Blackburn with Darwen Domestic Abuse Victims’ Needs Assessment

The Task

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council commissioned TONIC to undertake a Domestic Abuse Victims’ Needs Assessment to inform the re-commissioning of support provision in the local area. The aim was to gather the opinions, views and experiences of service users and professionals to identify the needs of those experiencing domestic abuse. Furthermore, TONIC were asked to review the existing commissioned support offer for both adults and children, focusing on demand, capacity, service remit, and whether services are equitably meeting the needs of domestic abuse victims in Blackburn with Darwen. 

Approach

The TONIC research team aimed to deliver a comprehensive and detailed picture by engaging with a wide range of victims and professionals, from across Blackburn with Darwen. Using an assortment of research methods, such as one-to-one interviews, focus groups, and an online survey, feedback was gained from 150 individuals. In addition, TONIC researchers undertook in person site visits with the commissioned service providers, engaging with service users and staff face-to-face and conducting ethnographic observations of the day-to-day running of services. 

A total of 102 people responded to the online survey (or paper feedback form), this included:  

  • 29 victims and 2 respondents on behalf of someone affected by crime.  

  • 71 professionals 

TONIC conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups with 48 individuals, this included:  

  • 26 victims   

  • 22 professionals.  

Output

Following thematic analysis of the findings and triangulation of these with analysis of quantitative data from Lancashire police on victimisation well as service activity, TONIC produced a detailed report exploring the following areas: 

  • The demographic of domestic abuse victims in Blackburn with Darwen. 

  • The effectiveness of the current domestic abuse support and refuge provision in meeting the need and demand within the borough. 

  • Service inclusivity and accessibility, exploring barriers to accessing and engaging with support, along with solutions to overcome these. 

  • Domestic abuse and support service awareness and promotion within the borough and throughout wider Lancashire. 

  • The significance of positive communication and joint working between local agencies. 

  • The potential impact of increasing collection of service user feedback and conducting co-production work. 

  • The current methods and usefulness of service data collection and reporting. 

As a result of the research findings and through co-design workshops with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, TONIC collaboratively produced five in-depth recommendations to be considered by both commissioners and service providers when allocating future funding to domestic abuse support services. 

“Thank you for all the work yourself and your team have put into completing our needs assessment. The whole team have been great to work alongside, there has been strong lines of communication from your team throughout and the consultation meetings were relaxed and productive.

We also felt that you really considered the voices of our community and professionals. This is demonstrated throughout our Needs Assessment. So again, a massive thank you for completing this mammoth task for us.”  

Domestic Abuse Coordinator, Community Safety Team, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council