Beyond co-occurrence: Addressing the intersections of domestic violence, mental health, and substance misuse

Abstract

This study examines the intersections of domestic violence, mental health issues, and substance misuse in child protection and family service systems. Conducted in Australia as part of The STACY Project: Safe and Together Addressing ComplexitY, the research combines thematic analysis of 28 Community of Practice (CoP) meetings with semi-structured interviews with 28 frontline workers from government and non-government organisations. Findings indicate that child protection, mental health, and substance use services often operate in siloed ways, contributing to 'domestic violence blind' practice. However, introducing a shared framework for cross-sector collaboration helps professionals generate more holistic and survivor-centred responses. The research underscores the importance of practitioner capacity-building to ensure domestic violence remains visible when working with families experiencing complex, intersecting issues.