Towards Better Practice

Towards Better Practice: Enhancing Collaboration Between Women's Domestic Violence Services and Mental Health Services

This three year study, funded by the Australian Research Council, was conducted by The University of Sydney in partnership with; Joan Harrison Support Services for Women, Liverpool/Fairfield Mental Health Services, The Education Centre Against Violence and the Transcultural Mental Health Centre.

The project began in January 2006 and was completed in December 2008.

The aim of the Towards Better Practice project was to improve co-ordinated service responses for women who were experiencing, or had previously experienced, domestic violence and mental health concerns/mental illness. The project aimed to address this issue by exploring collaboration between women's domestic violence services and mental health services. Initiatives to improve collaboration, as informed by the voices of clients and pratitioners working in mental health and domestic violence services, were trialled and evaluated in the final stage of the research using an action research approach.

To access papers which have come from the research, please click the "papers and presentations" tab on the left hand side of the screen.

If you (or someone you know) require urgent and immediate assistance to ensure your safety, please contact the police via emergency services on 000 (Australian residents) or contact your local police station.

The Towards Better Practice website serves to disseminate information regarding the research project. If you require assistance or information about domestic violence issues, please follow this link to the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse's help and safety page: http://www.austdvclearinghouse.unsw.edu.au/help_and_safety2.htm