Domestic Abuse Resources
Please find below some helpful resources:
Digital Breakup Tool
Refuge and Avast created a Digital Breakup tool to raise awareness of tech abuse, both helping women understand what it is and also supporting them to secure their digital devices and platforms against potential tech abuse from a partner or ex-partner.
This is because, in England and Wales, one in four women will experience some form of domestic abuse in their lifetime, and tech abuse is an increasing part of that problem. Abusive partners may use technology to control, harass or intimidate women.
Digital Breakup (refugetechsafety.org)
Information for Churches
Restored have a variety of resources for churches on their website, including a church guide, information on requesting training and information on their Beacon Church programme. For churches - Restored (restored-uk.org). The Church Guide has been designed to empower churches around the world to engage with the challenges of domestic abuse, to support survivors, and to teach a better way. The guide is available as a digital download in Spanish, French, Arabic, Polish, Swedish, Tamil, Portuguese and Swahili or you can order English language copies of the church guide on the Restored website.
Information on research
Restored research on churches responses to domestic abuse (2018)
Restored surveyed churchgoers and church leaders in Cumbria, Northwest England, asking questions about their experience of domestic abuse, how often topics to do with domestic abuse were mentioned in their churches, and how well-equipped they felt their churches were in responding to domestic abuse. they published the 'In Churches Too' report in 2018:
Read about the 'In Churches Too: Churches Responses to Domestic Abuse' report on Restored website
Read the 'In Churches Too' report (pdf)
Chester University research into domestic abuse in the Christian faith community (2023)
Chester University published the key findings (in pictographic format) from their research into domestic abuse in the Christian Faith Community in 2023:
The full report is: Oakley & Wright (2023) Developing understanding and effective responses to domestic abuse in the Christian faith community.
Handbook for survivors
Restored is a Christian charity working to raise awareness of domestic abuse, support survivors,
Their handbook aims to be 'a comprehensive guide for female christian survivors of domestic abuse, covering the practical realities of leaving an abuser, healing and recover, and faith-related questions relating to domestic abuse.' Survivors can request a free handbook (paperback or pdf) and find out about Restored Survivors network: Free survivors handbook available from Restored
Domestic abuse and young people
Abuse in Teenage Relationships: Domestic abuse isn’t just abuse that occurs between married people in a home, it can happen to anyone, including young people in their intimate relationships.
Young people are especially vulnerable particularly when they are entering into their first relationships. Read about the prevalence and the red flags: Reducing the Risk: Abuse in Teenage Relationships
Safe Young Lives produced a report in 2017 on Domestic Abuse and Young People: Domestic Abuse and Young People from Safe Lives (2017)
Resources for primary school age children: The Primary Resource is designed for use in upper Key stage 2 and explores the elements of healthy and unhealthy relationships in an age-appropriate way, to help you navigate this sometimes tricky topic with primary aged children at home, in schools, or in church. Restored primary school education resource (downloadable)
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 can be found here (up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 28 October 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date).
Older adults and domestic abuse
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone regardless of their age. However, older people are less likely than younger people to identify their experiences as domestic abuse. This can be barrier to disclosing abuse and seeking help and support.
For information and support for older adults experiencing abuse, you can look on the Dewis choice website from the Centre for Age Gender and Social Justice (they also have information and resources for professionals): Dewis Choice website
Their resource library include films, podcasts, toolkits and practitioner guidance on domestic abuse in later life (including for LGBT+ victims and survivors, as well as domestic abuse and the co-existence of dementia) Resource Library - Centre For Age Gender and Social Justice (dewischoice.org.uk)
There is also a directory and helpline information Information and Support - Centre For Age Gender and Social Justice (dewischoice.org.uk)
Watch a short animation 'Hidden Harms - Older adults and domestic abuse', produced by Derby City Council, on Youtube to understand more about this issue.
Sources of support
The Methodist Church seeks to offer a safe place for all people in its worship and community life and holds that domestic abuse in all its forms is unacceptable, inconsistent and incompatible with the Christian faith.
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