Interventions for Improving Informal Social Support for Victim‐Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse: An Evidence and Gap Map

Campbell Systematic Reviews, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 21(2)

Published: April 16, 2025

ABSTRACT Background Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) is a significant global problem that warrants robust, multi‐sectoral response. The Covid‐19 pandemic highlighted informal social networks play critical role in responding to victim‐survivors, alongside formal agencies specialist services. Friends, relatives, neighbours colleagues are uniquely placed recognise abuse, respond refer wider services, where appropriate. Seeking harness this potential, interventions tailored towards such supporters being developed implemented around the world. Yet little known about interventions. By pulling together research on programmes, evidence gap map begins advance understanding of support interventions, pinpointing range type world, extent available evidence. This provides valuable insights for policy makers practitioners seeking commission or develop area, with view facilitating holistic, societal‐wide response domestic abuse. was collaboration academics specialists, as well abuse researchers, input guidance from an Advisory Group. Objectives aims establish nature empirical primary aiming create enhance victim‐survivors identifying clusters potentially suitable synthesis, gaps base. Search Methods following bibliographic databases were searched published studies inception 31st October 2022: APA PsycINFO, Social Policy Practice, ASSIA, PubMed, Science Citation Index. Identifying grey literature important pillar search strategy so websites organisations, predominantly United Kingdom, also searched. Similarly, targeted systematic review, undertaken 10th July 2023. Selection Criteria focused any explicitly aimed Eligible providers (i.e., friends, colleagues), victim‐survivor, relationship between them, and/or community within which provided. All study designs included, reporting qualitative quantitative data samples (adults who were/had been experiencing intimate relationship) supporters. Outcomes not used part eligibility criteria. needed be English. Data Collection Analysis included coded by two independent reviewers, using review software EPPI Reviewer. Details collected sample, design, intervention outcomes. Quality appraisal undertaken. Main Results EGM identified 47 create, facilitate violence overwhelming majority drawn Global North, there dissonance small base relatively larger number highlights importance diverse field. body unevenly distributed, greatest concentration directed groups mentoring, those supporters, education training. Most reported female, adult particular emphasis their mental health wellbeing, help‐seeking behaviours. outcomes aligns service user/provider priorities imperative DVA improve lives victim‐survivors. found targeting structural factors shape support, relationships norms, lack specific population including longer term, ethnic minority men. There major limited group, types (namely friends family members) notably absent samples. community‐level Authors' Conclusions To our knowledge, first provide comprehensive rigorous overview tool policymakers, researchers navigate Whilst partial picture offer insight into potential effects intervening. suite covered can inspire policymakers broaden beyond frontline identify stakeholders pilot further strengthened additional examining target communities, individuals, assessing groups. At same time, offers pockets rich data, victim‐survivor faith‐based utilised inform current future provision.

Language: Английский

---

Training Informal Supporters to Improve Responses to Victim-Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse: A Systematic Review

Trauma Violence & Abuse, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 25(2), P. 1568 - 1584

Published: Aug. 31, 2023

Informal supporters (friends, family, colleagues, and community members) play a crucial role in societal-wide responses to victim-survivors of domestic violence abuse. Familial social networks, however, report sense helplessness difficulties knowing how respond. This mixed method systematic review examines the effectiveness, perceived training informal improve their victim-survivors. A novel conceptual framework was developed underpin review. search four electronic databases, specialist repositories, websites were used identify empirical research (in academic or gray literature). Eleven included studies examined educational interventions that aimed from supporters. Quality appraisal undertaken, judged be “good enough” for synthesis. The indicated recognized value building understanding equipping them with skills respond synthesis identified statistically significant improvements knowledge attitudes immediate short-term following training. Using behavior change model frame evidence, found training/educational activities prime victim-survivors, as well enhancing capacity motivation do so. increases likelihood will take action support We don’t know, what type they provide and/or whether it would helpful by

Language: Английский

---

Enabling Workplace and Community Responses to Domestic Abuse: A Mixed Method Systematic Review of Training for Informal Supporters

Health & Social Care in the Community, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 2024, P. 1 - 16

Published: March 12, 2024

Alongside formal agencies and specialist services, informal social networks play a pivotal role in responding to domestic abuse the community. Friends, relatives, neighbours are uniquely placed recognise abuse, respond victim-survivors, refer wider services. Yet, may not know how feel overwhelmed or ill-equipped offer support. This mixed method systematic review examined of training for equipping enabling supporters disclosures abuse. To do so, four bibliographic databases, alongside repositories websites, were searched empirical studies educational programmes tailored towards networks. Nine included subject data extraction quality appraisal by two members team. A thematic synthesis qualitative was undertaken identify characteristics deemed important supporters. The findings focused on engaging issue content, materials, delivery. themes translated into ten recommendations juxtaposed with reporting quantitative evidence effectiveness. resulting matrix used five successful These content that covered (a) warning signs nature (b) impacts (c) respond/local resources. Tailoring context/audience use nontext formats also evidenced studies. highlights potential community responses victim-survivors. Such interventions opportunities collaborate strengthen societal-wide response

Language: Английский

---

Methodological and Ethical Issues Related to the Study of Domestic Violence and Abuse

Journal of Family Violence, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 38(6), P. 1009 - 1013

Published: June 29, 2023

Language: Английский

---