Improving the Accessibility and Responsiveness of Domestic Abuse Services

Nicky Stanley; Christine Barter; Kelly Bracewell; Khatidja Chantler; Nicola Farrelly; Emma Howarth; Katie Martin; Helen Richardson Foster; Rhiannon Tudor Edwards; Eira Winrow

doi:10.1177/10778012251384632

Improving the Accessibility and Responsiveness of Domestic Abuse Services

Nicky Stanley
, Christine Barter
, Kelly Bracewell
, Khatidja Chantler
, Nicola Farrelly
, Emma Howarth
, Katie Martin
, Helen Richardson Foster
, Rhiannon Tudor Edwards
, Eira Winrow

School of Health Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Concerns that community-based domestic abuse (DA) services are not always accessible or responsive prompted two new interventions across five sites in England. The evaluation used service data, outcome measures, staff interviews, and surveys, and 98 interviews with survivors and children. A Social Return on Investment analysis was completed. Survivors described services as empowering: support was flexible and personalized. Positive change in outcomes was found. However, 30%-40% of referrals were declined with confusion regarding risk levels and catchment areas. Increased provision of DA services could improve accessibility, but services need to build their community profile and strengthen links with health services.

Original language	English
Number of pages	23
Journal	Violence Against Women
Early online date	17 Oct 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012251384632
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 17 Oct 2025

Keywords

domestic abuse
domestic violence
interventions
services
survivors

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10.1177/10778012251384632Licence: CC BY

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stanley-et-al-2025-improving-the-accessibility-and-responsiveness-of-domestic-abuse-services (1)Final published version, 1.03 MBLicence: CC BY

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abstract = "Concerns that community-based domestic abuse (DA) services are not always accessible or responsive prompted two new interventions across five sites in England. The evaluation used service data, outcome measures, staff interviews, and surveys, and 98 interviews with survivors and children. A Social Return on Investment analysis was completed. Survivors described services as empowering: support was flexible and personalized. Positive change in outcomes was found. However, 30\%-40\% of referrals were declined with confusion regarding risk levels and catchment areas. Increased provision of DA services could improve accessibility, but services need to build their community profile and strengthen links with health services.",

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AU - Barter, Christine

AU - Bracewell, Kelly

AU - Chantler, Khatidja

AU - Farrelly, Nicola

AU - Howarth, Emma

AU - Martin, Katie

AU - Foster, Helen Richardson

AU - Edwards, Rhiannon Tudor

AU - Winrow, Eira

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AB - Concerns that community-based domestic abuse (DA) services are not always accessible or responsive prompted two new interventions across five sites in England. The evaluation used service data, outcome measures, staff interviews, and surveys, and 98 interviews with survivors and children. A Social Return on Investment analysis was completed. Survivors described services as empowering: support was flexible and personalized. Positive change in outcomes was found. However, 30%-40% of referrals were declined with confusion regarding risk levels and catchment areas. Increased provision of DA services could improve accessibility, but services need to build their community profile and strengthen links with health services.

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KW - domestic violence

KW - interventions

KW - services

KW - survivors

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M3 - Article

SN - 1552-8448

JO - Violence Against Women

JF - Violence Against Women

ER -

Improving the Accessibility and Responsiveness of Domestic Abuse Services

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Keywords

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