Impact case study database

Donovan’s research has transformed understanding of DVA in LGBT relationships among the LGBT community, relevant agencies and the general public. This change has, in turn, informed the way policy makers, front-line professionals and campaigners meet the needs of LGBT victims and survivors.

Conceptual impact

Donovan’s findings run against mainstream discourses of DVA as physical violence perpetrated by large, strong men against small, weak women. This narrative implies that if DVA takes place between two women, the abuse is not significant; likewise, in the case of two men, it will be seen as something normal, as violence between men is ‘natural’. By identifying the reality of DVA in LGBT relationships, the pathways survivors use to access support, and the inequality of DVA provision for victims and survivors in LGBT relationships compared to heterosexual, Donovan’s research has created a more accurate understanding of the issue.

Key stakeholders single out Donovan’s research as the source of their own understanding of DVA in LGBT relationships. The CEO of SAY-iT, a charity supporting young LGBT people, says that before engaging with Donovan’s research, he “ made assumptions about it being the norm and the price we paid for being in same sex relationships.” Donovan’s research “ led to a degree of consciousness and awareness raising both for me, my colleagues and my peers, [and it] enabled me to refocus and recognise violent and controlling and coercive behaviours which had previously not been apparent” [ S1]. Likewise, the national domestic abuse charity SafeLives say that “ Her research has provided evidence and a framework for how we can gain a more nuanced understanding of what’s happening in a relationship,” and that without this work, “ our understanding of DVA in LGBT relationships would be blunted” [ S2]. Galop, the national LGBT+ anti-violence charity, attest that “ Donovan’s research is one of the first to shed light on the experiences of survivors and perpetrators of DVA in LGBT relationships in the UK. Until then, understanding of these experiences was based on data from other countries predominantly USA. Local data was needed to inform policy decisions and shape professional and practitioner knowledge; Donovan’s research addresses this gap.” [ S3]

Impact on policy-making

Donovan’s research has influenced policy making in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland [ S4, S5] both through stakeholders such Galop, SafeLives and Broken Rainbow (who have incorporated their new understanding from the research into their lobbying) and through policy makers using the findings themselves. Since August 2013, Donovan’s work has shaped strategies, processes, recommendations and needs assessments in 25 local and national government organisations and executive government agencies including the Northern Ireland Department of Justice and NICE [ S4]. The sheer volume of references to Donovan’s research in government and organisational policies confirms her position as an authority among policy-makers, civil servants and other officials.

These strategies, needs assessments and other official publications translate the findings into service design. For example, after acknowledging differences in the nature of abuse in LGBT partnerships, and help-seeking processes that survivors follow, City of Edinburgh Council committed to ensuring that service redesign provides service pathways specifically for LGBT victims, and for working with LGBT perpetrators, in their 2017 strategy and improvement plan [ S6]. Tower Hamlets Council’s 2016-19 violence against women and girls strategy draws on Donovan’s research to understand the prevalence of DVA in LGBT relationships, citing her finding that there are similar levels of DVA as in heterosexual relationships. The council uses this evidence to justify targeted activities such as awareness-raising campaigns at key LGBT events and the appointment of DVA champions to represent LGBT residents [ S7]. In 2018 Donovan was invited to join the National Scrutiny Panel convened by the Home Office to examine current practice in MARACs relating to LGBT victims and survivors of DVA. The resulting guidance and recommendations were written by SafeLives with Donovan’s assistance, and were shared with the Home Office and the 270 MARACs across England [ S2]. SafeLives has confirmed the importance of Donovan’s influence, saying that if policy-makers did not draw on her work, “ the experiences and needs of LGBT individuals would not be represented in government policy. Ultimately, this would mean that the needs of LGBT people experiencing DVA would not be met.” [ S2]

Impact on professional training and practice

Government and non-governmental bodies use Donovan’s research to create training for practitioners from across the whole spectrum of professionals involved in DVA, including Independent Domestic Violence Advisors, police officers, GPs, nurses, social workers, probation officers, teachers, solicitors, and staff from domestic abuse agencies, DVA charities, mental health services, the CPS and CAFCASS. In the assessment period 4,766 practitioners and professionals in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have completed training based on Donovan’s research; this number includes 1,200 Cleveland Police officers and staff (75% of their workforce), 398 Durham police officers and staff, and 168 members of Cork Gardai [ S2,S3,S8,S9]. One Police Inspector who completed this course says that it “ will make [me] deal with this area of police business in a different way now. […] I will ensure all my officers under my command deal with this area to the necessary standard and with the necessary sympathy and empathy” [ S9]. 98% of the Durham cohort said it had improved their understanding of coercive control [ S9]. Organisations that have delivered this training confirm that Donovan’s research is a core piece of the evidence used [S8], and that “ as her research has provided a common language for talking about DVA in LGBT relationships, her work is embedded in everything we say.” [ S2].

As well as informing training content, the research has been used as evidence of unmet need, enabling organisations to access funding for training. SafeLives used Donovan’s research to support successful business cases to fund practitioner training nationally [ S2] and in 2019 it underpinned the Yorkshire charity SAYiT’s successful bid to set up a programme of training and awareness-raising across South Yorkshire, a programme which has created two new posts delivering training across the region [ S1].

Impact on public representation and discussion

Donovan is advisor to the theatre company Open Clasp, a partnership that has resulted in new public representations and discussions of DVA. Donovan contributed to two award-winning productions, Rattle Snake and Key Change. Rattle Snake toured the UK in 2017-18 attracting an audience of 7,442 people. A streamed version has been watched by 16,000 people. Key Change, which sold out its first tour, won the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s Best in Edinburgh Prize before having a 3-week run off Broadway. It has been seen live by over 9,000 people in the UK and USA. It was released as a film in Autumn 2017 and screenings were followed by a panel discussion featuring Donovan, who spoke about her research. Approximately 28,000 people on six continents have seen the film and discussion [ S9]. While her research contributed directly to these productions, her knowledge permeates the company’s other work, and Open Clasp’s Artistic Director (who writes all of the company’s plays) says “ I hear myself saying the things that Catherine [Donovan] says.” [ S10]