The following are excerpts from recent research related to justice and law enforcement and reflect the views and opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the organizations for which they work. To access the full reports, please visit the website links at the bottom of each summary.
Compiled by Katherine Aldred
Same-sex intimate partner homicide in Australia
Alexandra Gannoni and Tracy Cussen
According to the most recent National Homicide Monitoring Program (NHMP) annual report, there have been more than 6,200 homicides in Australia since data collection began in 1989–90, with one in every four cases involving the death of a victim killed by his or her intimate partner.
Of these, the vast majority (approximately 98 per cent) involved partners from opposite-sex relationships, while a small proportion (approximately two per cent) involved partners from same-sex relationships. Same-sex intimate partner homicides are generally aggregated with all other intimate partner homicides for the purpose of broad descriptive analysis of the NHMP database.
Comparatively little international research has been conducted exploring the nature and context of same-sex intimate partner homicides and no research has specifically examined same-sex intimate partner homicides in Australia.
In an attempt to address this gap and to contribute new knowledge to the study of homicide in general, this paper describes the key characteristics of same-sex intimate partner homicide in Australia as recorded in the NHMP and draws together national and international research concerning its associated factors.
Analysis of the NHMP data showed that same-sex intimate partner homicides represented only two per cent of all intimate partner homicides in Australia from 1989–90 to 2009–10 and in many respects, both same-sex and opposite-sex intimate partner homicides shared many similar features and characteristics.
For example, same-sex intimate partner homicide victims died from many of the same causes as opposite-sex intimate partner homicide victims, including stab wounds, beatings, drownings and strangulations. Likewise, key motives (or reasons) for both same-sex and opposite-sex intimate partner homicide incidents included domestic arguments, jealousy and relationship terminations.
Where differences were identified, some tended to reflect gender norms rather than relationship type. For instance, males were overrepresented as offenders in the intimate partner homicides regardless of the homicide type (same-sex or opposite-sex intimate partner homicide). There was also a slightly higher prevalence of mental disorders and a higher level of drug use among same-sex intimate partner homicides, although these differences may only be apparent as a result of the very small number of same-sex intimate partner homicide cases that were able to be identified.
Other differences, however, point to the need for a more nuanced approach to violence prevention among same-sex attracted persons. While drug and alcohol misuse, mental disorders and intimate partner violence are associated with both forms of intimate partner homicide, the wider literature suggests that sexual stigma, discrimination and marginalization may be associated with an increased risk of such issues among same-sex attracted persons.
It's important that homicide investigators, practitioners and researchers improve strategies and data collection instruments to increase the likelihood of identifying and addressing relationship nuances. By improving response and prevention strategies, same-sex intimate partner homicide incidents can be prevented and the overall rate of homicide can be reduced.
To access the full report, please visit www.aic.gov.au.
Teen dating violence: How peers can affect risk and protective factors
Barbara Oudekerk, Dara Blachman-Demner and Carrie Mulford
Compared to childhood, adolescence is a period marked by significant changes in the nature and importance of interpersonal relationships. Relationships with friends become more autonomous and central to personal wellbeing and, for the first time, many youth become involved in romantic relationships.
Although the initiation of romantic relationships is a positive and healthy experience for many youth, it's a source of violence and abuse for others. Approximately nine per cent of high school students report being hit, slapped or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year. Teen dating violence rates appear to be even higher among certain populations, such as youth who have history or exposure to violence.
This Research in Brief looks at the research from the perspective of one key emerging theme: peers and the contexts in which peers interact can contribute to their risk for and protection against dating violence.
Peer roles in teen dating violence
Teens' peers have the potential to considerably shape their dating experiences. Teens spend most of their days in school with peers and, in their free time, spend proportionally more time with peers than with parents or any other adults.
The desire to fit in and be liked by peers heightens in adolescence, and teens begin to rely on peers as a primary source of support and guidance. In addition, peer groups often set norms and offer social rewards for dating. As such, peers are likely to have a significant impact on teens' decisions about whether to date, whom to date, and when to break up with romantic partners.
Of particular interest to service providers is that the presence of peers might instigate, elevate or reduce the likelihood of teen dating violence, depending on the situation. For example, if a girl hits a boy in front of his friends, the boy might feel pressure to "save face" and hit her in return. On the other hand, if peers are present when a couple is arguing, the peers might help defuse the situation and prevent the argument from escalating to violence — or peers who witness or hear about violence occurring also might seek help from an adult.
Peers as first responders
It's difficult to determine how many teens seek help after violence occurs because researchers often ask different questions about help-seeking and dating abuse. Regardless, one clear message has emerged: many teens do not seek help from anyone after violence has occurred, and those who do seek help most frequently turn to a friend.
Given the importance of peers during adolescence, it's critical to identify important areas for future research. Only through strategically smart research and evaluation can we learn how to prevent and intervene in violent teen romantic relationships and how to promote positive outcomes in romantic relationships.
To access the full report, please visit www.nij.gov.
Spirit — Girls identifying real life solutions
Spirit — Girls Identifying Real Life Solutions is an innovative school-based prevention program for girls from Grades 7 to 9 at risk of delinquency and contact with the criminal justice system. Public Safety Canada's National Crime Prevention Centre (NCPC) provided funding for the implementation of Spirit from September 2008 to August 2011.
The project was implemented by Calgary Family Services in partnership with schools and community partners. Spirit was delivered in four Calgary, Alta, junior high schools and assisted 246 girls, aged 11 to 15 years, who had limited resources, difficult personal issues and experienced a high number of risk factors.
The overarching goals of the Spirit project were to increase the participants' resiliency so they were less likely to enter or continue risky, negative or criminal behaviours; and help the participants connect or re-connect with their schools, communities, peers, families and positive role models.
Key elements of the program
Each cohort of participants was part of the program for 30 months, starting in the winter session of Grade 7 (January) and finishing at the end of Grade 9.
The core elements of the programs included the following:
- education and information sessions to increase participants' knowledge of issues and resources related to healthy lifestyles and reduction of risky behaviours
- recreation and volunteer opportunities to demonstrate and practise healthy life skills, improve relationships with peers, increase or maintain involvement in positive activities and increase participants' awareness of leisure opportunities and resources
- mentorship with female role models to increase involvement with positive peer groups, enhance self-esteem and improve school performance
- family support to develop mutually supportive relationships, reduce conflicts and encourage family stability and security
- individual and outreach support and counselling
Results
Overall, Spirit participants were positively impacted by the program. Eighty-four per cent of participants graduating from the program had resiliency and developmental strength scores in the "resilient" or "very resilient" range. Thirty-eight per cent had increased their developmental strengths from their baseline scores, and 29 per cent of clients previously considered vulnerable had moved into the resilient category.
External resiliency outcomes showed that participants improved their peer and family relationships, their ability to stay in school, and their ability to avoid risky behaviours. During program duration, none of the participants experienced an early pregnancy, nor had any new criminal charges leading to conviction.
Ninety-one per cent of Spirit girls increased their knowledge scores on key topics such as healthy lifestyles, positive sexuality and peer relationships, staying out of trouble with the law, and the effects of substance use/abuse.
The Spirit pilot project demonstrated the value and benefit of the program for the Calgary participants. This gender specific, school-based approach focused on girls in early adolescence could be replicated in other schools and communities.
To access the full report, please visit www.publicsafety.gc.ca.