Call for Views: A new Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy - A survey for victims

Overview

Why are we doing this survey?

Thank you for your interest in taking part in this survey.  The survey is open to victims of domestic and sexual abuse who are aged 16 or over.  It has been designed to ensure that your views and your experiences of accessing support and/or the criminal justice system (if any) are captured.  The responses will be used to help us develop, and take forward actions under, a new Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy for Northern Ireland.  For those aged under 16 we are asking our partner organisations to facilitate targeted focus group discussions.

Support

This survey includes questions related to your personal experience of domestic and sexual abuse.  We appreciate that completing this survey may trigger memories for you.  As your well being is key you may wish to have someone with you for support as you complete the survey.  This could be a friend, family member or colleague or someone in a local support organisation.  Also, please note that the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline can be contacted free of charge on 0808 802 1414.  This is a confidential service available 24/7 to both women and men.  The Helpline can also be contacted at help@dsahelpline.org or visit www.dsahelpline.org for more information and webchat.

What is domestic and sexual abuse?

Domestic abuse can happen anywhere, it can happen either inside or outside the home. When a family member, current or former partner is violent or abusive to you, you’re experiencing domestic abuse.  It can involve physical contact, verbal or emotional abuse, controlling behaviour or threats to harm or kill you.

Sexual abuse is any behaviour thought to be of a sexual nature which is unwanted and takes place without consent.  It can be physical, psychological, verbal or online. Any behaviour of a sexual nature that causes you distress is considered sexual abuse.

Anyone can be a victim of domestic and/or sexual abuse.  Our new Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy will apply equally to both women and men.

What does my participation involve?

The survey should take no more than 20 – 30 minutes to complete.  There are no right or wrong answers; please give as honest an opinion as you feel able.  All responses to the questions will be anonymous, you cannot be identified and no-one will know that you participated.  We do not ask for your name at any point (except for your email address if you want a copy of your response). We will, however, ask about some of your characteristics (e.g. age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, etc.) as it is helpful for us to understand the views of individuals from a range of demographic backgrounds.  These questions are voluntary and there is no pressure on anyone to answer them.  We understand that completing the survey / thinking about your abuse may have taken an emotional toll.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

Why your views matter

Your views are being sought in order to inform the development of new strategies - Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy and Equally Safe - a Strategy to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls.

It is advisable to read the Call for Views document prior to completing the survey.