Education about domestic abuse improves knowledge and motivation to respond to victims

Education about domestic abuse equips and empowers friends, colleagues, and neighbours to respond in positive and helpful ways when someone discloses experiences of abuse, finds a new study by researchers from UCL and SafeLives. The study, published in the journal Trauma, Violence & Abuse , synthesised the findings of 11 existing studies from around the world that examined the effects of domestic abuse training for colleagues, neighbours, or faith leaders. It concluded that educational activities tailored towards friends, colleagues and neighbours improves their awareness and understanding of domestic abuse, knowledge of how to respond, and motivation to do so, especially in the short term. This increases the likelihood that they will take action to support individuals experiencing abusive relationships. However, the study did not find evidence about the kind of support that might be provided and whether it would be viewed as helpful by victim-survivors. Dr Karen Schucan Bird (Ioe, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society), the lead author of the research, said: "For people living with domestic abuse, empathetic and helpful responses from friends, colleagues and neighbours are vital. These responses can affect individuals' safety as well as their wellbeing, mental health, and decision to seek further help.