Addressing ‘wicked complex problems’: Qualitative understandings of sexual violence prevention in male-dominated industries
Journal Article
About
About
About
Dr Sarah Vrankovich (she/her)
I am a Research Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) and a leading expert in sexual violence prevention.
I specialise in strengths-based approaches to preventing sexual violence, with a focus on complex and under-researched contexts such as the mining industry and custodial settings. My work centres on recognising and amplifying the agency and capacities of individuals and communities, particularly those that have been overlooked in traditional prevention efforts.
At ARCSHS, I work on the federally funded Partners in Prevention of Sexual Violence project, the largest sexual violence prevention research project ever funded in Australia. I lead the evaluation of two community-based prevention programs, using innovative and creative data collection methods as part of a broader mixed-methods realist evaluation. This work aims to generate world-first insights into what makes primary and secondary prevention effective across diverse social and institutional settings.
Education
2021 - 2025
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Criminology | RMIT University
Thesis title: Young adult and stakeholder perspectives of sexuality education in Australia: Implications for sexual violence primary prevention School of Global, Urban and Social Studies | Engagement and Impact Award, 2024
2021 - 2025
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Criminology | RMIT University
Thesis title: Young adult and stakeholder perspectives of sexuality education in Australia: Implications for sexual violence primary prevention School of Global, Urban and Social Studies | Engagement and Impact Award, 2024
2021 - 2025
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Criminology | RMIT University
Thesis title: Young adult and stakeholder perspectives of sexuality education in Australia: Implications for sexual violence primary prevention School of Global, Urban and Social Studies | Engagement and Impact Award, 2024
2016 - 2019
Bachelor of Phsycology with Honours | Curtin University
Thesis title: Investigating attitudes towards an Australian rape culture
2016 - 2019
Bachelor of Phsycology with Honours | Curtin University
Thesis title: Investigating attitudes towards an Australian rape culture
2016 - 2019
Bachelor of Phsycology with Honours | Curtin University
Thesis title: Investigating attitudes towards an Australian rape culture
Research and Activism
SEP 2024 - PRESENT
Research Fellow | La Trobe University
I am working on the Partners in Prevention of Sexual Violence Project, led by the Reducing Gender-Based Violence Research Network in partnership with the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society and the Centre for Alcohol and Policy Research. In this role, I lead the evaluations of two complex sexual violence prevention programs. One is a safe relationships program for LGBTQ+ young adults with lived experience of homelessness, and the other is a Respectful Relationships, Consent and Sexuality Education program from young people in a custodial setting.
SEP 2024 - PRESENT
Research Fellow | La Trobe University
I am working on the Partners in Prevention of Sexual Violence Project, led by the Reducing Gender-Based Violence Research Network in partnership with the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society and the Centre for Alcohol and Policy Research. In this role, I lead the evaluations of two complex sexual violence prevention programs. One is a safe relationships program for LGBTQ+ young adults with lived experience of homelessness, and the other is a Respectful Relationships, Consent and Sexuality Education program from young people in a custodial setting.
SEP 2024 - PRESENT
Research Fellow | La Trobe University
I am working on the Partners in Prevention of Sexual Violence Project, led by the Reducing Gender-Based Violence Research Network in partnership with the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society and the Centre for Alcohol and Policy Research. In this role, I lead the evaluations of two complex sexual violence prevention programs. One is a safe relationships program for LGBTQ+ young adults with lived experience of homelessness, and the other is a Respectful Relationships, Consent and Sexuality Education program from young people in a custodial setting.
JAN 2022 - PRESENT
Activism and Policy Advisor | Bloom-Ed
Bloom-ED is the national peak body for relationships and sexuality education advocacy. The group is dedicated to ensuring all young people in Australia have access to comprehensive, evidence-based relationships and sexuality education in their homes, schools, and communities. I am the Policy and Activism Lead, working across various initiatives.
JAN 2022 - PRESENT
Activism and Policy Advisor | Bloom-Ed
Bloom-ED is the national peak body for relationships and sexuality education advocacy. The group is dedicated to ensuring all young people in Australia have access to comprehensive, evidence-based relationships and sexuality education in their homes, schools, and communities. I am the Policy and Activism Lead, working across various initiatives.
JAN 2022 - PRESENT
Activism and Policy Advisor | Bloom-Ed
Bloom-ED is the national peak body for relationships and sexuality education advocacy. The group is dedicated to ensuring all young people in Australia have access to comprehensive, evidence-based relationships and sexuality education in their homes, schools, and communities. I am the Policy and Activism Lead, working across various initiatives.
JUL 2022 - APRIL 2025
Board of Directors | The STOP Campaign
The STOP Campaign was a grassroots, peer-led organisation dedicated to preventing sexual violence in tertiary education settings. As a Board Director and Committee Member, I played a key role in the development and evaluation of the College Program.
