“Hello and welcome to the Portal Podcast:
Linking Research and Practice for Social Work”
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Season 2: Domestic Abuse
Important information about Season 2 – please view
In this second season of The Portal Podcast, we have a range of guests joining us to talk about domestic abuse. The nature of this topic means that we cover content that some listeners may find distressing. Lesley and I discuss this within the audio below.
Click here to access a transcript of the audio above
If you are affected by any of the issues discussed within this podcast you can access help and support from a range of services available across the UK. These include:
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 24/7 service: 0808 2000 247
- Refuge: provides specialist services to survivors of domestic abuse
- Women’s Aid: domestic abuse support for women and children
- Men’s Advice Line: domestic abuse support helpline for men: 0808 8010327
- Rape Crisis: support after sexual violence
- NSPCC: helping to rebuild children’s lives and support families
- Galop: support for LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence
- Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO): support for victims of forced marriage, ‘honour’-based abuse and FGM
- Southall Black Sisters: support for Black and minoritised women and children experiencing abuse
- Karma Nirvana: support for ‘honour’-based abuse and forced marriage: 0800 5999 247
- Forward: African women-led organisation working to end violence against women and girls
- Paladin: support for victims of stalking in England and Wales
- SignHealth: provide a specialist domestic abuse support service for Deaf adults and children
- Respect: working with domestic violence perpetrators, male victims and young people
Introduction to Season Two
In this episode, Sarah and Lesley introduce the new series of The Portal Podcast. In this series we have focused on domestic abuse and in each episode we speak to a different researcher about their work on domestic abuse and what social workers can learn from their research to inform their practice.
Click here to access the transcript for the introductory episode
Financial consequences of domestic abuse
A conversation with Paula McCormack and Darren McGee from Wallsend Children’s Community and Emma Aggar from University of Sunderland
In this episode, Sarah and Lesley speak with Paula McCormack and Darren McGee from the Wallsend Children’s Community and Emma Aggar from University of Sunderland about the work of the Children’s Community and findings from a recent project which uncovered financial consequences of domestic abuse.
In this conversation, Paula, Darren and Emma spoke to us about some research they did to explore the Wallsend Children’s Community’s Emergency Response Grants. Within this work, domestic abuse emerged as a key theme in the data and this is the focus of the podcast episode. You can read more about the overall work in this report: ‘An exploration of the Wallsend Children’s Community’s Emergency Response Grant as an Emerging Necessity’.
Click here to access the transcript for this episode
The Wallsend Children’s Community believes that to improve outcomes for children and young people living in the area, it needs to be able to provide them with the same offer as those in more advantaged areas. You can find out more here: Wallsend Children’s Community.
Domestic abuse services for men, women, and children
A conversation with Sarah Martin-Denham
In this episode, Sarah and Lesley speak to Dr Sarah Martin-Denham (University of Sunderland) about her research on domestic abuse. The conversation covers emotionality and safe practice in research and practice, stigma and labels, support and education. Sarah’s work explored services for male perpetrators of domestic abuse, as well as services for women who had been victims/survivors of domestic abuse and uncovers some important messages for social workers which are discussed in the podcast episode.
Click here to access the transcript for this episode.
In the discussion, we make reference to the following:
- Her ‘Walking on Eggshells’ publication: click to access
- CAFCASS which stands for Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
- Mandatory requirements for social workers to engage in CPD activity. This is a Social Work England requirement and you can find out more about this on their website.
- The average career length for children’s social workers. You can read more about this here: children’s social work workforce.
- You can read other publications by Sarah by viewing her profile and clicking on ‘publications’, but the following are also drawn upon by Sarah with the podcast discussion:
- Martin-Denham, Sarah (2021) Family Group Conferencing: A thematic analysis of families’ perspectives. University of Sunderland. https://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/13733/
- Martin-Denham, Sarah and Scott, Nathan (2022) Research evaluation of therapeutic support services for children: A local area study. Project Report. University of Sunderland, Sunderland. https://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/14674/
Help seeking and experiences of Thai women in the UK
A conversation with Angie Wilcock
In this episode, Lesley and Sarah speak with Dr. Angie Wilcock (University of Sunderland) about two areas of research. The first was about help seeking in response to domestic abuse. The second area was about the experiences of Thai women living in the UK in relation to domestic abuse.
