Latest news with #RoyalWomen'sHospital
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
A good father helps stop boys committing abuse in relationships later in life, study finds
A spokesperson for the institute said it was unclear if man-o-sphere personalities such as Andrew Tate had influenced the apparent increase among younger men. The study takes a public health approach that considers improving men's health and wellbeing in relation to preventing intimate partner violence. Professor Kelsey Hegarty, a GP and joint chair in Family Violence Prevention at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women's Hospital, said men with serious, depressive mental ill health should be asked how disagreements were handled in their relationships, 'if it is safe to do so'. 'Some are really dangerous men, this is not for everybody, but [it is] for a group of men who may be doing things they regret: yelling, controlling, occasionally hitting,' said Hegarty, leader of the Safer Families Centre of Research Excellence. 'But if you do this early engagement in a gentle way, engage them with some empathy, [you can] then make them accountable.' Men with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were more likely to use intimate partner violence by 2022 (62 per cent) than those who did not have these symptoms. Those with suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were 47 per cent more likely to use partner violence, and those with mild depressive symptoms were 32 per cent more likely. Nine per cent of respondents said they had hit, slapped, kicked or otherwise physically hurt a partner when they were angry. The project lead, Dr Sean Martin, said the research represented the first time the influence of the quality of men's relationships with their fathers had been examined in the context of their later use of forms of intimate partner violence. 'Guys were asked qualitative questions about their fathers or father figures, if they understood their worries and problems, taught them about life, gave them the love and affection they felt they needed,' Martin said. 'Those who answered, 'agree or strongly agree', were far less likely to use intimate partner violence.' High levels of social support 'all of the time' were found to reduce the likelihood of men using violence by 26 per cent. The report noted mental ill-health was high among Australian men, estimates suggesting that up to 25 per cent of men would be diagnosed with a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Martin said the strong link between attentive fathering and reduced risk of men using violence in later relationships suggested programs for new fathers could help provide them important support as they managed the change and were engaged in their child's development. 'Men are looking for support services during this critical stage,' he said. 'There has been this societal shift where men are likely to be primary caregivers, which is great, but we're playing a little bit of catch-up in society as to the access they get those support services.' Martin said this part of the Ten to Men project would continue to delve into factors in men's lives that contributed to the likelihood they would use partner violence. 'Hopefully, this will provide better quality evidence for interventions around perpetration and family safety issues,' he said. Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, an international family violence research leader, of Monash University, said: 'The data clearly shows that men's mental health and relationships matter – not as excuses for violence, but as earlier points of intervention. 'One of the key findings from this study is the protective effect of strong relationships with a father figure. This reinforces the importance of positive male role modelling and points to an important opportunity for prevention.' Loading She said governments must act to scale up evidence-based prevention and early intervention initiatives tailored for people who use violence. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the research was concerning, but not surprising. 'It's critical that we look at the factors that might lead to violence so we can make sure we're funding programs that stop it at the start,' she said.
The Age
3 days ago
- Health
- The Age
A good father helps stop boys committing abuse in relationships later in life, study finds
A spokesperson for the institute said it was unclear if man-o-sphere personalities such as Andrew Tate had influenced the apparent increase among younger men. The study takes a public health approach that considers improving men's health and wellbeing in relation to preventing intimate partner violence. Professor Kelsey Hegarty, a GP and joint chair in Family Violence Prevention at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women's Hospital, said men with serious, depressive mental ill health should be asked how disagreements were handled in their relationships, 'if it is safe to do so'. 'Some are really dangerous men, this is not for everybody, but [it is] for a group of men who may be doing things they regret: yelling, controlling, occasionally hitting,' said Hegarty, leader of the Safer Families Centre of Research Excellence. 'But if you do this early engagement in a gentle way, engage them with some empathy, [you can] then make them accountable.' Men with moderate or severe depressive symptoms were more likely to use intimate partner violence by 2022 (62 per cent) than those who did not have these symptoms. Those with suicidal thoughts, plans or attempts were 47 per cent more likely to use partner violence, and those with mild depressive symptoms were 32 per cent more likely. Nine per cent of respondents said they had hit, slapped, kicked or otherwise physically hurt a partner when they were angry. The project lead, Dr Sean Martin, said the research represented the first time the influence of the quality of men's relationships with their fathers had been examined in the context of their later use of forms of intimate partner violence. 'Guys were asked qualitative questions about their fathers or father figures, if they understood their worries and problems, taught them about life, gave them the love and affection they felt they needed,' Martin said. 'Those who answered, 'agree or strongly agree', were far less likely to use intimate partner violence.' High levels of social support 'all of the time' were found to reduce the likelihood of men using violence by 26 per cent. The report noted mental ill-health was high among Australian men, estimates suggesting that up to 25 per cent of men would be diagnosed with a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Martin said the strong link between attentive fathering and reduced risk of men using violence in later relationships suggested programs for new fathers could help provide them important support as they managed the change and were engaged in their child's development. 'Men are looking for support services during this critical stage,' he said. 'There has been this societal shift where men are likely to be primary caregivers, which is great, but we're playing a little bit of catch-up in society as to the access they get those support services.' Martin said this part of the Ten to Men project would continue to delve into factors in men's lives that contributed to the likelihood they would use partner violence. 'Hopefully, this will provide better quality evidence for interventions around perpetration and family safety issues,' he said. Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, an international family violence research leader, of Monash University, said: 'The data clearly shows that men's mental health and relationships matter – not as excuses for violence, but as earlier points of intervention. 'One of the key findings from this study is the protective effect of strong relationships with a father figure. This reinforces the importance of positive male role modelling and points to an important opportunity for prevention.' Loading She said governments must act to scale up evidence-based prevention and early intervention initiatives tailored for people who use violence. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the research was concerning, but not surprising. 'It's critical that we look at the factors that might lead to violence so we can make sure we're funding programs that stop it at the start,' she said.
Herald Sun
06-05-2025
- Health
- Herald Sun
Parkville Hospital build given green light
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News. A new 11-storey hospital will be built in Melbourne's Parkville medical precinct after being approved by the state government. The private hospital — to be built across the road from the Royal Women's Hospital and close to the Royal Children's Hospital and Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre — will provide more than 200 beds for Victorians. The Herald Sun can reveal the hospital, to be built on the corner of Flemington Rd and Errol St, will be fast-tracked for construction despite opposition from North Melbourne residents over its height, traffic and pedestrian safety concerns. The $75m-plus project, given the green light through the government's 'Development Facilitation Program', will also be based near headquarters for the Australian Medical Association and Bio21 Institute. Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said: 'We've given the green light for a new hospital to be built in Victoria's world-leading biomedical precinct. 'The new hospital is consistent with the plans for the Parkville precinct, an established research cluster on the doorstep of the CBD for education, health, professional and technical industries.' The new hospital is expected to include pathology, medical imaging, seven operating rooms, 10 ICU rooms, and hospital beds. Nearby residents late last year protested 11-storey height limits proposed for the site, then occupied by a Mercure Hotel. They also raised concerns about the application bypassing City of Melbourne planning consideration and going straight to the government for approval because it was worth more than $70m. But the government said it consulted with the community and council on the application and amendments were made accordingly. They included changes to building heights on different areas, setbacks to avoid overshadowing and better site access for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. The revised height limit will see the new hospital built between five and 11 storeys in different sections. Like much of the world-class Parkville medical precinct, the hospital will be served by a train line for the first time when the Metro Tunnel opens later this year. The government said its Development Facilitation Program 'streamlines planning process for projects that boost investment, keep people in jobs and create more homes and facilities for Victorians.''
