Women Who Have Survived Domestic Abuse and Their Accommodation Experiences in England, January – June, 2023

Focuses on:

• experiences of accessing accommodation and domestic abuse support 
• journeys navigating accommodation settings
• the impacts of intersectional characteristics and circumstances on accommodation experiences
• needs and experiences of support within and after accessing accommodation
• experiences of "moving on" from accommodation
• survivors' conceptions and needs for safety throughout their accommodation journey
• survivors' recommendations to improve accommodation and the processes around accessing support

The study follows survivors' broad accommodation journeys, using participants' own words. From January to April 2023, Interventions Alliance conducted 40 in-depth interviews with women who have survived domestic abuse across England on behalf of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Interventions Alliance are a specialist provider of justice and social care, with a dedicated in-house research team with previous experience researching domestic abuse. The ONS conducted four interviews between June and July with experts by experience. 

Accommodation journeys varied among participants. Some survivors experienced more complex, non-linear pathways involving different forms of provision and multiple moves from one accommodation setting to another. Differences in pathways might have been influenced by how survivors found help and who they received it from, alongside individual characteristics and circumstances.

This study suggests that a higher proportion of women than men experience domestic abuse. Additionally, women seek refuge at a much higher rate than men. For more information, see Domestic abuse victim characteristics, England and Wales article and Domestic abuse victim services, England and Wales: 2023 article. 

Research suggests that men's service needs are different. Men are less likely to relocate, less likely to have children accompany them, and more likely to have additional support needs. For further details, see Women's Journeyscapes research findings.

The experiences of men and those with other gender identities would benefit from additional focused research to enable their unique experiences and needs to be meaningfully explored and evidenced.

To obtain a free account please register with the UKDA.