Family Violence Position Paper
Our new Position Paper explores the causes, consequences and appropriate responses to family violence—to create a safer future for all Australians.
In March 2025, in response to the alarming number of high-profile incidents of family violence in Victoria, we released a Family Violence Position Paper. The Paper outlines our organisational response to the complex and evolving issues surrounding this pervasive problem. It follows an internal Background Paper which summarised the latest prevalence data, including injuries and deaths, and covered key issues and flashpoints in academic and public discussion of family violence issues.
Our new Position Paper is designed to provide support to those working in family violence and non-family violence specific programs across the sector, in their understanding of family violence, its causes and consequences, and approaches to prevention.
‘Australia can and must do better in its efforts to reduce family violence.’
- Dr Genevieve Heard, Manager Research
These papers demonstrate our ongoing commitment to family violence prevention, early intervention, and systemic change. We continue to undertake research and evaluation activities related to family violence, to engage and collaborate within and outside the sector and to deliver and further develop our prevention, early intervention and recovery services.
RAV remains committed to stopping family violence, as we work towards our vision for all Australians to have positive, respectful, safe and fulfilling relationships.
How can we understand incidents of family violence and respond appropriately, as a service sector and in the community more broadly?
Our Family Violence Position Paper responds to the latest data on the prevalence and causes of family violence in Australia, and explores different prevention approaches.
Driving change: Sharing the key issues of our Family Violence Position Paper with the sector
Following the release of our Family Violence Position Paper, Dr Genevieve Heard (Manager Research) and Alyson La'Brooy (Manager Family Violence Services) hosted a public webinar that provided attendees with the opportunity to learn more about the complex issue of family violence.
Read more about our research and evaluation work
Current projects
We're currently undertaking research and evaluation projects across a range of areas related to family relationships.
Family dispute resolution: A cost-benefit analysis
Explore the findings of our cost-benefit analysis on the economic and social benefits of our family dispute resolution (FDR) services.
Family dispute resolution: What the research says
Through continuous research and evaluation, we continue to refine family dispute resolution (FDR) and demonstrate its profound and positive impact.
Our partnership with Yarra Communities that Care®
We participated in a collaborative, place-based approach with Yarra Communities that Care®, to strengthen family relationships in the City of Yarra.
Our dedicated research and evaluation team
Driving collaborative design, development and implementation of our outcome measurements and evaluations.
Presentations, webinars and publications
We're committed to knowledge sharing and contributing to sector-wide continuous improvement. We regularly share our research and evaluation learnings at conferences and events and through webinars and podcasts.
Previous projects
For over a decade, we've conducted a wide range of research and evaluation projects, including major projects funded by the Australian Research Council.
Research and evaluation summaries
These summaries are designed to share the outcomes of key projects and initiatives relating to our services, clients and community needs.
Relationship Indicators 2022
View the results of our nationally representative survey into the state of relationships in Australia.
Strengthening relationships and social connections
Read our 3 new reports as part of our project with the Centre for Community Child Health.