How to support someone who is experiencing domestic abuse

Dr Karen Schucan Bird (Ioe, UCL's Faculty of Education and Society) writes in The Conversation about the findings of her research into how best to support survivors of domestic abuse. It is likely that you know someone in a harmful or unhealthy relationship. Domestic abuse is common. For example, estimates suggest that  one in three women  globally will experience abuse in their lifetime. But many people do not know how to respond when a friend, relative or colleague tells them about domestic abuse. My  new research  with colleagues at UCL and domestic abuse charities examines how education and training can help families and social networks recognise domestic abuse, know how to respond and be willing to do so. During COVID lockdowns, domestic abuse became more prevalent while traditional care services were more difficult to access.