the participants’ own words to illustrate the transformative struggle. Key Words: Family violence, narrative research, DOVE, intervention service, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, prevention, transformation, anger management, alcohol, assault, child protection, whānau, own words, Hawke’s Bay.

www.eit.ac.nz/2013/dove What was good about DOVE is it just makes you sit and think. Shows you th... more www.eit.ac.nz/2013/dove What was good about DOVE is it just makes you sit and think. Shows you the damage you are doing and that it is all about your own choices not about anybody else. It was bringing back a lot of things that I knew and I learnt a lot of new things as well. Men’s Service User It was a very helpful positive experience, but in the beginning it was awful. You have to face this stuff. They kept saying keep coming, it gets better. Those promises are what kept me coming back…it was only because you were facing stuff that was so raw. Women’s Service User Who would benefit from DOVE? – A person with anger problems – – that just loves to fight and stuff – – yeah – – yeah, I know loads of boys like that. Focus group of high school boys who had participated in

This thesis explores child maltreatment in New Zealand by considering service delivery of the Fam... more This thesis explores child maltreatment in New Zealand by considering service delivery of the Family Start programme at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga through an empowerment evaluation. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the service delivery process of the Family Start programme at this site to inform the organization and other Family Start key agents of possible improvements to service delivery so that the Family Start programme is best able to reduce the risk factors that are known to influence child maltreatment in New Zealand. The best possible service delivery by kaupapa providers supports sustainability and the continuity of service with Māori through continual funding. The two objectives of this research are to look at how well the Family Start programme is implemented at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga and to consider the cultural appropriateness of service delivery. Community psychology is the paradigm within which I position myself. I respect the values of community psycholo...

