ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4064-8931
Current Organisation
Deakin University
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Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 14-09-2023
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 28-09-2023
DOI: 10.1177/15248380211046752
Abstract: Women are increasingly at risk of gender-based violence through technology and digital tools. Some digital devices and apps such as GPS location tracking, spyware, mobile phones and social media platforms have become new tools for perpetrators to monitor, harass and abuse victims. However, the nature and impacts of technology on intimate partner violence (IPV) have remained perplexing and ambiguous. Hence, this scoping review was conducted to explore the nature, patterns and consequences of technology-facilitated domestic abuse (TFDA). All journal articles and grey literature exploring the TFDA phenomenon, its nature and impacts on victims and services providers were scanned, and twenty-two papers were included in this scoping review. Overall, findings showed that digital devices, online applications and social media accounts facilitated IPV and exacerbated the consequences of abuse. Yet, many victims and frontline workers found understanding the nature and impacts of TFDA difficult. They faced many challenges addressing this form of abuse. Thus, several strategies are needed to adequately tackle TFDA, including conducting further research on the issue, developing appropriate policy and addressing gender inequality in the online environment.
Publisher: Bristol University Press
Date: 08-2022
DOI: 10.1332/204986021X16553760671786
Abstract: The Australian social work accrediting body has set ersity as an agenda for education and practice. Universities and the social work field have also attempted to adhere to principles of ersity. However, despite progressive approaches and improvement, ersity has been challenged by the whiteness of Australian social work and the neoliberal agenda across both workplaces and universities. The dominant narrative of Australian social work still reflects Western values, power and privileges. This article argues that embracing ersity in social work education needs the ongoing adoption of critical pedagogy, including critical theories, and maintaining inclusiveness for erse students. Social work practice settings also need progressive approaches to include erse groups of marginalised people, a commitment to ersity and support for social workers to develop cultural competency and humility. Transnational relationships within different countries and nations can help social work move from ethnocentrism to multiculturalism.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 06-04-2023
DOI: 10.1177/14680173231165926
Abstract: Social workers are increasingly using digital technology and online platforms in service delivery, with many services having moved online in 2020 following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic literature review was conducted to synthesize research on the benefits and uncertainties of technology-mediated social work practice. Relevant keywords were searched in the following databases, Scopus, EbscoHost, SocINDEX, and Google Scholar. A total of 28 articles were included in this review, and their findings were synthesized thematically. The review revealed several benefits of using digital tools and online platforms, including providing services to the larger population and making social work more available and accessible. However, while technology was widely employed in social work practice, there were some uncertainties about the impacts of technology on practice, maintaining professional boundaries, and concerns over privacy and confidentiality. There is a need for further support for social workers to access flexible, efficient, and creative tools to maintain the quality of service delivery. The interdisciplinary collaboration between social work bodies and organizations with technology developers will improve technology-mediated social work practice to be aligned with professional principles, ethics, and values.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 14-05-2018
DOI: 10.1108/IJHRH-09-2017-0044
Abstract: There is an increasing recognition that health and social care professionals require the knowledge and skills to negotiate religious beliefs and cultures but as yet there is little understanding as to what this entails. The purpose of this paper is to explore what religious literacy means in regard to protecting children from sexual assault in Australia’s Jewish community and Muslim women who experience domestic violence. Drawing on two ongoing research studies, this paper provides an overview of the erse perspectives found in the literature on child sexual assault in Jewish communities and Muslim women’s experiences and responses to domestic violence. In idual and community attitudes and responses to child sexual assault and domestic violence do not fit stereotypes either within or beyond religious communities. Hence, educating for religious literacy needs to ensure stereotypes are recognised as undue simplifications of the truth, and failure to understand this can result in harm. Furthermore, religious literacy is important for health and social care workers if they are to effectively engage with the leadership of religious communities to change community attitudes. This paper draws together common issues around the need for religious literacy when working with Jewish and Muslim communities in addressing issues of abuse and violence.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 12-03-2023
DOI: 10.1177/14733250221076730
Abstract: Gender roles and gender stereotypes are culturally and socially constructed. Previous studies suggested that the Afghan community is a male-dominated and conservative society, where men are more visible in social activities, and women remain responsible mainly for household tasks. This research aimed to show Afghan women’ perceptions of gender roles and the possibilities for and barriers in Australian society to change those roles after their settlement in Australia. The study involved semi-structured interviews with 21 Afghan women who had been living in Australia between 6 months and 10 years. The interviews were conducted face to face or by telephone, in either Farsi (Persian) or English. An inductive thematic analysis was used to explore the data and build themes. Afghan women were aware of gender roles, patriarchy, and gender inequality, and they hoped to address those issues now as they live in a society that offers more freedom to women. Moving to Australia had enhanced women’s possibilities, self-confidence and skills and inspired many to go beyond traditional stereotypes and seek out options previously denied to them on the basis of their gender. However, their attempts at realising gender equality often met with the disapproval of their family or the wider Afghan community.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-12-2023
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-11-2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 04-12-2021
DOI: 10.1093/BJSW/BCAA143
