Worker's understandings of DV

About the research project

Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence or family violence, including femicide, is an entrenched social problem across the Globe. In Australia, one in four women have been impacted by physical and/or sexual violence from their intimate partner (Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety, 2023). Furthermore, many women are parenting in the context of domestic violence, with children being deeply impacted, emotionally and developmentally, by seeing and hearing violence perpetrated towards their mothers (Laing et. al., 2018). 

While much attention has been focused on responses to intimate partner violence and family violence more broadly, there remains contention surrounding this pervasive social issue. Currently, there are marked contradictions and tensions between disciplines as to the gendered nature of intimate partner violence and family violence (Cripps, 2014; Love et. al, 2020, Maturi, 2023; Straus, 2007, Wilkinson and Goodwin, 2025). These tensions raise questions about how these differing understandings impact on workers perceptions and subsequently on women and child victim/survivors.

This project explores workers understandings of intimate partner violence and family violence, working from the premise that 'understandings matter'; with the aim of developing a cohesive feminist framework that supports women's and children's rights to stay together and live free from male perpetrated intimate partner violence and family violence.

References:

Kyllie Cripps, Who's Failing Who - New Failure to Protect Laws in Victoria and the Impact on Indigenous Mothers and Their Children, 8 INDIGENOUS L. BULL. 15 (July/August 2014)

Laing, L., Heward-Belle, S., & Toivonen, C. (2018). Practitioner Perspectives on Collaboration across Domestic Violence, Child Protection, and Family Law: Who's Minding the Gap?

Australian Social Work, 71(2), 215–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407X.2017.1422528

Love, H. A., Spencer, C. M., May, S. A., Mendez, M., & Stith, S. M. (2020). Perpetrator risk markers for intimate terrorism and situational couple violence: a meta-analysis. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 21(5), 922-931. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838018801331

Maturi, J. (2023). "Risk and abolition: perspectives of front-line domestic violence workers supporting refugee and migrant women on safety and policing." Contemporary Justice Review : CJR, 26(3), 319–341. https://doi.org/10.1080/10282580.2024.2305932

Straus, M. (2007). Conflict Tactic Scales. In N. A. Jackson (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence (pp. 190-197). Routledge: Taylor and Francis Group. 

Wilkinson, B. With Goodwin, S., (2024) Intimate Partner Femicide: contesting the 'legal story' (1st ed.). London, England, Routledge.

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Bethany Wilkinson

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
• Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

• Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) (Research) or 
• Master of Social Work (Research)

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

• Knowledge of Domestic and Family Sector

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Bethany Wilkinson to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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