Domestic Abuse Resources
Please find below some helpful resources:
Digital Breakup Tool
Refuge and Avast have created a new 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 you.
Digital Breakup (refugetechsafety.org)
Information for Churches
Here is a resource from the Anglican Communion on Domestic Abuse & COVID-19:
How Churches Can Respond (available in multiple languages
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
Chester University research into domestic abuse in the Christian faith community
Chester University have published the key findings (in pictographic format) from their research into domestic abuse in the Christian Faith Community:
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.' Free survivors handbook available from Restored
Domestic abuse and young people
Domestic Abuse and Young People from Safe Lives
NSPCC report on Disadvantaged Teenagers, Intimate Partner Violence and Coercive Control
Research into Abuse within young people's relationships (mentioned by Mandy Marshall)
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 has a primary school education resource
Restored church pack - including some theology
The Domestic Abuse bill can be found here
Older adults and domestic abuse
Look on the Dewis choice website from the centre for Age Gender and Social Justice for information and support for older adults experiencing abuse For Individuals - Centre For Age Gender and Social Justice (dewischoice.org.uk)
They also have information and resources for professionals: For Professionals - Centre For Age Gender and Social Justice (dewischoice.org.uk)
Resources 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) Resources - Centre For Age Gender and Social Justice (dewischoice.org.uk)
There is also a directory and helpline information Directory - 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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