Focus on breaking the cycle of violence pays off for research team
The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment has awarded an AUT research team $2.4 million in funding, for a pioneering project aimed at curbing family violence. The four year study will culminate in the release of a Healthy Relationships App for young people.
Research shows that experiencing healthy relationships during adolescence leads to greater wellbeing and healthier relationships in adulthood. Yet violence prevention efforts currently pay little attention to the formative stage of life when people begin having their first relationships.
“Most people’s early relationships are influenced by what they see at home, in the media and in their communities, and for some people these aren’t safe or healthy models to repeat,” says study lead Professor Jane Koziol-McLain. “Young people are telling us they want more information.”
Youth have also been clear about what they do not want, leading the team to tap into the ubiquity of technology and include young people, schools and communities in the project. The research team will work alongside a Youth Advisory Group to co-create the app.
In New Zealand, at least one in three women experience physical or sexual violence by a partner. Add to that psychological abuse and the rise of cyber bullying, and the need to do more to foster healthy relationships is clear.
“One of our hopes is that we’ll influence young men and women’s understanding of what makes a healthy relationship – what is mutual consent, what does choice look like and more. These are things everyone needs to know about,” says Professor Koziol-McLain.
For now, the team is looking forward to progressing key research stages of the project. This evidence base will inform development and testing of the app, and enable the team to create a tool that is ready for use and well placed to make a difference at the close of the four year project.
“We hope that by giving young people knowledge, skills and support, they can have healthier relationships and take that into adulthood, into parenting and that they will positively influence their communities,” says Professor Koziol-McLain.
“It’s about trying to interrupt the cycle of violence. It’s going to take a social change in attitudes towards violence, and we hope the app will contribute to that positive change.”