Ms Emily Webb, Dr Matt Frize
1Forensic Disability Services, Australia
Biography:
Tristan has a background in Health Science, a Master’s in Data Analytics, and a Specialist Certificate in Forensic Disability. Tristan has had a range of roles across Forensic Disability Services, in residential, clinical, stakeholder engagement, and management appointments. Tristan currently oversees service data and performance while leading intake coordination for Forensic Disability Clinical Services. Tristan is a co-author of the Therapeutic Feedback Model and the designer of its data collection and reporting application. This diverse professional trajectory has afforded Tristan comprehensive perspective on the structure, function, and recent evolution of forensic disability service delivery in Victoria.
Alejandro Avendano-Jones (M.Prof.Psych, MFMH) is the Manager of Service and Practice Development at Forensic Disability Services (DFFH) in Victoria. He is a registered psychologist with postgraduate qualifications in Forensic Mental Health and Professional Psychology. Alejandro leads initiatives that enhance service quality, clinical governance, and evidence-based practice across disability, justice, and mental health sectors. He works closely with government departments, clinical teams, and justice stakeholders to strengthen responses to individuals with complex needs and promote safer, more inclusive and accountable systems. Alejandro is committed to advancing ethical practice, workforce capability, and policy development to improve outcomes for people with intellectual disability and intersecting vulnerabilities.
Abstract:
Family violence is a serious multidimensional social and public health issue that is prevalent across the community that requires systemic, evidence-informed responses. While public discourse often calls for harsher penalties and early intervention, services that work with perpetrators, particularly those with complex needs, face challenges balancing accountability with appropriate support (Devaney, Lazenbatt and Mahon, 2016; Victoria State Government, 2023). Victoria’s Forensic Disability Services (FDS), has identified increasing pressure to respond to family violence among people with cognitive disability and complex needs. Yet there remains limited understanding of how family violence manifests within this cohort and how to respond in ways that are effective and appropriate.
This presentation offers a preliminary examination of family violence offending within the Victorian forensic disability context, alongside case studies exploring the implementation of a clinical practice guide to assess and treat family violence offending. Drawing on routine service data, the prevalence of family violence-related offences and associations with cognitive disability, co-occurring mental health conditions, and broader offence histories is explored. Quantitative and qualitative analysis identifies key trends to inform targeted and effective responses for deeper understanding of family violence perpetration and potential implications for service planning, clinical practice and policy. This work aims to promote holistic, client-centred responses that account for systemic barriers aligning with broader reform priorities across the Victorian justice and human service sectors, while contributing to a growing evidence-base of disability-aware practice.