Understanding autistic adult's experiences of intimate violence and abuse
Project Pages
Research Aims
This research aims to understand the experiences of autistic adults who have survived intimate violence and abuse.
A Call for participants
This study is now closed. Thank you to all who volunteered.
Meet Our Team
This research is a collaboration between different Universities. Learn more about the team who are conducting this research.
About this project
Research suggests that autistic people are at a higher likelihood of experiencing forms of interpersonal violence, such as domestic violence and abuse. The aim of our project was to examine how autistic people recognise and understand this violence and abuse, the barriers they might face seeking and accessing support, and things that help in accessing support and recovery. Our research provides a much needed evidence base to improve access to support for autistic people who have experienced these forms of violence, and ensure that support offered is both appropriate, and of adequate quality.Our team includes both autistic people, and people with lived experience of intimate violence and abuse.
We found several important things in our research that might help improve the experience of autistic victim-survivors of violence in future:
- Recovery after leaving an abusive relationship takes a long time, and isnt a straightforward journey. Lots of people continue to experience mental health difficulties, and cope in different ways.
- Professionals who support autistic-victim survivors (like the police, charities and therapists) need good, autistic-led or co-designed training.
- Services need funding to ensure that training is completed, and that they are accessible to a wide range of people.
Resources
We have developed a resource to help people understand what healthy relationships look and feel like. The guide is based on things our participants told us while taking part in our study. Though this guide is aimed primarily at autistic people, it might be useful to anyone who is wondering whether a relationship they are in is healthy and happy.
FAQ
What do we mean by 'intimate violence and abuse?
We mean violence and abuse that occurs within intimate relationships (e.g. romantic or sexual relationships). This can include (but isn't limited to) physical, sexual, or emotional violence, or things like coercion and financial control.
Why cant people who are currently at risk take part?
There are multiple reasons why we are not inviting people currently at risk for intimate violence, or undergoing court proceedings. It is important that any criminal proceedings related to the issues discussed in this study are 'closed', so that any discussions do not impact or influence the outcome of any investigation. We do not want to cause disruption to this process for people who are already navigating a complicated and stressful process.
Another reason is safeguarding for participants as we have a duty to minimise risk. This includes the potential risk of increasing distress for those in ongoing traumatic circumstances. We are trying to do our best to minimize the potential for increased stress, distress, or accidentally putting someone in a dangerous situation. While we provide signposting to appropriate organisations for those who do take part and experience distress, this may be more acute for those still currently at high risk. We appreciate that you might want an opportunity to discuss what is currently happening for you, and so here are a list of organisations which you can reach out to:
- https://www.stonewall.org.uk/domestic-violence-and-abuse-resources-lgbt-people
- https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/en/How-can-we-support-you
- https://mensadviceline.org.uk
Why are only people living in the UK invited to take part?
Our research is designed to improve support services in the UK. Our findings might inform changes on an international scale, but at the moment we are limiting our data collection to the immediate context.
Will I be compensated for my time?
All participants will be compensated for taking part in this research (time for interview, feedback on transcript, and themes).
Meet our team
Mr Kieran Rose
The Autistic Advocate
Dr Amy Pearson,
Durham University
Dr Monique Botha
University of Stirling
Mrs Sarah Douglas
University of Bristol
Mrs Wendy Joseph
University of Newcastle
Ms Alex Mitchell
University of Sunderland
Dr Felicity Sedgewick
University of Bristol
Take part- This study is now closed
Thank you to everyone who participated. If you are interested in future work, you can contact Amy on the details listed below.
Questions?
Contact
Email Address
Dr Amy Pearson
amy.pearson@durham.ac.uk