Extracting and analysing specialist DFV service data from the SHS Collection
A key part of our work to strengthen understanding of specialist DFV services involves secondary research and looking at existing datasets.
Significant amounts of data are collected and reported by specialist DFV services, often through systems that are disconnected, incomplete, or not designed specifically for this context.
The Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) Collection is one of the most significant national datasets on people seeking housing and related support, including people experiencing domestic and family violence. However, it does not distinguish specialist DFV services from other service types, limiting its usefulness for understanding specialist DFV service delivery.
Safety Measures is working with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), specialist DFV service providers and our advisory groups to extract, analyse and interpret specialist DFV service data held in the SHS Collection. Combining quantitative data analysis with sector perspectives, lived expertise and collective sense-making, this project aims to strengthen our understanding of who accesses specialist DFV services, why people seek support, and how existing administrative data can be used to inform policy, service design and system improvement.
Coming into view: Emerging insights from specialist DFV service data across jurisdictions
This is the first consolidated analysis of specialist domestic and family violence service data from the Northern Territory, South Australia and Victoria, providing a picture of who is seeking support, why they seek it, and the help they receive. But it also shows significant blind spots in what the current data can tell us. The first stage of analysis highlighted significant limitations in existing data collections, including challenges in measuring unmet demand, longer-term outcomes, and many aspects of specialist DFV practice that are not currently captured in homelessness-focused datasets.
Next stage: Enhancing the evidence base
Second data request currently in development
The next SHS data extract builds on the first stage of analysis and has two complementary aims.
First, to examine some of the data from different angles or at a more detailed levels, including analysis of differences across service and program types, and additional geographic analysis where possible.
Second, to investigate areas where the first extraction raised important questions but did not provide enough evidence to draw robust conclusions, including further exploration of children’s and young people’s experiences with DFV services, unpacking repeat engagement with services over time, and exploring pathways into and out of DFV support.
Through ongoing collaboration with AIHW and participating specialist DFV services, this next stage of work will continue to strengthen our understanding of specialist DFV service delivery.
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