Hearing survivors’ voices in Greater Manchester’s gender-based violence strategy

Confidential depth interviews enabled women with lived experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault to respond directly to Greater Manchester’s proposed strategy and suggest improvements.

Public consultationSensitive researchDepth interviewsGender-based violence

AudienceWomen in Greater Manchester with lived experience of domestic abuse and/or sexual assault

ApproachTwelve 30–45 minute confidential depth interviews by telephone or Zoom with a female researcher

Value to Greater Manchester Combined AuthorityLived-experience feedback to refine priorities and commitments within the Gender-Based Violence Strategy

The project

Creating a safe route for lived experience to inform strategy

A carefully designed qualitative approach for a sensitive consultation with survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

The brief

Greater Manchester Combined Authority had developed a Gender-Based Violence Strategy and wanted the consultation to include the views of women with lived experience of domestic abuse and/or sexual assault. Enventure Research had also previously delivered a focus group with young men as part of the wider consultation.

The approach

Twelve women were recruited through Safety 4 Sisters and the Pankhurst Trust. Each interview lasted around 30–45 minutes and was conducted by a female researcher by telephone or Zoom at a convenient time. Participants reviewed the strategy in advance and were taken through its definition, priorities, and commitments during the interview. Recordings were made with permission solely to support note-taking and were subsequently deleted.

The outcome

Feedback was thematically collated into a research report highlighting key themes and suggestions for improvement. The evidence gave GMCA direct lived-experience input to help refine and further develop its Gender-Based Violence Strategy.

Twelve confidential depth interviews with women with lived experience
Participants recruited through specialist local agencies
Female researcher and flexible telephone or Zoom participation
Lived-experience recommendations to support strategy development

Hearing survivors’ voices in Greater Manchester’s gender-based violence strategy

Creating a safe route for lived experience to inform strategy

The brief

The approach

The outcome

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