Principal Investigator: Dr Michelle Myall, School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton.

Team:

Dr Sophia Taylor and Dr Susi Lund,  School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton.

Professor Julie McGarry and Professor Parveen Ali University of Sheffield.

Mrs Samantha Dawson, Body Positive Dorset - Public and Patient Contributor

Summary

In 2022 an estimated 2.4 million adults experienced domestic abuse in England and Wales. Some people are at increased risk because of additional inequalities, vulnerabilities, and other factors. This includes adults with complex health and social care needs such as those living with physical disabilities and long-term/life-limiting illnesses.

In April 2021 the Domestic Abuse Act was introduced in England. This created a new definition of domestic abuse

to include any incidents of controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged

16 or over, who are or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.

Domestic abuse also includes psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse. Domestic abuse can

happen to anyone and is a leading cause of homelessness. In England, the Domestic Abuse Act has changed housing law to give priority accommodation to a person made homeless because of domestic abuse and requires

local authorities to offer support in safe accommodation and alternatives to refuge provision.

Refuges are notsuitable for all victim-survivors, particularly those who have additional and specific health and care needs. There is little research on the housing needs of domestic abuse victim-survivors with physical disabilities, longterm conditions or life-limiting illnesses. Understanding the requirements of these groups and how local authorities are meeting their responsibilities under the Domestic Abuse Act is important and timely.

What are the study aims?

Working with people with lived experience, local authorities, and domestic abuse organisations we aim to: 1)

identify and explore the experiences of victim-survivors living with a physical disability and/or long-term/life-limiting illness affected by domestic abuse and 2) understand how local authorities are meeting their responsibilities in providing safe accommodation and prioritising those made homeless because of domestic abuse. We will explore what local authorities already provide and how they are responding to the requirements of The Domestic Abuse Act. We will review published research and policies, map existing housing provision, and undertake interviews with key stakeholders. To ensure the voices of people with lived experience are included and listened to, we will hold creative workshops, using art, poetry or stories to explore their experiences. Findings will be used to develop a toolkit for local authorities and their partners to inform practice and improve user experience.

What will happen to the study findings?

We will work with our project partners and people with lived experience to identify who we need to engage and

how to reach them. We will hold an event at the end of the study to share findings with stakeholders. Findings will

be reported on social media for the wider public, and attendance at conferences and publications in academic and

professional journals.