Exploring Readiness for Change: Knowledge and Attitudes towards Family Violence among Community Members and Service Providers Engaged in Primary Prevention in Regional Australia

Monica Puccetti, Heath Greville, Margie Robinson, Daphne White, Lennelle Papertalk and Sandra C. Thompson
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Monica Puccetti: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia
Heath Greville: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia
Margie Robinson: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia
Daphne White: Desert Blue Connect, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia
Lennelle Papertalk: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia
Sandra C. Thompson: Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-13

Abstract: Community efforts at the primary prevention of family violence (FV) involve changing values, structures and norms that support gender inequality. This study examines the attitudes of a group of highly engaged community leaders and service providers involved in FV primary prevention in Geraldton, a small city in regional Western Australia. The outcomes of focus group discussions were mapped against a readiness for change model. Despite considerable involvement in discussions of FV prevention over time, the readiness level of these engaged community members for taking leadership roles in the prevention strategy were between pre-planning and preparation stages, although some individuals’ understanding of the drivers of FV and readiness for implementing change was higher. Key areas for further education are the role of gender inequality as the primary driver of FV, particularly rigid gender roles and men’s control of decision making, and the role of alcohol and drugs as reinforcers but not primary drivers of FV.

Keywords: family violence; intimate partner violence; domestic violence; violence against women; primary prevention; community attitudes; readiness for change; community development; gender equity; community education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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