JUL 2022 - APRIL 2025
Board of Directors | The STOP Campaign
The STOP Campaign was a grassroots, peer-led organisation dedicated to preventing sexual violence in tertiary education settings. As a Board Director and Committee Member, I played a key role in the development and evaluation of the College Program.
JUL 2022 - APRIL 2025
Board of Directors | The STOP Campaign
The STOP Campaign was a grassroots, peer-led organisation dedicated to preventing sexual violence in tertiary education settings. As a Board Director and Committee Member, I played a key role in the development and evaluation of the College Program.
MAY 2022 - NOV 2024
Sessional Academic | Curtin University
As an academic marker at Curtin University, I assessed postgraduate and undergraduate coursework across a range of social science and health disciplines, with a focus on qualitative research methods, sexology (including units within the Master of Sexology), and community psychology
MAY 2022 - NOV 2024
Sessional Academic | Curtin University
As an academic marker at Curtin University, I assessed postgraduate and undergraduate coursework across a range of social science and health disciplines, with a focus on qualitative research methods, sexology (including units within the Master of Sexology), and community psychology
MAY 2022 - NOV 2024
Sessional Academic | Curtin University
As an academic marker at Curtin University, I assessed postgraduate and undergraduate coursework across a range of social science and health disciplines, with a focus on qualitative research methods, sexology (including units within the Master of Sexology), and community psychology
MAY 2015 - SEP 2015
Research Officer | Curtin University
I contributed to two major research projects focused on sexual violence prevention in the mining industry: Respect in Mining: Led by the Department of Communities in partnership with Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Landmark Study: commissioned by the Western Australian Government and led by Curtin University's Centre for Transformative Work Design
MAY 2015 - SEP 2015
Research Officer | Curtin University
I contributed to two major research projects focused on sexual violence prevention in the mining industry: Respect in Mining: Led by the Department of Communities in partnership with Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Landmark Study: commissioned by the Western Australian Government and led by Curtin University's Centre for Transformative Work Design
MAY 2015 - SEP 2015
Research Officer | Curtin University
I contributed to two major research projects focused on sexual violence prevention in the mining industry: Respect in Mining: Led by the Department of Communities in partnership with Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) The Mental Awareness, Respect and Safety (MARS) Landmark Study: commissioned by the Western Australian Government and led by Curtin University's Centre for Transformative Work Design
Research Interests
Research Interests
Research Interests
Research Interests Include
01.
Sexual Violence Prevention
Exploring practical, evidence-informed strategies that build on community strengths to prevent sexual violence and enhance victim-survivor-centred, trauma-informed responses.
02.
Strengths-Based Approaches
Focusing on what people and communities are already doing right, and exploring how institutions can create the conditions that allow those strengths to grow and translate into sustainable, positive change.
03.
Sexuality and Gender Studies
Critically analysing how identities, norms, and power relations shape lived experience and working towards frameworks that enhance agency, safety, and inclusivity.
04.
Program Evaluation
Specialising in evaluating complex programs using mixed-methods approaches to generate nuances, practice-ready insights that strengthen program quality, implementation, and impact.
05.
Qualitative Research
Employing various forms of qualitative analysis to examine lived experience, elevate participant narratives, and trouble taken-for-granted assumptions.
01.
Sexual Violence Prevention
Exploring practical, evidence-informed strategies that build on community strengths to prevent sexual violence and enhance victim-survivor-centred, trauma-informed responses.
02.
Strengths-Based Approaches
Focusing on what people and communities are already doing right, and exploring how institutions can create the conditions that allow those strengths to grow and translate into sustainable, positive change.
03.
Sexuality and Gender Studies
Critically analysing how identities, norms, and power relations shape lived experience and working towards frameworks that enhance agency, safety, and inclusivity.
04.
Program Evaluation
Specialising in evaluating complex programs using mixed-methods approaches to generate nuances, practice-ready insights that strengthen program quality, implementation, and impact.
05.
Qualitative Research
Employing various forms of qualitative analysis to examine lived experience, elevate participant narratives, and trouble taken-for-granted assumptions.
01.
Sexual Violence Prevention
Exploring practical, evidence-informed strategies that build on community strengths to prevent sexual violence and enhance victim-survivor-centred, trauma-informed responses.
02.
Strengths-Based Approaches
Focusing on what people and communities are already doing right, and exploring how institutions can create the conditions that allow those strengths to grow and translate into sustainable, positive change.
03.
Sexuality and Gender Studies
Critically analysing how identities, norms, and power relations shape lived experience and working towards frameworks that enhance agency, safety, and inclusivity.
04.
Program Evaluation
Specialising in evaluating complex programs using mixed-methods approaches to generate nuances, practice-ready insights that strengthen program quality, implementation, and impact.
05.
Qualitative Research
Employing various forms of qualitative analysis to examine lived experience, elevate participant narratives, and trouble taken-for-granted assumptions.