If you are a victim of domestic abuse and/or sexual violence by a member of the police force, who can you trust to make a report or to seek support?
A team of researchers, led by Dr Sarah Wallace at the University of South Wales (USW), has released a report on a pioneering advocacy service designed to support victim-survivors of police-perpetrated violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Tabw, the first service of its kind in Wales, was commissioned by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent. The service addresses a critical gap in specialist support for victim/survivors, encouraging them to seek help and recognising their unique challenges.
The research, a collaborative effort between USW, the Centre for Policing Research and Learning at the Open University, South Wales Police, Gwent Police, and local domestic abuse services, marks a significant step towards addressing a deeply sensitive and often underreported issue.
The evaluation report, funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent, highlights the significance of Tabw, which started by pilot delivery in October 2023, and the importance of partnership and independent delivery of services to ensure victim-survivor confidentiality and trust.
Dr Wallace emphasized the importance of the collaboration, noting that the partnership between law enforcement and independent domestic abuse services was crucial for the service’s success. She said, “What really came through was the strength of the partnership working.
“Tabw is a critical development in supporting survivors of police-perpetrated violence. The early findings from our process evaluation show that while the service is still in its infancy, it is already playing a vital role in fostering trust and collaboration between the victims, police and domestic abuse services.”
Given the newness of the service, the research concentrated on identifying early challenges, enablers, and the initial impact on victim/survivors. While some positive outcomes have already been observed, such as increased awareness of police-perpetrated violence within police forces, the report highlights the need for continued monitoring and adaptation of the service as it evolves to meet the needs of survivors.
Looking forward, the research team is exploring opportunities to conduct further evaluations focusing on survivor outcomes. Dr Wallace expressed hope that the findings from this pilot can inform the establishment of similar services across Wales and beyond. She said, “Our aim is to provide a model that can be adopted more widely, ensuring that victims of police-perpetrated violence receive the support they need and deserve.”
