I-DECIDE: Trial of an online healthy relationship tool and safety decision aid for women experiencing domestic violence
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Project Leader
Professor Kelsey Hegarty+61 3 8344 4992
Project Details
Domestic violence is a major problem in Australia. It causes considerable harm to individuals, their families, children and wider society, and has an estimated annual cost of $13.2 billion to the health care system.
The pathway to safety for abused women can be long and complex, but women experiencing domestic violence are often reluctant to disclose or seek help in person.
The I-DECIDE project aims to address this issue by developing and evaluating an online healthy relationship tool and safety decision aid for women experiencing domestic violence (www.idecide.org.au). The website is a safe, private, space for women to self-inform, self-reflect and self-manage. Women can assess their relationship, weigh up their priorities, and plan for a safer future. I-DECIDE comprises: self-reflection exercises, priority-setting exercises, problem-solving tools, safety assessments, and an individualised action planning process tailored to each woman’s particular circumstances.
I-DECIDE is currently being evaluated through a randomised controlled trial that is due to be completed in 2016.
Researchers
A/Prof Laura Tarzia, Deputy Head of Abuse and Violence research unit
Professor Cathy Humphreys (Social Work)
Ms Kirsty Forsdike-Young
Ms Kitty Novy
Collaborators
Professor Angela Taft, La Trobe University
Associate Professor Lisa Gold, Deakin University
Professor Nancy Glass, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore USA
Professor Elizabeth Murray, University College London, UK
Berry Street Services
Drummond St Services
Domestic Violence Resource Centre VIC
Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre
Funding
Australian Research Council Discovery Project (DP130102799)