Dr Kyllie Cripps has been appointed Co-Convenor of the Gendered Violence Research Network at UNSW Sydney. Dr Cripps will help lead the Research Network alongside fellow Co-Convenor Professor Jan Breckenridge in its mission to respond, prevent and end gendered violence in Australia and beyond. 

The Gendered Violence Research Network (GVRN) is a joint initiative of UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture and UNSW Law & Justice and has been at the forefront of developing solutions to prevent gendered violence – one of the most prevalent human rights violations affecting our world today. Their research explores the impact of gendered violence, also known as ‘gender-based violence’ or ‘gender-related violence’, on all population groups – although studies clearly show that women and children are disproportionately affected.

Dr Cripps is a Palawa woman, Scientia Fellow and Senior Lecturer in the School of Law, Society & Criminology at UNSW Law & Justice. She is an expert in interpersonal violence, having worked extensively over the past twenty years in family violence, sexual assault and child abuse with Indigenous communities defining areas of need and considering intervention options at multiple levels. She has also led three major Australian Research Council grants in Indigenous family violence, and regularly provides advice to governments through her appointments on several state and national committees responding to family violence.

As Co-Convenor of GVRN, Dr Cripps said she hopes to continue to support a collaborative effort that creates safe and more supportive environments for those experiencing gendered violence.

“I am proud to co-convene GVRN as we unite academics, professionals and the broader community to shift attitudes towards gendered violence and present evidence-based responses that improve the ways in which we respond to violence,” Dr Cripps said. “It is also a wonderful opportunity to elevate issues of Indigenous Family Violence, given we are significantly overrepresented in the statistics and the resulting harms.”

Professor Breckenridge said Dr Cripps will help build upon the tremendous work already undertaken by the GVRN.

“I am delighted that Kyllie will take on the role of co-convenor of the GVRN,” Professor Breckenridge said.

“Kyllie has been an affiliate of GVRN for a number of years and her scholarship is of the highest level. Her academic focus on Indigenous family violence aligns strongly with the work we do to raise awareness of significant issues in gendered violence and build strong community partnerships.

“I greatly appreciate the collegiality the Kyllie brings to all of her work and look forward to our working partnership.”

The Gendered Violence Research Network is committed to honouring First Nations peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich and generous contribution to the world we share.

We acknowledge the Bedegal People who are the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which the Gendered Violence Research Network is located, and all Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia, where we conduct our business. We acknowledge that these lands were never ceded. We pay our respects to Elders, both past and present.


Ben Knight