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.
Please click here for the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s GDPR statement which explains your rights and gives you the information you are entitled to under the data protection legislation.
EXTENDED: Survey on services for children and young people – guidance for responders
Mapping services
Delivery partner: In house
Timings: August – October 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.
Earlier this year we surveyed commissioners about the services that they fund. From August to October 2024 we are asking service providers to tell us about the services they deliver to children affected by domestic abuse.