Opportunities to share your voice - Domestic Abuse Commissioner

On this page you will find up to date opportunities to use your voice to influence change, shared via the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s VOICES at the DAC platform.

We work with statutory agencies, universities, local and national government and sector organisations to bring to you these opportunities.

The link to this page will be shared via our regular VOICES at the DAC newsletters, but please check back in as often as you like to see any new opportunities that have been shared with us.

Online/phone engagement

In-person engagement

Survey

Expenses paid

Payment offered

Support offered

National opportunities

Northumbria University economic abuse research project

Dr Clare Wiper is recruiting women victim/survivors aged over 18, who have experienced economic abuse through the use of digital banking products (e.g., mobile banking apps, digital payments, online credit applications).
The research will use participatory design sessions to bring together victim/survivors of economic abuse with professionals from the banking sector.
The sessions will focus on identifying ways of preventing perpetrators from using banking products to carry out economic abuse. Participants will complete three participatory design sessions in total.
Two of the sessions will be held online, and one will be held in-person (either in Newcastle or London depending on participants’ preference).
Each victim/survivor will take part in an individual interview with a member of the research team, to discuss their experiences of the research process.
The total time commitment is 10 hours, running from January to June.
A bursary of £80 is available to victim/survivors to cover their travel expenses for the in-person participatory design session.
Victim/survivors will receive £25 per hour for their total time commitment of 10 hours (£250 in total). This will be paid at two points:
- Following the three participatory design sessions (£150), and
- Following the design prioritisation session and interview (£100).
We will ask individual participants about the best way for them to receive the payment (e.g., bank transfer, voucher) to ensure this is safe and does not negatively impact them.
Victim/survivors will be able to access two hours of online counselling with a specialist counsellor (free of charge) if they would like to.
Please send a short paragraph to Claire explaining why you would like to be involved [email protected].

Manchester Metropolitan University sexual violence research

Laura Machin would like to ask female (either identifying as female or assigned female at birth) victim/survivors of sexual violence, who are over the age of 18 at the current date if they would like to share their experiences of reporting and seeking justice for their abuse.
It is so important that the voices of victim/survivors are captured to inform this study’s recommendations to better respond, reduce harm and remove barriers to justice as part of the call for action and change.
The research involves an online interview that will last around one hour.
Each participant will receive a £20 voucher.
If you are interested please contact [email protected] and then you will be invited to have an initial meeting to meet and hear a little more about the project. Then the interview will be arranged at your convenience.
The findings become part of a proposal to better respond to victim/survivors and their intersectional needs to reduce the harms that the process of seeking justice may be inflicting.
These findings will then be presented to third sector stakeholders, local government and policymakers.

Imperial College brain injury research project

Lucia Li, an Imperial College neurologist and researcher is looking for participants to be part of her lived experience advisory group, to support the design of a study investigating brain injury and domestic abuse.
Initially during the planning stage (approximately 12-18 months), participants will be expected to contribute up to 3 hours every 2-3 months, including reviewing documents and attending online meetings.
In the latter stages, frequency of engagement will vary depending on the phase of the project but will be around 1 hour per month.
The project is expected to last from December 2024 until mid-2031 (approx.. 8 years). Researchers would like participants to commit to at least 6 months.
Payment for time will be made as per these guidelines and expenses will be paid to attend face-to-face meetings.
Please apply by emailing [email protected] with a brief summary of your lived experience (e.g. if you’re a victim/survivor or a person working with victim/survivors); your age range (e.g. ‘in my 50s’); and your rough location (e.g. ‘Midlands’).

Domestic abuse and private rented accommodation survey

Standing Together are looking to hear the voices of victim/survivors who have lived in private rented accommodation.
Participants’ contributions will help inform a victim/survivor-led accreditation initiative for the private rented sector to appropriately respond to domestic abuse.
This opportunity is open to victim/survivors who have experienced domestic abuse as a private rented tenant within the last 2 years.
Engagement is via an online survey which will take 20-30 minutes to complete.
Please click here to access the survey.

