Research

The research team are responsible for providing the Commissioner with a robust evidence base that underpins her advice to national government and local decision makers. The research team provide the Commissioner and her office with data and research briefings to inform our understanding of the scale and nature of domestic abuse. This includes the collation of data from a wide range of sources, such as the Office for National Statistics, the Crown and Prosecution Service, and frontline services. We also keep a close eye on research undertaken by both academia and sector organisations, and ensure this is effectively amplified to policy decision-makers.  

An ethical approach is integrated at the heart of all our research projects. This includes working with our sector and survivor advisory groups (once recruited) to develop our research methods, and inform our work. Our team abide by Government Social Research ethical principles, and also apply the domestic abuse specific Research Integrity Framework. The framework was written by the four Women’s Aid federations from Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in partnership with academic researchers.

Survey on services for children and young people – guidance for responders

Mapping services

Delivery partner: In house

Timings: January and February 2024

One of the key findings of The Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s ‘A Patchwork of Provision’ report, which mapped domestic abuse support services across England and Wales, was the lack of specialist services for children affected by domestic abuse. Only 29% of parents who wanted support for their children following domestic abuse were able to access it. The Commissioner is keen to improve support for children.

One of the first activities this year will be to map the commissioning of specialist services for children affected by domestic abuse. The guidance available in the link below is for organisations that commission domestic abuse services who are responding to our survey during January and February 2024.