INVEST: INternational students’ sexual and intimate partner Violence Experiences STudy
Project Lead
Laura Tarzia
Funding
Australian Research Council (ARC) through a Discovery Project Grant.
Research team
Laura Tarzia - University of Melbourne and Safer Families Centre
Helen Forbes‐Mewett and Marie Segrave - Monash University
Ly Tran - Deakin University
Adele Murdolo - Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health
Project partners
Immigrant Women’s Support Service QLD
Council of International Students
What’s the project about?
Unwanted sexual experiences and unhealthy relationships are common among university students, particularly young women. However, very little is known about the specific issues faced by female international students.
The INternational students’ sexual and intimate partner Violence Experiences STudy (INVEST) aims to find out more about the experiences of female international students and how they can be supported more effectively during their stay in Australia. As part of the project, we are undertaking a confidential national online survey of female international students to explore the nature, circumstances, and impacts of interpersonal violence. We are also engaging female international students with in‐depth interviews focused on their lived experiences of sexual or intimate partner violence and their help‐seeking experiences.
What can we expect to come out of this project?
This project will provide robust data around the nature, circumstances and impacts of sexual violence and intimate partner violence against female international students. At a national level we will gain important insights including how experiences of violence impact on students’ mental health; the particular types of violence that international students most commonly experience; and who is perpetrating this violence.
In addition to the survey, the in‐depth qualitative research will illuminate what the experience of sexual or intimate partner violence is like for female international students in Australia. It will also highlight how service responses helped or hindered them on their journey to healing and recovery.
Overall the project will produce culturally‐sensitive resources (e.g. fact‐sheets, digital stories) to support international students experiencing violence and to help service providers and universities respond more effectively.