Implications

Defining and conceptualising early intervention

Early intervention is defined and conceptualised in various ways, depending on the context in which it is applied or implemented. However, most definitions contain three key elements that should guide the design, development and delivery of early intervention work. These are:

1. Focus on people at greatest risk of experiencing or perpetrating violence.
2. Address known risk and protective factors.
3. Intervene at the earliest stage possible.

For the purpose of determining the scope of early intervention activities for Respect Ballarat, it is likely to be useful to prioritise programs and interventions that address risk and protective factors for gendered violence and/or address the early signs of violence before violence occurs (i.e. problematic or harmful behaviours). This approach aligns with primary prevention models that combine universal interventions with targeted (selective) interventions that address risk and protective factors across the whole socio-ecological model. It will also enable early intervention to be delivered at greater scale in Ballarat, by combining population-wide primary prevention interventions that target community-level and setting-specific risk and protective factors, with more targeted interventions that focus on communities and cohorts at higher risk.  

Children and young people, particularly young men and boys should be prioritised in early intervention programs and activities. Evidence reviewed as part of this report indicates that work with them provides the greatest opportunities to address potential risk factors related to gendered violence and to address those risks as early as possible. Early intervention strategies should be incorporated into existing settings-based prevention programs and activities, particularly in settings that engage and support children and young people. This could include building on the statewide respectful relationships program, sexual consent education programs in schools and other education settings, and prevention initiatives already being delivered in sports settings across Victoria.

Understanding and addressing risk factors for gendered violence

The centrality of risk in almost all definitions of early intervention makes clear that early intervention work requires a nuanced understanding of the various risk (and protective) factors for gendered violence (both perpetration and victimisation), the contexts in which these risks occur or may occur, and strategies that are likely to be effective in addressing and/or reducing these risk factors.

While early intervention work often focuses on addressing individual-level risk factors, it is important to identify and address family-, community- and societal-level risk factors, given individual risks are influenced and compounded by the contexts and environments in which people live. The Respect Ballarat initiative should incorporate mutually reinforcing early intervention activities that address community-level and setting-specific risk factors, including setting-wide initiatives and programs and interventions tailored to specific communities and cohorts (5, 11).

Designing and implementing early intervention activities

Unlike primary prevention, early intervention has not developed as a specific discipline of field of practice within violence prevention work, and it is not defined by a fixed set of strategies or interventions. Rather, early intervention is determined by the timing or point at which an intervention is implemented to disrupt pathways to violence (victimisation and perpetration), be that by addressing the risks or early signs of violence, or to prevent/minimise recurrence or escalation.  

As highlighted in this review, early intervention utilises a broad range of interventions and strategies, across a range of settings, including schools, universities, sports clubs, community organisations and universal services (i.e. health, child and family, justice). Many of the programs and strategies used in early intervention work are similar to, and/or overlap with, those used in primary prevention – what distinguishes them is the timing of the intervention, their target groups/cohorts and their intended outcomes. For this reason, putting boundaries around what constitutes primary prevention and early intervention and/or separating interventions into mutually exclusive categories is generally not useful or practical. This is particularly so in contexts and communities with a higher risk profile, given universal primary prevention activities are likely to reach and/or involve more people who are already at increased risk of experiencing or using violence.  

The Respect Ballarat initiative should adopt an integrated prevention approach that incorporates primary and secondary prevention (early intervention) components, recognising that some universal interventions will have a dual benefit and impact. Determining the appropriate mix and type of interventions should be informed by an assessment of the local risk profile, local needs and perspectives, and a clear theory of change (31, 42) that articulates relevant risk and protective factors, the intended target audiences and intended outcomes of the interventions. 

The risk (and protective) factors for gendered violence are well documented and supported by evidence, including in several prevention frameworks and technical guides (4, 5, 11, 12), and Victoria’s Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework (56). These frameworks should be utilised to inform a general understanding of the risk and protective factors for gendered violence, together with evidence on the place-specific and context-specific risk factors for Ballarat.