Researchers call for public’s help to share their experiences of domestic violence

University of Bristol researchers are calling on the public’s help for a new project to improve support for women suffering domestic violence. The National Institute for Health Research-funded project, led by Dr Maggie Evans from Bristol’s Domestic Violence and Health Group in the School for Social and Community Medicine, is looking for women who are willing to share with them their experiences of current or historic domestic violence or abuse.

The findings from the interviews will be used to develop an online resource for victims/survivors of domestic violence about women’s experiences. This new resource, which will form part of the healthtalk website, will provide information and support for other women and to help train health and social care professionals.  All interviews take around 60 minutes to complete.

If you are a woman who has experienced domestic violence or abuse and would like to know more about the study, email: eos-study@bristol.ac.uk or tel mobile (safe contact phone numbers) 07814 155873 (Maggie Evans), 07815 538497 (Emma Johnson).

Dr Emma Williamson, a Senior Research Fellow at Bristol’s Centre for Gender and Violence Research, said: “Many women experiencing domestic violence can feel isolated and alone, we hope this new resource will provide an online support network to provide them with help and guidance.”

If you work for a service that might be able to give out information packs to your service users, or if you are a woman who has experience of domestic violence or abuse as an adult, please take a look at our website for more information.

This study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme (Ref: PB-PG-0712-28011).