Domestic Abuse Survivors Create Meaningful Change within West Yorkshire Police

The women’s group of the Domestic Violence and Abuse Voices Project use real experiences to improve experiences of the police for future domestic abuse victim-survivors The life-changing Domestic Violence and Abuse Voices Project (Voices Project), delivered by Leeds Domestic Violence Service and commissioned by Leeds City Council, supports victim-survivors to engage with organisations to improve future outcomes. The Voices Project has four dedicated teams to engage with women, men, children and the LGBTQ+ communities. Working with dedicated groups enables a clear understanding of the different challenges that people face in Leeds, and the insights gained are then used to improve and shape domestic abuse services. Since the start of 2024, the Women’s Group of the Voices Project have been working closely with West Yorkshire Police to address women’s experiences of interacting with police in relation to domestic abuse incidents. Participants of the group met with senior police personnel multiple times to share their own experiences with the aim of achieving real change. This involved thorough consultation on the entire process from reporting abuse, to the police responding at the household, to the court proceedings. Fran, a participant of the group described the changes that West Yorkshire Police have already implemented following her sharing her experience. She said: “As a direct result of all these things that I raised, I’ve been given feedback that the Offender Management Team who deals with major offending perpetrators are now working directly in liaison with Victim Support so that the victim knows what’s going on.” Fran went on to describe how since the project began, there has been a significant increase in the use of Clare’s Law, the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme which gives individuals the right to know if their partner has an abusive past. She explained: “There’s a massive rise in the use of Clare’s Law, which they’re estimating at 400%, which is absolutely fantastic. “Also, that now if they do need to download anything or see anything from a victim’s phone, this will be downloaded in front of the victim so that phone won’t be kept.” Heather Wilson, Detective Superintendent at West Yorkshire Police, said: “I can’t emphasise enough how useful, insightful and humbling the session with the Voices Project was. The lived experience of the group reminds us how important it is that we continue to drive change, make improvements and constantly put victims at the centre of all our actions. I can sincerely say that by sharing their experience, they have helped to ensure future victims do not go through the same challenges and additional trauma.” Heather Wilson, Detective Superintendent at West Yorkshire Police Nicola Marlow, manager of the Voices Project, was nominated for an award due to this valuable work. She said: “When victim-survivors identified that they wanted to engage with the police, we knew it might be triggering and challenging. However, the bravery shown has enabled victim-survivors to influence important change within West Yorkshire Police, as well as understand the improvements the police are already making for better outcomes. It has been a privilege being involved in this work and receiving the recognition from West Yorkshire Police.” To learn more about the Domestic Violence and Abuse Voices Project, visit: https://ldvs.uk/the-dva-voices-project/