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‘The Hidden Victims’–Family Violence in Kinship Care in Victoria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2018

Rachel Breman ,
Ann MacRae  and
Dave Vicary
Rachel Breman*
Affiliation:
Head of Research Policy and Advocacy, Baptcare Level 1, 1193 Toorak Road Camberwell, 3124 Victoria, Australia
Ann MacRae
Affiliation:
Senior Researcher, Family and Community Services, Baptcare Level 1, 1193 Toorak Road Camberwell, 3124 Victoria, Australia
Dave Vicary
Affiliation:
State Manager, Baptcare Family and Community Services, Victoria and Tasmania 3/131 Harvester Rd, Sunshine, 3020 Victoria, Australia; Adjunct Professor, School of Psychology, Deakin University
*
address for correspondence: Rachel Breman, Head of Research Policy and Advocacy Baptcare Level 1, 1193 Toorak Road, Camberwell 3124, Victoria. E-mail: rbreman@baptcare.org.au.
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Abstract

Family violence is endemic. It has a dramatic and negative impact upon the victims and the family systems in which it occurs. While there is a growing evidence base to support our understanding, prevention and treatment of family violence, little is known about some of its “hidden victims” (e.g., kinship carers). In 2017, Baptcare commenced research with 101 kinship carers in Victoria to gain a better understanding of how family violence, perpetrated by the child's close family member once the placement started, was impacting on children and families. In this context, family violence means any act of physical violence, emotional/psychological violence, verbal abuse and property damage. The study utilised a mixed design methodology that specifically targeted kinship carers who had direct experience of family violence. Findings from this study demonstrated that (1) many kinship carers, and the children in their care, experienced family violence early in the placement, (2) that the violence occurred frequently and (3) the incidents of violence did not occur in isolation. Carers sought support from multiple sources to deal with the family violence, however, the study illustrated that the usefulness of these supports varied. Additionally, findings highlighted reasons why many kinship carers felt reluctant to file a report to end the violence. The study described in this paper is the first step in understanding and exposing this multifaceted issue and delineates some of the major issues confronting Victorian kinship carers experiencing family violence – and the support required to ensure the safety of them and the children they care for. This paper will describe the approach that Baptcare is taking to address family violence in kinship care in western metropolitan Melbourne. This is the second paper in a three-part series relating to family violence in kinship care.

Keywords

out-of-home carekinship carefoster careviolencefamily violence
Type
Articles
Information
Children Australia , Volume 43 , Issue 3 , September 2018 , pp. 186 - 191
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2018 

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