The report ‘Hand in Hand’ was co-produced by peer researchers with the charities AVA (Against Violence and Abuse) and Agenda, the alliance for Women and Girls at Risk, for the National Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence and Multiple Disadvantage.
The peer researchers were made up of 11 survivors of domestic and/or sexual abuse. The report is based on their interviews with women facing ‘multiple disadvantage’ – who have experienced violence and abuse, and continue to face issues like homelessness, mental ill-health and substance use.
The report found 1/3 of the women involved had received a mental health diagnosis, just under a 1/3 described using drugs to cope with their situation and 1/4 reported that social services were involved with their children. Chlo Winfield (a peer researcher on the project) commented that:
“Our report paints a bleak picture for the most disadvantaged women – with too many falling through gaps due to service failures, cuts to support and ever-increasing thresholds for getting help,”