Welcome to the Child & Woman Abuse Studies website

The Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit (CWASU) at London Metropolitan University is recognised as a centre of excellence, with an international reputation for research, evaluation, training and consultancy. Established in 1987, we have over two decades of experience in conducting independent feminist research that creates useful knowledge for policy makers, practitioners, survivors, supporters and activists. CWASU is the only research unit in Europe that integrates a focus on all forms of violence against women and child abuse. We have been at the forefront of developing innovative methodologies, and continue to explore new ways of creating and analysing knowledge.

CWASU has a vibrant post-graduate culture, running the first MA in Woman and Child Abuse in Europe, and having 11 PhD students. We have also welcomed post-doc visiting researchers from Europe, Latin America and Central Asia.

*NEW* Women's journeys in response to domestic violence

Briefing document available here. The main aim of the research project is to improve understanding of the extent and the implications of the journeys women make to escape domestic violence in the UK. Using large administrative datasets the research enables the identification, quantification and mapping of over 18,000 journeys per year by women to access services in England.

Realising Rights: Case studies on state responses to violence against women and children in Europe

This CWASU-led project, in partnership with the University of Osnabrück, the German Institute for Human Youth Services and Family Law (DIJuF) and Tilburg University (INTERVICT - International Victimology Institute), was funded by the EU DAPHNE III programme. Through in-depth case studies this project aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of existing European legislation in the fields of violence against women (VAW) and child maltreatment (CM), and presents an analytic overview of promising directions and gaps in legislation and implementation, in order to suggest directions for further reforms in laws, procedures and public policy. Please see the link on the right for full report.

'Moving on up' is a four year longitudinal research project funded by the big lottery being conducted by the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit in partnership with Solace Women's Aid. The aims of the project are to identify and explore the challenges and barriers women face when they leave domestic violence and rebuild their lives. The research is being conducted with women who have accessed Solace Women's Aid services. We plan to interview 100 women over 4 waves of data collection, interviews with key workers and the women's children will also take place.
Both qualitative and quantitative data are being collected. Scales to measure levels of coercive control and women's 'space for action' have been developed for the quantitative elements. As part of the project we are mapping women's social networks; both geographically and emotionally. We are also completing data collection phases with the women's children and Solace Key workers.

If you would like more information on the project then please contact Harriet Fearn at h.fearn@londonmet.ac.uk or telephone 020 7133 5024.
Quarterly newsletters with up to date information on the research will appear on this webpage.

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