A Griffith University researcher is among the 11 awardees announced in the latest Australian Research Council Discovery Indigenous scheme, which is worth a combined funding total of $11 million.
Dr Jessica Harris, from Griffith Business School’s Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics was awarded $326,784 for her project, ‘Advancing Indigenous social marketing process and practices’.
Alongside fellow co-Chief Investigators Professor Sharyn Rundle-Thiele and Professor Patrick O’Leary, Dr Harris seeks to reduce the high rates of youth sexual violence and abuse in Indigenous populations, focusing on local needs and promoting shared responsibility and awareness.
The co-design findings will be translated into Indigenous pilot programs for positive outcomes in communities, such as better understanding of safe and respectful relationships.
“Youth sexual violence and abuse (YSVA) affects urban, regional and remote communities, with Indigenous youth disproportionately impacted,” Dr Harris said.
“This project aims to reduce YSVA rates in Indigenous populations, focusing on local needs and promoting shared responsibility and awareness. With a national child sexual abuse rate of 28.5%, this project addresses lifelong impacts.
“This project delivers three pilot tests in Toowoomba, experiencing high rates of YSVA, developed in response to co-designs offered by more than 300 people. The bystander training and safe and respectful relationship pilot trials were indicated in community co-design work, which featured yarning circles with Indigenous people. Reducing YSVA is critical economically and essential for happy, healthy children who are a national resource. They are the foundation of a cohesive, functioning, and productive society.
“This project will deliver Indigenous-owned or co-owned processes, addressing socio-economic disparity. Our team have a track record of delivering trademarked processes, Apps, websites, pilot programs, and social enterprises co-designed with communities that are supported by stakeholders. This project will enable the team to translate co-design findings into Indigenous-led pilot programs that can achieve intended outcomes, such as increased bystander action, positive social connections, and understanding of safe and respectful relationships.”
Dr Jessica Harris
Nearly one in three (28.6%) young people experience youth sexual violence and abuse (YSVA), which can have short- and long-term consequences that include (but are not limited to) alcohol abuse and suicide, costing the Australian community $34.2 billion in the short-term and $78.4 billion over the lifetime. Women and Indigenous peoples are at highest risk of YSVA.
The ARC Discovery Indigenous scheme supports research programs led by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers and builds the research capacity of higher degree research students and early career researchers.
“The ARC provides vital support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers and research students through the ARC Discovery Indigenous scheme,” Acting ARC Chief Executive Officer, Dr Richard Johnson said.
“The scheme has funded significant and impactful research for the social, economic and cultural benefit of the Australian community, and this year’s projects will continue to deliver on these important scheme objectives.”
