University News Last updated 13 March
Survivors of domestic abuse have told a conference hosted by Birmingham City University (BCU) that victims need more support to break free from the control of their attackers.
They have also urged police to show more empathy to anyone reporting domestic abuse and have called for changes to the judicial system to allow victims to feel safe when testifying.
Held in partnership with Women Acting in Today’s Society (WAITS), the Change the System Conference gave people with lived experience the chance to share their stories with police, policymakers, and support services.
Marcia Lewinson, CEO of WAITS, said: "We need swift action to improve the support systems for domestic abuse survivors.
“While police response is improving, challenges in accessing justice remain due to the lack of legal aid and the barriers women face in securing safe housing.
“I urge the institutions represented at this conference to collaborate with WAITS to ensure policies and services meet the needs of women."
The scale of domestic abuse in the UK is alarming.
The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 1.6 million women aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2024.
Nationally, violence against women and girls makes up 20% of all police reported crime.
According to Dr Laura Hammond, Professor of Psychology, Criminology and Policing at BCU, domestic abuse is one of the biggest issues facing today’s society.
“Reported cases are just the tip of the iceberg,” she said.
“Domestic abuse – and the long-lasting and wide-reaching consequences that it has – infiltrates and impacts so many people, both in the UK and globally.
“We need to be creative in our response. Rather than working in silos, we’re bringing people together to find better solutions that address issues from different perspectives.
“Victims don’t expect the world. They ask to be heard and for people to think about their needs.”
Several domestic abuse survivors spoke at the conference to push for urgent change.
Rebecca Beard called for a dedicated housing scheme for those fleeing domestic abuse, as well as support with complex housing applications.
“Victims choose between staying with the abuser or being homeless,” she said.
She added that there was also a need for refuges that could accommodate teenage boys, as well as housing with mental health, legal, and financial support on site.
Uzma Akhtar urged police forces to increase staff representation of people with lived experience to ensure better outcomes for victims of domestic abuse.
“I expected safety when I contacted the police but instead faced barriers and felt it was word against word,” she said.
Amarah Feroza called for more support for women whose biggest fear was facing the perpetrator of their abuse when attending court.
Advocating separate entrances to keep victims and offenders apart, she said the whole court experience could be “overwhelming”.
“It stops you giving evidence,” she said. “Evidence-led prosecution would lead to more justice.”
Uzma agreed.
A member of the WAITS SEEKERS Board, a group of female experts by experience working to change policies on gender-based violence, she said evidence-led prosecutions would be hugely beneficial because “fear and cultural barriers silence victims”.
Diederike Donyina said it was vital victims of domestic abuse were listened to.
“A voice heard is a life changed,” she said.
Tony Hopkins, Detective Chief Superintendent and Head of Public Protection at West Midlands Police, said there was more to be done to support victims of domestic abuse.
“It’s encouraging to see 3.6% more offenders going through the local criminal justice system – an extra 1,500 offenders in real terms – but that’s still only 8.7%,” he said.
“Only by working with our third sector partners, support groups from our diverse community, and listening to the reality of survivors will it allow me, as the head of public protection, to reflect on and improve the services that we provide to survivors.”
Nikki Plummer, Head of Service for Domestic Abuse and Interpersonal Violence at Birmingham Children's Trust, said: "In an ideal world, there wouldn’t be any domestic abuse.
“However, we’re supporting families affected by domestic abuse by improving training for social workers, to help them risk assess and develop a safety plan to work together going forwards.”