Domestic Abuse Research Network (DARNet)

DARNet embodies an inclusive, policy- and practice-focused and proudly intersectional approach, producing ‘research that matters’ and which centres the needs and experiences of victim-survivors, particularly those from marginalised communities such as migrants, Black, Asian and other racially minoritised people, LGBTQIA+ and disabled people. 

Since our launch, DARNet has conducted research on a range of issues on abuse-related topics, including stalking, ‘honour’ based abuse and forced marriage.

Aims and Objectives: 

·        Identify and develop key research priorities/areas, and collaborative research partnerships. 

·        Share high quality local, national and international research at relevant domestic abuse boards in the region. 

·        Support the development of research and evaluation capacity for voluntary organisations and statutory agencies 

·        Support the creation of an active virtual network where relevant knowledge is regularly shared and discussed. 

·        Support the development and activities of specialist working groups

The Network is open to anyone interested in domestic abuse issues and intersecting areas such as child abuse and exploitation, so-called ‘honour’ abuse, forced marriage, FGM/C and other harmful practices, stalking, sexual violence, harassment and abuse and femicide.

If you would like to get involved, you can join DARNet by completing the Newsletter sign-up form

How your data is stored

We do not share your data with third-party agents but may use licensed third-party systems to store it. We only use systems that are secure and password-protected. We only store data necessary to send information about DARNet and we may store your data for up to 3 years. At any time, you can request to have all your data removed.

The challenges we face today in tackling domestic abuse are inter-related and interwoven with other complex issues, such as health, AI, climate change, peace, and state borders. Tackling wicked problems such as domestic abuse (DA) and interconnected areas is primarily about saving and transforming lives. For this to occur, we need a social justice outcomes re-orientation towards collaboration, equity, responsibility, and accountability, to combat the devastating human and societal costs of domestic abuse. The following pressing and unanswered questions frame our exploration as an exemplar: how do we prevent domestic abuse? How do we create better and just outcomes for victims-survivors? Does the status quo work? And if not, how do we improve this through globalised and local ('glocal') systems change? 

Additionally, in what ways, are relationships, boundaries, and structures of justice in globalised and local (glocal) institutions and communities interlinked with domestic abuse? This emphasis on the role of powerful actors, institutions, and structures is intentional, and grounds this exploration of cutting-edge ideas within a social-justice oriented practice. 

This eclectic and thought-provoking series (to be explored using different media such as webinars, an online exhibition, blogs etc) is being curated by Dr Olumide Adisa. We are particularly keen to support marginalised scholars (especially early career researchers) working and researching in the field of DA and we will be offering honorariums. This series will be running through Autumn 2023 to Spring 2024. With additional funding, we may extend the series beyond these dates. 

For more information and/or to submit an idea as well to collaborate, email DARNet Coordinator, Dr Katherine Allen by 29 September 2023: darnet@uos.ac.uk 

Connect with us via Twitter: @DARNet_research 

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DARNet is based in the Institute for Social Justice & Crime.

Some of the friends of DARNet (this list is currently being updated) include:

• Dr Olumide Adisa - University of Suffolk/DARNet Lead

• Dr Katherine Allen  - University of Suffolk/DARNet Coordinator

• Prof Emma Bond – University of Suffolk

• Dr Simon Kerss - Anglia Ruskin University

• Dr Nicola Sharp-Jeffs - University of Suffolk /Surviving Economic Abuse

• Prof  Andy Phippen  - University of Suffolk/University of Plymouth

• Dr Matt Bland – University of Suffolk/Cambridge Centre for Evidence Based Policing 

• Katie Tyrrell - University of Suffolk

• Prof Nigel South - University of Essex

• Dr Ruth Weir – University of Essex

• Fiona Costello – University of Cambridge

• Liam Bannon - Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk

• Amanda Murr – Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk

• Prof. Eylem Atakav – University of East Anglia

• Glenn Robinson – Iceni, Ipswich

• Richard Baldwin - Suffolk County Council  

• Min Grob – Empower Suffolk

• Fiona Ellis – University of Suffolk/ Survivors in Transition

• Aisha Howells - University of Suffolk

• Jo Bigger/Katherine Ahluwalia - Lighthouse Women's Aid