13th April 2015

Change that Lasts: Transforming Responses to Domestic Abuse

Women's Aid have developed some key principles that are underpinning their thinking in developing a new approach.

Listen - always listen to survivors.

Ask - ask the right questions safely.

Specialist support - know when and how to refer to your local specialist service.

Tools - clear procedures, roles, information and training.

Sustained independence - all working together for an independent future for survivors.

For many women, when they first disclose they are experiencing domestic violence no one listens to them. No one consults them about how to stop the abuse, despite the fact that nobody knows the perpetrator better than they do.

Often women who disclose abuse are assessed for risk, and then divided into categories. Those at “standard” or “medium” risk are left to fend for themselves, or offered an hour of counselling a week with little support to escape their abuser. Not surprisingly, many women struggle to escape the abuse permanently, build their independence, and get their lives back.

Our decades of experience working with these women, and the evidence of research, have taught us a better way. By listening to women we can provide help earlier and make sure its effects actually last.

Too often this approach is considered too complicated and too expensive. So to make it clearer, they have created some infographics, visualising these women’s journeys, and the journeys they could have taken. These illustrate the enormous cost, in human and financial terms, of not listening to women and responding to their needs.

For more information visit the Women's Aid website where you can also download the inforgraphics.

You can download a more detailed report if you go to the DVCN Resources section under VAWG Issues sub-heading.