Improve statewide family violence data collection and research

Implemented

Who is leading the change

Department of Premier and Cabinet

The Victorian Government work with the recommended Family Violence Agency and the Crime Statistics Agency to improve statewide family violence data collection and research, including through:

setting a strategic direction and addressing recurrent data gaps
developing a statewide data framework, informed by relevant Commonwealth standards—for example, relevant Australian Bureau of Statistics frameworks such as the National Data Collection and Reporting Framework guidelines and ANROWS (Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety) guidance. This should include shared data definitions and performance indicators, guidelines on the collection of demographic information—in particular, on older people, people with disabilities and people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities—and shared best-practice and auditing standards and procedures to foster consistency and quality among Victorian data sets
exploring opportunities for data linkage between existing data sets and other enhancements to increase the relevance and accessibility of existing data
holding regular stakeholder meetings to review the function and quality of the Victorian Family Violence Database

To improve data collection across the family violence response, the Crime Statistics Agency has developed a Victorian Family Violence Data Collection Framework (the Data Collection Framework) for use across government and by collaborating agencies.

The Data Collection Framework will standardise the collection and output of family violence information and includes:
- a common set of agreed data definitions and standards
- a common set of recording practices for collecting demographic information across agencies who capture family violence data
- a set of performance indicators
It has a specific focus on the improvement of data collection in relation to:
- older people
- people with disabilities
- Aboriginal people
- people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse and intersex people
Where possible, the definitions and standards in the framework will align with national standards and classifications so that data can be compared.

In delivering the Data Collection Framework, an evaluation of Victoria's current family violence data holdings and data gaps will also be conducted. This evaluation will provide the required information to be able to set the strategic direction for addressing gaps and improving family violence data collection.

Developing the Data Collection Framework will form the basis for completing Recommendations 152 and 170.

Consultation with the Victorian Centre for Data Insights (the Centre) is underway to enable better data linkage and analysis across the government. The Centre will work with data from across government on cross-cutting policy issues, such as family violence. This will provide better opportunities for using data and analytics to inform policy and service design.

The Crime Statistics Agency is also conducting a project to review and redevelop the Victorian Family Violence Database to ensure it is meeting user needs now and into the future.
To improve the statewide family violence data collection and research, the Framework was commissioned by the Department of Premier and Cabinet and developed by the Crime Statistics Agency following an extensive engagement process with key stakeholders across government, advocacy groups and peak bodies.
- Alongside the Family Violence Outcomes Framework, the Data Collection Framework is intended to guide the family violence service system, including government departments, providers and agencies, to adopt consistent approaches to collecting information on family violence and core demographic details, making information more useful. It includes a common set of family violence and demographic data items, definitions and standards, and advice on recording practices for collecting demographic information. This will support systems-level decision making, policy development, planning and research and evaluation activities.
- The Data Collection Framework will be used to improve data collection on people with disabilities by informing data collection system improvements and updates due to occur in an incremental roll-out.
- The Department of Premier and Cabinet and Family Safety Victoria have aligned the Data Collection Framework with the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (MARAM) and have developed guidance for departments in their role as data custodians, and owners of data collection and information technology systems. The guidance outlines the relationship between the Data Collection Framework and the MARAM, helps departments to understand their legislated obligations under the MARAM and describes the mutually reinforcing nature of the Data Collection Framework and the MARAM in building the evidence base on family violence.
- The Data Collection Framework was published on the Victorian government family violence website in December 2019 and can be accessed here.
- DPC is working with departments and agencies across government to support consistent and coordinated implementation of these reforms. An implementation plan is being developed to inform the delivery of the Data Collection Framework. This will include consideration of how the Data Collection Framework and the MARAM can best work together to help build the evidence base on family violence.

Updated 18 May 2020