Essex University Clare’s Law survey

Dr Kat Hadjimatheou from Essex University is inviting anyone who has had experience of applying for or being offered a disclosure under Clare’s Law to share their views in a short anonymous survey.
The information provided is confidential and will be used to inform improvements in police practice. The voices and experiences of victim/survivors are vital to understanding how Clare’s Law is working and how it could be improved.
This opportunity is open to anyone with experience of Clare’s Law (the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme). Anyone who has either applied for or been offered a disclosure.
Engagement is via an online survey which will take 10 minutes to complete.
Please click here to access the survey.
The survey closes at the end of December 2024.
There is no payment, but entries are put in for a prize draw worth £50.

Home Office domestic abuse and VAWG helplines research

The Home Office’s Policy and Innovation Lab is looking to speak to victim/survivors about their experience of using domestic abuse and VAWG helplines. Responses will influence policy development.
This engagement is open to those with lived experience of abuse, who have reached out to helplines that support victim/survivors of abuse.
Participants will be invited to take an anonymous online survey, which will take 5-10 minutes to complete.
Participants will also be invited to take part in an optional 1-to-1 follow up interview, either online or over the phone. The interview will take 1 hour maximum, allowing for breaks and debrief if needed.
Those participating in interviews will receive a £50 voucher.
Engagement will happen from late October to the end of November.
Please click here to access the survey.

Regional opportunities

Manchester Victim’s Voice Panel

The Caribbean and African Health Network are recruiting participants for the Manchester Victim’s Voice Panel who are willing to share their experiences in engaging with the Manchester City Council DA provisions.
The panel is open to victim/survivors from all backgrounds living in Manchester and who have accessed or are accessing services in the city, such as children services, housing and police.
Panel members will meet monthly, over a 12 month period, either virtually or in-person.
This engagement starts at the end of October, but they will be open for recruitment until January 2025.
Travel expenses are paid, and £25 is offered for attending each monthly meeting.
All panel members are given free access to the Caribbean and African Health Network’s counselling and advocacy services.
To apply, please fill out this form.

Central Bedfordshire Council Authentic Voice Panel

Central Bedfordshire Council are looking for participants in their Authentic Voice Panel, which provides a formal voice for victim/survivors to influence the council’s response to domestic abuse.
The panel is open to adult (18+) victim/survivors of domestic abuse, including those who experienced domestic abuse in their childhood, currently living in Central Bedfordshire. They are particularly interested in reaching victim/survivors from minoritised communities.
Participants will attend a 3 hour meeting every 3 months, either virtually on MS Teams or in person at Priory House, Chicksands.
Expenses and payment are not offered.
All panel members are supported by an IDVA, who attends each meeting.
Email [email protected] to find out more.

Regional domestic abuse safe accommodation research

Research organisations Ipsos and Ecorys have been commissioned by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to evaluate the Domestic Abuse Support in Safe Accommodation Duty.
The research is open to victim/survivors who have accessed safe accommodation (refuge, dispersed accommodation, sanctuary scheme, specialist accommodation, second stage accommodation) since October 2022.
Please note, participants must have accessed safe accommodation in the following 19 local authority areas:
- Bolton, Calderdale, Cambridgeshire, Cornwall, Hampshire, Lancashire, London, Norfolk, North Northamptonshire, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Sunderland, Surrey, Telford and Wrekin, Trafford, Warwickshire, West Northamptonshire and West Sussex.
The engagement will consist of 1-2-1 interview, lasting maximum 1 hour.
Interviews will be offered remotely or over the phone in the first instance, but in-person can be offered if it is preferred.
Interviews will take place between now and the end of November.
A £50 Love2Shop voucher will be provided to everyone who engages in an interview. Expenses can also be reimbursed up to £15 per interview.
If you are eligible for this research, please express your interest by emailing [email protected] and you will be contacted for short screening interview.

Solace Women’s Aid (London) Shadow Board

Solace – London’s Women’s Aid Service – is recruiting a victim/survivor Shadow Board to work with their Board of Trustees and provide feedback on strategy and governance.
Applications are open to any victim/survivors of violence against women and girls in London.
Participants will be expected to attend face-to-face board meetings in Camden, every other month.
Reasonable expenses will be provided.
Support will be provided from the Service User Involvement Coordinator will be ongoing. Training for participants will also be offered.
If you are interested in applying or would like some more information, please contact Hannah Murphy at [email protected].

