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Protection through Participation: Young survivors of domestic abuse make a real difference to
children’s lives.Dr Claire Houghton. The University of Edinburgh. [email protected].
Methodology
Wider study• 48 cypeda (aged 4-19)• 1/3 male, 1/3 BME• support service• Multi-agency contact• Focus group/interview• Workshops/film-making• Direct contact with politicians
about their priorities
Key stages of policy development (budget setting, new policies)
In depth PAR study 2007-2012• 9 young people (aged 15+)• 8 became Voice Against Violence
–young expert advisors to Government (2009-2012)
• Direct, regular, sustained meetings with Cabinet Ministers/CoSLA over 2.5 years
• Peer research, mentoring• Co-producers of policy and
‘solutions’ alongside adult experts
Development and implementation of National Domestic Abuse Delivery Plan (2008)
voice
language
fear
stigma
action
Choice and control over information
Agency in decision-making
VoiceSupportPower
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf5yjJq7ubU
https://vimeo.com/46351903
support
‘specialist’1:1
family
peer
housing
school
professionals
VoiceSupportPower
A model of specialist support
Model• 1 named key worker
throughout journey• Specialist in domestic abuse
– trained, understanding• 1:1• Accessible, flexible, available
(location, times)• Friendly, warm,• Creative methods• Link to peer support and fun
Impact• £40 + million central Government
fund since 2006 + some local authority funding
• CYP support workers – community + refuge/after in every WA group and LA area
• Conditions of grant and evaluation based on yp recommendations
• Development of support/advocacy workers other areas
• Not expanded to address need
Power & impact
On children’s lives
On public awareness
Educating adults to respond better
Promoting participation
Influencing political systems
On their own lives
VoiceSupportPower
Towards a participatory ethics: agency, power and impact in the research and policy-making process (Houghton, forthcoming, 2015)
http://www.voiceagainstviolence.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/standards-booklet.pdf
‘support was a stepping stone, participation a bridge to a new life’ (Lola)
‘I’m still in disbelief that something so dark and supposedly crippling has become a spark of something that’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life’ Lola
‘I didn’t have a lot of confidence it’s been really self-affirming’ Declan
‘It’s taught me I am a capable young person, I can really do things’ Raya
‘I started making conscious decisions to try to improve my future whereas beforehand I didn’t give a damn’ Lola
What we do is turn our past into experience and I now see it (DA) in a different way’ Chloe‘Domestic abuse no longer defines me’ Karen, ‘I can be me’ Marc
‘It’s inspired me to make change,to fight for what you believe and be accepting of others’ Jack
‘young people need to make the world a better place to live in’ John
http://vimeo.com/46353009
www.voiceagainstviolence.org.ukfor resources, free copies of film and VAV survey
