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Deakin Recovery and Healing from Violence Lab
Fostering a safer society through evidence-based prevention, intervention and recovery programs
How our research addresses gender-based violence
The Deakin Recovery and Healing from Violence Lab examines individual, relational and systemic factors that shape the prevention, intervention and recovery of gender-based violence. Using person-centred, participatory approaches, we generate evidence grounded in lived experience to inform policy, practice and service delivery. We advance evidence-based programs that prevent violence and support healing for both adults and children.
Our vision is to enable a society free of family, domestic and sexual violence.
Our impact
We reduce the effects of gender-based violence through evidence-driven research that informs both policy and practice. Our work combines rigorous methodologies with collaboration across sectors and lived experience.
Practice
We translate research into solutions by co-designing programs with practitioners and communities. Through interdisciplinary partnerships, we ensure interventions are practical, inclusive and effective.
Policy
Our evidence shapes policy at local and national levels. We contribute through membership in key committees and alliances, influencing frameworks that drive systemic change in preventing and responding to violence.
Research
We lead cutting-edge studies using qualitative and quantitative methods – such as meta-analyses, clinical trials, neurocognitive testing and systematic reviews – to build a robust evidence base for lasting impact.
Develop programs that help survivors heal and influence policy and practice
Interested in helping people living with the outcomes of gender-based violence? Prepare to inform policy and practice with a Deakin research degree.
Our mission is to transform policy and practice to reduce gender-based violence through evidence-based prevention, intervention and recovery frameworks
Lead, Deakin Recovery and Healing from Violence Lab
Our researchers
Deakin Recovery and Healing from Violence Lab brings together a team of researchers whose expertise spans multiple disciplines and research areas.
Associate Professor Lata Satyen focuses on prevention, intervention and recovery programs that address family, domestic and sexual violence. She specialises in developing culturally appropriate responses to violence in culturally diverse communities.
Professor John Toumbourou leads major longitudinal and international studies exploring healthy youth development. Research interests include the role of community, family and peer groups in adolescent health promotion.
Arjita Sharda is the Lab Coordinator is a psychologist in training and doctoral student, with research focused on holistic trauma-informed interventions and recovery and healing from domestic, family and/or sexual violence.
Featured projects
We lead research projects that support recovery from domestic, family and sexual violence through trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches.
Culturally responsive family violence services in regional Victoria
Women from multicultural communities in regional Victoria face a higher risk of family violence. Experiences of racism, language barriers, social isolation and limited access to culturally appropriate support are compounded in regional settings. The goal of this project is to inform the development of a practice framework to guide more effective, culturally responsive, family violence services in regional areas.
An evaluation of the Beyond DV recovery pillars framework
Beyond DV is a Brisbane-based organisation, focused on prevention, recovery and healing after domestic abuse. This project evaluates the Beyond DV Recovery Pillars Framework through a triangulation of data from surveys and focus groups and interviews with victim-survivors and practitioners. This evaluation finds the framework is effective because it provides support focused on survivors’ needs for as long as required.
Our recent work
Our research informs policy and practice through reports, books, and peer-reviewed publications, reinforcing our commitment to advancing knowledge and driving positive change.
A global study into Indian women’s experiences of domestic violence and control: the role of patriarchal beliefs, 2024, Satyen, L., Bourke-Ibbs, M., & Rowland, B.
Influence of Cultural Norms on Formal Service Engagement among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Meta-synthesis, 2024, Green, J., Satyen, L., & Toumbourou, J.W.
The Beyond DV Recovery Pillars Framework: Its impact on the recovery and healing of victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence, 2025, Satyen, L., Sharda, A., & Robinson, C.
Intimate partner and family violence against women tertiary students in Australia: Prevalence and cross-cultural differences, 2022, Zark, L., Toumbourou, J., & Satyen, L.
The Royal Commission into Family Violence: Trends in reporting and help-seeking behaviour, 2020, Satyen, L., Toumbourou, J.W., Heerde, J., Supol, M., & Ranganathan, A.
An Evaluation of Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Programs for LGBTQ+ Communities, ACON Ltd.
Successful and Family-Oriented, Enculturated Responses for New and Emerging Multicultural Communities in Regional Victoria, Family Safety Victoria, State Government of Victoria
National Roundtable on Healing and Recovery from Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Report, Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission and the Australian Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Recovery Alliance
Our partners
Our researchers work closely with support organisations and government departments across Australia.
- Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Australia
- Victorian Department of Families Fairness and Housing
- Department of Justice and Attorney General, Queensland
- Meli Community
- Australian Research Council
- Australian Institute of Family Studies
- Peer Support Australia
- Barwon Child, Youth and Family
- GenWest
- Gippsland Health Network Limited
- Centre for Women’s Safety and Wellbeing, Western Australia
- ACON Health Limited
- Beyond DV Ltd
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- National Institutes of Health
- Ramsay Clinic Thirroul
- The Zahra Foundation
- Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre
- University of Melbourne
- Monash University
- St. Vincent’s Hospital
- Victoria Police
- Wyndham City Council
- Greater Charitable Foundation
- Uniting (Victoria and Tasmania) Limited
Domestic and family violence support
Further assistance for family, domestic or sexual violence is available through these services:
- If you are in immediate danger, call 000 for police and ambulance help.
- Call 1800RESPECT, a 24/7 national counselling and support for family, domestic and sexual violence.
Contact us
Email the Deakin Recovery and Healing from Violence Lab team
