Domestic Violence Risk Assessment in CALD Communities

We’ve just published a paper on how police can better assess the risk of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) within Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in Queensland.

A big thank-you to everyone who shared their experiences and insights — your voices made this research possible.

The Queensland Police Service is doing a lot of great work, but challenges remain. As one participant noted:
“...often it happens that police arrive and police listen to the perpetrator who has been speaking good English and often by listening to their side of the story. Police often don't explore the other side of the story.”

But solutions are not always straightforward — as another participant shared:
“…in [my community], male interpreters might know the perpetrator.”

These insights highlight the complexity of assessing DFV risk in CALD communities and the importance of effective police officers.

Read more quotes, findings, and recommendations in our full paper:
Kebbell, M. R., McPhedran, S., & Mealy, S. (2025). Domestic violence risk assessment in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Queensland, Australia: A qualitative study of community members’ perceptions and experiences. Violence Against Women. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012251384631

Prof Mark Kebbell