SafeLives & Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Coproduction Panel

Safelives and Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Coproduction Panel are seeking new members.
This opportunity is open to victim/survivors of domestic abuse in Hertfordshire.
They are seeking people who care about other victim/survivors and want to use their voice, insight and expertise to improve responses to victim/survivors of domestic abuse in Hertfordshire,
The diverse and inclusive panel welcomes men, women and non-binary members. Currently the panel members meet once per month in a facilitated online space for 2 hours during the day.
Expenses are provided upon receipt.
Members are paid £20 per hour.
Support available between meetings from the group facilitator.
Please get in touch by contacting Cate (who facilitates the panel) to express your interest or ask any questions you may have, and they will send you an expression of interest pack: [email protected].

Influence Doncaster Council’s policies and processes

Doncaster Council is looking for victim/survivors to share their voices to include their policies and processes.
This opportunity is open to victim/survivors who live in Doncaster or have accessed services in Doncaster.
Participants can engage via a virtual call, over the phone or via email.
Reimbursement for your time is offered and internal support available to participants.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please get in touch via email [email protected] or you can call or text 07980 060504.
Interpreters can be arranged if needed, including British Sign Language (BSL).

Barnsley Council Survivor Voice Service

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Councils are recruiting for their Survivor Voice Service. Run by GROW, it is a a peer led post-crisis support service for women and their children who have previously been subjected to domestic abuse.
By joining the services, participants will have the opportunity to receive peer support for long term recovery and develop their voice and learn how to influence change as a result.
They will also have the opportunity to represent the voices of victim/survivors at strategic meetings.
This opportunity is open to any women who have previously been subjected to domestic abuse in Barnsley.
The organisation offers internal support as part of the group.
If you are interested in getting involved, please email Alice Milner [email protected].

Swindon Council domestic abuse consulting group

Swindon Borough Council are looking for victim/survivors to join a domestic abuse consulting group. The group will help develop the council’s domestic abuse strategies and services and will become members of their Domestic Abuse and VAWG Board.
This opportunity is open to victim/survivors of domestic abuse in Swindon.
Participants can engage via groups and 1-2-1s, and online consultations and surveys. This will take place both online and in person in Swindon.
Participants will be required to commit a maximum of six hours per year.
Childcare and travel expenses will be provided as necessary, and payment will be decided with participants.
Support will be offered via the council’s domestic abuse service provider.
To register your interest, please email [email protected].

Influence Shropshire Council’s domestic abuse policies and services

Shropshire Council are recruiting victim/survivors to influence their domestic abuse policy and feedback on local services to develop procedures.
They want to speak to victim/survivors who have experience domestic or sexual abuse and accessed any service within Shropshire.
Engagement will be a mixture of group and 1-2-1 discussions, with some surveys and questionnaires. It will mostly be in-person, with some opportunities for participation online and over the phone.
To find out more or get involved, contact the council’s Lived Experience Project Officer, Kate Connor by email [email protected] or phone 07977577674.

Torbay Council Lived Experience Network

Torbay Council are developing a Lived Experience Network to support development and implementation of their Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy Delivery Plan and to represent on their local Domestic Abuse Partnership Board.
The network is open to people in and around Torbay who have experience domestic abuse and/or sexual violence.
Engagement will be in whichever form is most comfortable for participants and will take place online and in person.
The time commitment is also up to each individual.
Expenses will be offered for 1-2-1 engagement and payment can be arranged for participation.
Please email [email protected] to find out more or apply.

London local authority housing support survey

The Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) is looking for victim/survivors to support development of a new accreditation framework designed to meet the unique needs of housing services in London and the communities they serve.
This is open to those with lived experience of accessing local authority housing support in London due to domestic abuse.
Engagement will initially be via online surveys, with the option of ongoing group work. This will take place both online and in-person.
The survey will take 10 minutes. For group work there will be 3 sessions lasting 45 minutes each.
A £50 voucher or cash will be offered to participants.
Domestic abuse support will be available during the group sessions.
For more information, please contact [email protected].