New Zealand has made international commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All For... more New Zealand has made international commitments under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women to secure equality for women, including addressing the high prevalence of violence against women (Fenrich & Contesse, 2009). Nevertheless, nationally, it is estimated that one in three women has been the victim of family violence (Fenrich & Contesse, 2009). Family violence also negatively impacts children and men. The Eastern Police District (which included Hawke’s Bay) has higher than average rates for call-outs to offences relating to family violence (New Zealand Police, 2011).
To address family violence, data-driven and evidence based primary prevention programmes are recommended (Garcia-Moreno & Mikton, 2010). Yet despite New Zealand’s, generally sound legislative framework for dealing with family violence, there has been a lack of evaluation of the effectiveness of programmes and services (Fenrich & Contesse, 2009).
The DOVE Research Project came about after discussions between DOVE Hawkes Bay (DOVE) and the Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT). Given the high levels of family violence in Hawke’s Bay, DOVE and EIT believed it was important to undertake research into the efficacy of DOVE’s family violence intervention services, and in particular, whether DOVE’s services were resulting in long-lasting positive changes for individuals, families and whānau. Collection of research data focused particularly on the six months 1 July – 31 December 2011.
The project research questions were:
• Do DOVE’s intervention and education programmes make a difference for participants (protagonists and victims) and their whānau?
• If so, what difference and for whom?
The research investigated common features that lead to positive outcomes across services, unique features of particular programmes or interventions, effectiveness for particular client groups, and aspects of services that could be improved or expanded.
A mixed quantitative and qualitative method was used. The quantitative data included a three-year statistical overview, as well as analysis of service use data from 1 July-31 December 2011. Interview data was collected from men, women and youth clients; DOVE staff and external stakeholders. In addition, a number of narratives were collected and collated from individuals who had used DOVE’s services, tracing their journeys with violence, working with DOVE and changes made to reduce family violence in their lives.
The research found that attendance at DOVE is a result of multiple factors, including presence of violence, involvement in criminal and family justice systems, motivation for change and service accessibility. DOVE clients’ backgrounds span a socio-economic and cultural range. In the period 2008 -2010:
• DOVE had over 1900 client enrolments
• 60% of clients were male and 40% female
• 47% of clients were European, 32 % Māori and 7 % Pacific, 12 % did not state an ethnicity
• Clients were predominantly between mid-20s and 40 years old. The most common client age was 32 - 33 years
• Men’s Service clients were referred from the Community Probation Service, referred from the Family Court and self-referred in roughly equal numbers. In contrast, in the period 1 July – 31 December 2011, 88% of women attending DOVE were self referred. Nine per cent were referred by the Family Court and 3% by the Community Probations Service. In the period 1 July – 31 December 2011, schools and agencies accounted for 41% of youth referrals, followed by 18% from CYF, 17% self-referrals, 14% from family and 7% from friends.
A number of both female and male clients were grappling with issues that complicated attempts to become free of family violence, including high levels of past trauma, and alcohol and other drug issues. Enrolments increased with level of socio-economic deprivation, and were especially high for those living in decile 10 areas (the most deprived, as measured by NZDEP Index (Salmond, Crampton & Atkinson, 2007).
The research data showed that DOVE makes a worthwhile and positive contribution to the safety of Hawke’s Bay families. Triangulation of findings from multiple data sources indicated that DOVE helped to address family violence in the Hawke’s Bay by providing male and female perpetrators with effective tools to reduce their violent or abusive behaviour, offering support and education to female victims, and providing education and counselling to youth affected by family violence or anger management issues. Family violence is a complex issue requiring a multi-dimensional response. DOVE provides this through services including group and individual programmes for men, women and youth; individual support services, nurturing the development of a Pacific Men’s service, interagency collaboration and other efforts. The holistic, personalised and flexible aspects of DOVE’s service provision were extremely highly valued by clients and stakeholders. This included some individual services, support to overcome barriers to attending programmes, and the provision of individual programmes. The transformation these programmes and services supported in individuals’ and families’ lives appeared to be one of DOVE’s greatest strengths.
Participants in DOVE’s group programmes can find the process challenging. A single DOVE programme was not always sufficient to transform a family’s situation so as to eliminate family violence for them. Living without violence was an on-going challenge for some. Nevertheless, as a result of DOVE’s services, there are individuals, family and whānau whose lives were enhanced because they had developed strategies and behaviours to deal with anger and model non-violent behaviours to their children. For those who had experienced family violence, DOVE gave them opportunities to take control of their lives and move past previous situations of victimisation.
DOVE’s Men’s Services focus on men as perpetrators of family violence. Psycho-educational group programmes appeared to make a positive difference for many participants. Many men rated tools such as: stop, time out, and acknowledging warning signs as highlights of their learning. Two highly regarded elements of DOVE’s services for men were the provision of programmes in prison, and the Pacific Programme.
DOVE’s Women’s Services focus on women as both victims and perpetrators. Women reported that after attending DOVE they were safer and there was less violence in their homes than prior to attending. Women also indicated that they had improved self esteem and confidence, that they had different ideas about what was acceptable in relationships, and that they have made positive changes in their domestic relationships and their social support networks. Women attending group programmes found the support of other women in similar situations beneficial.
Youth Services focused on young people as perpetrators and victims of family violence and anger issues. These were highly regarded by stakeholders. In addition, the Safemates Programme delivered in schools was highly valued by school stakeholders and students interviewed. Its success relied firstly on the rapport built by DOVE facilitators, then on the content and presentation style. A great deal of concern was expressed at DOVE’s subsequent winding down of the Youth Service.
DOVE services were generally described as respectful towards Māori. Specific philosophical underpinnings and practices that helped Māori participants to feel respected were whakawhānaungatanga; manaakitanga; the appropriate use of karakia, mihi and pepeha; and the gifting of koha. Nevertheless, in the 6 month study period, 1 July – 31 December 2011, completion rates for Māori clients were lower than for non-Māori. Given that Māori commenced using DOVE services at higher rates than non-Māori, it is worth considering whether there is more DOVE could do to ensure Māori receive culturally suitable services. The individual services provided by suitably skilled staff were most able to be provided to Māori in culturally authentic ways.
A significant proportion of clients of the Men’s and Women’s Services were parents, and their children had been affected by family violence. There was evidence that negative effects on children of family violence were reduced through DOVE’s work with their parents. In addition, children were a powerful motivation for change for both men and women.
DOVE successfully addressed many barriers to participation. Nevertheless, barriers to access remained, particularly around transport, timing of group programmes and venues. In the three-years from 2008-2010, the estimated programme completion rate was just over 71%. Women were more likely to complete than men. Participants in both Men’s and Women’s Programmes may be excluded if they miss more than two sessions. Participants who are late for a session may be marked ‘absent’. This can create barriers to programme completion. Funding frameworks may create barriers by working against flexible, holistic or collaborative approaches and creating perverse incentives in service provision.
Building trusting relationships with staff was essential to clients’ engagement. A great deal of evidence was recorded of positive relationships with DOVE staff, who were seen to have good rapport and be empathetic, calming, professional and authentic. DOVE was held in very high regard in the community as experts in family violence prevention. The organisation played an essential role in community collaboration, including active engagement on interagency initiatives.
The research report concludes with recommendations to maintain and enhance the effectiveness and scope of DOVE’s services.

