Title: Learning from women’s experiences: improving our understanding of the physical, psychological and emotional health impacts of domestic violence and abuse (DVA), help-seeking trajectories and outcomes
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Background One in four women in the UK experience abuse from a partner or ex-partner at some time in their lives, they are often isolated and find it difficult to access help or support, thereby remaining at risk. Whilst much is known about the prevalence of Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) and its health consequences, there are important gaps in the evidence about women’s experience of DVA, the barriers, problems and outcomes of help-seeking. Qualitative studies carried out within the UK are lacking. Further research is also needed into setting up education and training of health professionals to understand and detect DVA and refer women for support. Despite Department of Health guidance clinicians often do not ask about abuse nor respond appropriately to disclosure, indicating a need for improved education and training. Aims (i) To increase public and professional awareness of physical, sexual, reproductive and psychological health consequences of DVA based on narrative accounts of women’s experiences. (ii) To further our understanding of barriers and challenges facing women in help-seeking and the trajectories, safety and health outcomes for women who do and do not seek help. (iii) To offer a methodology for translating qualitative research data into a resource that is directly relevant and accessible to patients, will inform policy makers and help train health professionals and others involved in their care. The study will be published online as part of the award-winning websitewww.healthtalkonline.orga growing resource that specialises in disseminating qualitative studies of experiences of health and illness. The site currently covers over 70 health conditions and receives over 5 million hits per month. Main research question What are the lived experiences, health problems, information and support needs of women who have experienced DVA, and what are their experiences of help-seeking, both positive and negative. Plan of investigation Qualitative interview – based study of women’s experiences of DVA. The strength of this proposal is the emphasis on providing mechanisms for translating qualitative findings into a patient-accessible and educational resource which can be used to influence policy development. We will: 1) collect video and audio recorded interviews with adult women who have experienced DVA 2) use the tried and tested methods of the Oxford health experiences research group and the DIPex charity to prepare a web resource with links to an online forum for peer support and other websites to help survivors 3) conduct a pre-launch formative evaluation of the web resource with potential users 4) prepare a teaching and learning section for health professionals and conduct a post-launch evaluation Working closely with PPI groups and DVA experts, we will interview a diverse sample of 40-60 adult women with current or past experience of DVA. Researchers will write 20-25 analytic summaries to represent the full range of women’s experiences from the interviews and to reflect the most important themes. The interview material (including digital and video recordings and the text of the topic summaries) will be processed for the website by the DIPex charity. Video and audio tapes of interviews will be professionally edited to capture 250-300 clips to illustrate the summaries. All data will be entered into a content management system and a ‘draft’ version of the website prepared for pilot evaluation with potential users. Potential benefit to patients and the NHS Produce a free, non-commercial, website featuring video and audio clips from interviews, an online forum to connect women surviving DVA and teaching and learning materials to help professionals understand the perspectives of women. Pilot the site with women survivors and health professionals in training. Disseminate to local and regional networks and policy-makers.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH