The Violence Prevention Institute is driven by a desire to share knowledge and translate it into practical action which reduces violence.
We support not-for-profits, commercial enterprises and government in all aspects of violence prevention.
As a boutique, specialist consultancy, we are nimble, responsive and expert.
We are independent and unbiased. We believe in quality analysis rather than quick and simple soundbite answers.
We are committed to giving you the violence prevention strategies, policies and programs that you need for the real world.
For more information, visit our service pages or get in touch.
The Violence Prevention Institute was established by Dr Samara McPhedran and Sene Hicks, who have dedicated their careers to understanding and preventing violence.
Dr Samara McPhedran is an accomplished senior leader and consultant with extensive experience across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Qualified in law and psychology, she has far-reaching capabilities in violence prevention, mental health, and social and justice policy and systems.
Samara has served on a number of high-level advisory groups, including state and federal Ministerial panels, and has an established track record of providing evidence-based advice to decision-makers to guide legislative and policy change. She has been an expert witness for the Crown. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she is active in several professional and community organisations, including as current President of the QLD Branch of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL).
Samara has a significant scholarly profile. She was the Inaugural Director of the Griffith University Homicide Research Unit, Deputy Director of the Griffith University Violence Research and Prevention Program, and a Senior Research Fellow with the Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention. She has been an Honorary Research Fellow with the Department of Economics, University of Otago (New Zealand) and an Honorary Associate Professor with the TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland. She serves on the Editorial Board of the highly ranked international journal Trauma, Violence, & Abuse.
Her work has been funded by sources including the Australian Institute of Criminology, Queensland Corrective Services, Australian Research Council, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Her research is widely published in academic and mainstream outlets, and she is a sought-after media commentator.
Sene Hicks is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society with over 25 years of experience in community, mental health and forensic settings. As a Principal Psychologist in private practice, she services clients internationally and across Australia.
Sene is
Sene worked as a Team Leader in the North Queensland Youth Justice Service. She introduced a therapeutic portfolio for regional and remote young people, which aimed to reduce offending through therapeutic intervention and a focus on psychological drivers of behavioural change.
Sene has worked extensively with both male and female incarcerated adults in NSW and NT. Her experience includes minimum, medium and maximum security environments. Her past roles include
Since establishing her private practice in 2014, Sene continues to work with complex clients and families. She has a strong referral base for people experiencing and/or perpetrating family violence, including stalking and behaviours of coercive control.
Sene is currently undertaking her PhD through Griffith University. Her research examines the incidence and characteristics of stranger homicide in Australia. A comparative analysis of strangers with non-intimate perpetrators of homicide, it examines the characteristics of the offence and offenders, and their experience of guilt or shame following a lethal event.