Weathering the storm: Australia's responses to domestic and family violence during the COVID-19 pandemic

International experiences, and known risk factors for domestic and family violence, indicate that an increase in the prevalence and severity of violence is a likely direct effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. How are Australian front line services and government agencies responding? What successes have been achieved in mitigating these risks, and what are the lessons that can be learnt? This project aims to investigate the short-term impact of the pandemic, and policy responses to the pandemic, on domestic and family violence in Australia. It will provide critical new knowledge for communities and scholarship on: • the extent to which, and in what circumstances, anticipated escalations in violence occurred, and those in which escalations were prevented • innovative, effective strategies used by support services to protect both families and the domestic and family violence workforce • implications for long-term policy responses to domestic and family violence. The research design ensures that early lessons for policy and practice will be generated and disseminated widely to stakeholders and the research community for immediate impact. The findings and design also provide a basis for more sustained research programs on one of the most significant challenges to social policy in generations.