Domestic abuse affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime. One in 7 children and young people under the age of 18 will have lived with domestic abuse at some point in their childhood. Its prevalence and complexity present challenges for the full range partners (health, social care, criminal justice, education and schools, housing sectors and the voluntary sector) working to address domestic abuse.

Cordis Bright is able to engage knowledgeably and sensitively across these sectors. It puts us in a strong position to support those seeking to improve outcomes in relation to domestic abuse and violence against women and girls and the systems which underpin them. We are especially motivated by this work because of its potential to support improved lives for victims-survivors, families and those who commit domestic abuse in the shorter term, to reduce repeat abuse and victimisation in the longer term, and to prevent or reduce potential future negative outcomes for children and young people who experience domestic abuse in childhood. Recent assignments have involved projects for central government, local authorities, police and crime commissioners and the voluntary sector:

• Evaluations of innovation programmes funded by the Department for Education.
• Evaluations of domestic abuse prevention programmes.
• Evaluations of whole system approaches to tackling domestic abuse.
• Evaluations of services for victims-survivors such as helplines or dedicated support for those without recourse to public funds.
• Evaluations of school-based programmes.
• Needs assessments designed to help better understand demand for services and how best to respond to this, either within a local area or across a region.
• Rapid evidence reviews on ‘what works’ in different aspects of tackling domestic abuse.
• Research on outcomes frameworks.
• Lessons learned in relation to effective commissioning of domestic abuse services.

Our involvement has included (for example) strategic needs assessments, qualitative and quantitative research, co-productive and collaborative approaches to evaluation design and options including experimental designs (e.g. RCTs, QEDs etc), data analysis, evidence reviews, engagement with those experiencing or committing/using abuse, consultation with stakeholders who commission, plan and deliver services, action planning to support implementation of new multi-agency service delivery arrangements, and supporting collaborative strategic decision-making across the range of agencies required to bring about meaningful change.

The box below provides examples of recently published reports.