Family violence intervention presents specific challenges for practitioners, whether they are wor... more Family violence intervention presents specific challenges for practitioners, whether they are working specifically in this area or in general social work practice. The authors draw on the findings of a research project in which they were involved to suggest for themes that, together, form a vision of practice for family violence intervention in New Zealand: manaakitanga, whakawhanaungatanga, professional integrity, and authenticity. The project investigated the effectiveness of services delivered by a regional family violence intervention service, DOVE Hawke’s Bay. The themes identified encompass relational, humanistic, knowledge, and experiential bases for practice with Māori and non-Māori clients. Warmth and connectivity is tempered with avoidance of collusion and accountability. Gentle persistence and ‘keeping it real’ are important, as are professional skills, knowledge, and integrity.
Keywords: manaakitanga, whakawhanaungatanga, professional integrity, authenticity,
family violence

Finding Opportunities in Crisis, 2013

Researchers from the Eastern Institute of Technology worked in partnership with DOVE (Domestic Vi... more Researchers from the Eastern Institute of Technology worked in partnership with DOVE (Domestic Violence Act) Hawkes Bay family violence intervention service, to investigate the effectiveness of the family violence interventions provided by the DOVE Research Project. One strand of the research undertook in-depth narrative interviews with nine perpetrators and victims of family violence in two provincial cities in New Zealand. Narrators were from a range of backgrounds, ages, ethnicities and circumstances. Some continued living with the
partners with whom they had a violent relationship while others had moved on.
Transforming family violence is complex and multi-stranded. Within each story threads of despair and hurt, anger and brokenness are juxtaposed with possibility and potential, achievement and strength in the face of overwhelmingly difficult circumstances. These stories illustrate the complexity of opportunity and transformation for people dealing with family violence. Is the opportunity presented by engaging with a family violence intervention service simply one of survival or is there hope for greater growth? What turns a crisis into an opportunity for transformation in the most personal of situations – intimate partner violence? When can we confidently say that transformation has taken place? How do external systems – the Police, criminal justice and family protection
proceedings – help or hinder change? Data collected from other strands of the DOVE Research Project, including stakeholder interviews and statistical analysis of programme data, indicate that connecting with a family violence intervention service in the aftermath of a family violence crisis has the potential to create opportunities for familial growth and transformation. This chapter presents three stories which use the participants’ own words to illustrate the transformative struggle.
Key Words: Family violence, narrative research, DOVE, intervention service, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, prevention, transformation, anger management, alcohol, assault, child protection, whānau, own words, Hawke’s Bay.

Finding Opportunities in Crisis, 2013

Researchers from the Eastern Institute of Technology worked in partnership with DOVE (Domestic Vi... more Researchers from the Eastern Institute of Technology worked in partnership with DOVE (Domestic Violence Act) Hawkes Bay family violence intervention service, to investigate the effectiveness of the family violence interventions provided by the DOVE Research Project. One strand of the research undertook in-depth narrative interviews with nine perpetrators and victims of family violence in two provincial cities in New Zealand. Narrators were from a range of backgrounds, ages, ethnicities and circumstances. Some continued living with the
partners with whom they had a violent relationship while others had moved on.
Transforming family violence is complex and multi-stranded. Within each story threads of despair and hurt, anger and brokenness are juxtaposed with possibility and potential, achievement and strength in the face of overwhelmingly difficult circumstances. These stories illustrate the complexity of opportunity and transformation for people dealing with family violence. Is the opportunity presented by engaging with a family violence intervention service simply one of survival or is there hope for greater growth? What turns a crisis into an opportunity for transformation in the most personal of situations – intimate partner violence? When can we confidently say that transformation has taken place? How do external systems – the Police, criminal justice and family protection
proceedings – help or hinder change? Data collected from other strands of the DOVE Research Project, including stakeholder interviews and statistical analysis of programme data, indicate that connecting with a family violence intervention service in the aftermath of a family violence crisis has the potential to create opportunities for familial growth and transformation. This chapter presents three stories which use the participants’ own words to illustrate the transformative struggle.
Key Words: Family violence, narrative research, DOVE, intervention service, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, prevention, transformation, anger management, alcohol, assault, child protection, whānau, own words, Hawke’s Bay.