Abstract: The voice of Afghan women has been little heard, particularly in Australia and other western societies, despite the considerable number living in those societies. The main aim of this study was to understand Afghan women’s experiences of domestic violence and their perceptions about the extent of domestic violence among the Afghan community in Australia. The study involved semi-structured interviews with twenty-one Afghan women who had been living in Australia between six months and ten years. The interviews were conducted in either Farsi (Persian) or English according to participant’s preferences. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive analysis of the data was used to explore details and build main themes. Some women spoke about their experiences of domestic violence, mainly psychological and emotional violence. Although women insisted that domestic violence was prevalent and widespread in both contexts, many remarked that Afghan women were less vulnerable to physical violence in Australia than in Afghanistan. This article concludes with a number of implications for social work practice based on the study findings.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 03-2021
Abstract: COVID-19 pandemic intensified feelings of uncertainty about the future. Although uncertainty is not a new phenomenon for social workers, the uncertainty that has been produced due to COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented. Hence, there is a further requirement for the integration of uncertainty in social work education and practice. Social work education should play a pivotal part in articulating and developing knowledge to respond to uncertain circumstances. Therefore, social work educators should be prepared to include uncertainty in curriculum development and pedagogical approaches. Also, collective actions should be central in social work efforts to face uncertainty and disruptions that target the most vulnerable people and populations.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 30-08-2021
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 18-06-2018
Abstract: Women from different backgrounds and cultures are at risk of domestic violence. Disclosing the abusive experience and seeking help is not straightforward and easy and might be a complicated and long-term process. Muslim women, like other groups of women, may face various barriers to disclose abusive relationships and for seeking help. Some of the barriers may be common for the majority of Muslim women in different contexts, while others might be related to women’s situations and the wider society they live. To identify these barriers and make recommendations for future studies, this article reviews related papers conducted in both Muslim-majority and non-Muslim-majority countries. A critical systematic review of the literature was conducted for identifying Muslim women’s barriers in disclosing abuse and seeking help. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. The main identified barriers are discussed into under four themes: social context, family context, in idual factors, and expectations of service providers. Although the researchers tried to investigate various barriers in seeking help, many of them have not focused on structural obstacles. Besides, in many Muslim-majority countries, the issue has not been explored. Therefore, the results of the current article will not apply to those countries. Recommendation for future research comprises more qualitative research compatible with the women’s cultures and backgrounds in different societies, focusing more on structural and cultural factors to explore and find women’s barriers to seek help.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-03-2023
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 07-11-2022
DOI: 10.1177/10497323221138027
Abstract: LGBTQ+ people are no stranger to loss and grief, particularly during times of pandemic such as the 1980s–90s HIV/AIDS pandemic and now, the COVID-19 pandemic. Current COVID-19 loss and grief research remains relatively silent on LGBTQ+ peoples’ loss and grief experiences. The aim of this research was to conduct a qualitative evidence synthesis of LGBTQ+ people’s COVID-19 loss and grief experiences reported in the literature. A systematic search and inclusion strategy identified 22 relevant articles for review. Inductive thematic synthesis resulted in five loss-focused themes across the articles: (1) loss of work and livelihood, (2) loss of social and kinship connection, (3) loss of LGBTQ+ community connection, (4) loss of physical and mental health supports and (5) loss of LGBTQ+ identity authenticity, affirmation and visibility. Discussion of these themes highlights the many layered and often disenfranchised nature of LGBTQ+ people’s loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 20-01-2021
Abstract: Women’s perceptions of domestic violence vary across societies and cultures and might change by moving to a new society. This study aims to explore newly arrived Afghan women’s understandings and perceptions of domestic violence and whether they perceive this as acceptable. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 newly arrived Afghan women in Australia. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed inductively to generate and organize themes. The findings showed that informants had a sound knowledge and understanding of domestic violence, and many of them identified various forms of violence. Also, informants strongly rejected that violence against women be considered normal or acceptable.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-02-2023
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-023-15289-4
Abstract: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Queer, and people of any other minority sexuality or gender identity (LGBTQ + or “Queer”) are often marginalised from accessing quality primary healthcare (PHC) in their local community. This is largely due to Queerphobic, cis-heteronormative/sexist systems pathologising Queer life and identities. The study aims were to: (1) identify key priorities for increasing Queer people’s access to quality PHC as told by Queer people themselves, (2) identify the feedback loops that reduce or support Queer people’s access to quality PHC in non-metropolitan, regional/rural communities, and (3) identify potential action areas to improve system structures to increase Queer people’s access to quality PHC. Group Model Building (GMB) workshops were held with a small group ( n = 8) of LGBTQ + people in regional Victoria with lived experience of using PHC services. This participatory approach permits exploration and visual mapping of local structures causing behaviour patterns of community concern over time – in this case, Queer people’s ability to access quality PHC in the Geelong-Barwon region. This is the first study that specially applies GMB in Queer PHC in the non-metropolitan regional/rural context. Key community identified PHC priorities were: (a) providers’ level of Queer Literacy, (b) the responsibility of Queer Advocacy (at in idual, systemic, and collective levels), (c) support from safe Queer Spaces, (d) strength from a Queer Presence, and (e) power from Intersectional Queer Life. These priorities interconnected, creating system-level feedback loops reinforcing barriers and enablers to Queer people’s access to quality PHC in the Geelong-Barwon region with potential action areas identified. Improving Queer people’s access to quality PHC in the Geelong-Barwon region requires embedding principles of Queer Literacy, Queer Advocacy, Queer Space, Queer Presence, and Intersectional Queer Life within practices and service systems. The study findings were distilled into a novel, preliminary set of Queer Equity Principles. These need to be taken back to regional Queer communities for further co-design and planning for translation across PHC practices and systems, with potential applicability in other areas of the healthcare spectrum.
No related grants have been discovered for Rojan Afrouz.