Current Projects

Current projects at the Centre examine the following research areas: Intersectionality, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence across the Life Course; Elder Abuse and Justice Mechanisms; the Co-existence of Dementia and Domestic Abuse; LGBTQ+ Help-seeking and Help-providing; and Investigating Safeguarding-related Abuse in Care Homes.

Moondance Foundation

Funded by Moondance Foundation

Transforming the Response to Violence and Abuse in Female Dependant Households in Malaysian Indian Neighbourhoods

Funded by The Centre For International Development Research at Aberystwyth

This study is led by partners working in communities in Malaysia, supported by Sarah Wydall and an Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advisor. The study will develop community-designed interventions for the benefit of Indian Minority women, girls and families experiencing domestic violence and abuse. The dominant view is that Indian women whose homes were marked as ‘troubled’ (where gendered violence took place) carried a ‘bad spirit’ thus women experience victim-blaming. These communities have been resistant to Government-led initiatives that reinforce stereotypes about their neighbourhoods. However, this research aims to use co-produced approaches that promote a sense of ownership. The target group is a Malaysian Indian Neighbourhood that experiences multiple levels of deprivation. More broadly, qualitative data drawn from the stakeholder workshops in Malaysia may help to inform the development of future community-led interventions aimed at tackling gendered harms in severely marginalised communities.

Developing Legal Protection and Social Embeddedness when Domestic Abuse and Dementia co-exist

Funded by Comic Relief

This is the first research project in the UK to look at the co-existence of dementia and domestic abuse using prospective longitudinal methods. The study will employ qualitative research to assess the value of adopting a strength-based intervention to create ‘expanded space for action’. The intervention will entail designing and evaluating ‘rapid engagement response’ with the client/family to increase a sense of ‘social embeddedness’ and build social capital. In addition, it will examine ways in which legal measures can be used to protect and safeguard older people. The research findings will develop new legal guidance on safety and enhancing the quality of life for older people where dementia and domestic abuse co-exist.

Elder Abuse and Justice

A Project by Dewis Choice

Big Innovation Fund

The research, which began in 2015, is a prospective longitudinal study examining decision-making for older victims of abuse and harm in later life. The qualitative study uses narrative interviewing to capture the ‘lived experiences’ of older women and men who experience abuse from intimate partners and/or family members. The findings from the study have been used to inform research, policy and practice both locally and internationally. A Practitioner Guidance, two short LGBTQ+ films and training have been developed. These resources address significant gaps in knowledge, service provision and research about people who experience domestic abuse in later life.

Transforming the Response to Domestic Abuse in Later Life

A Project by Dewis Choice

Funded by UK Portfolio 'Accelerating Ideas' Programme

This 12 month programme aims to work with community groups and academics in Northern Ireland, Scotland and England to develop context-specific initiatives drawing on the co-production techniques developed by the Dewis Choice team.