Click here to access the transcript for this episode.
Within the conversation, Angie makes reference to a number of writers, as noted below.
- Professor Liz Stanley and Professor Sue Wises’s work, particularly in relation to consciousness raising.
- Professor Martin Denscombe’s work on research practice.
- Kristin Blakely’s work on the role of emotion in feminist research.
- Girl Guiding and their work on safeguarding and domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse and Eastern European Women
A conversation with Louise Harvey-Golding and Carrie Phillips.
In this episode, Sarah and Lesley speak with Dr Louise Harvey-Golding and Carrie Phillips (both University of Sunderland) about their research exploring the experiences of Eastern European women. Whilst the research did not set out to explore domestic abuse, it came up as an important area of concern, particularly in relation to a lack of access to services for Eastern European women. In this episode, Louise and Carrie talk to us about their research findings and recommendations for practice.
Click here to access the transcript for this episode.
You can read more about their overall work via their two research reports. You can access part one here: ‘A survey for Eastern European women’ and part two here: ‘An exploration of discrimination experienced by Eastern European Women’.
https://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/14580/
In the episode they also make reference to their project partners, ICOS, which stands for International Community Organisation of Sunderland.
Domestic abuse and older people
A conversation with Sarah Lonbay and Carole Southall
In this episode, Dr Sarah Lonbay (University of Sunderland) swapped roles to become a guest on the podcast and Dr Angie Wilcock stepped in, to co-host with Lesley. The episode explores research that was undertaken by Sarah and Dr Carole Southall (Northumbria University) in relation to domestic abuse in the older population. The podcast discussion explores some of the complexities of abuse in later life, as well as key messages for social workers.
Click here to access the transcript for this episode.
Within the episode, reference is made to the following:
- A paper published by Sarah and Carole about this research on domestic abuse and older people, titled ‘Identifying and responding to domestic abuse in the older population: key challenges and complexities’.
- Another paper published by Sarah and Carole which explored ‘Social workers’ negotiation of the liminal space between personalisation policy and practice’.
- The Care Act 2014.
- Some published research which explored the changing nature of domestic abuse across the life course: Band-Winterstein, T., & Eisikovits, Z. (2009). ‘Aging out’ of violence: The multiple faces of intimate violence over the life span. Qualitative Health Research, 19(2), 164–180. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732308329305
- A film titled ‘Eggshells’ which was produced by Made by Mortals: Behind the scenes of short film ‘Eggshells’. You can find the film on Youtube: Eggshells.
Key messages for practice from season 2
In this episode, Sarah and Lesley reflect upon and chat about Season 2 of The Portal Podcast. We consider some of the key threads that have run through each of the conversations and reflect on the key messages for practice.
Season 1
Introduction to The Portal Podcast
In this episode, Sarah and Lesley introduce the podcast and the upcoming episodes. This series focuses on the Working Papers from the Centre for Applied Social Sciences at University of Sunderland (click here to access the Working Papers). In each episode we speak to a different researcher about their work and how their findings relate to social work practice.
Young people, aspiration, and practitioner bias
A conversation with Neil Evans
In this episode, Sarah and Lesley speak with Mr Neil Evans about his paper ‘Raising Aspirations and Impartiality: A Paradoxical Position for Career Guidance Practitioners?’ (read Neil’s paper here). Neil was previously a career guidance practitioner and in this conversation he draws on that experience to speak with us about professional responsibility and multi-agency working, professional values and external pressures, practitioner bias and reflection, and some take home messages for practice.
British racism and anti-oppressive practice
A conversation with Rick Bowler
In this episode, Sarah and Lesley speak with Dr Rick Bowler about his paper ‘Whiteness, Britishness and the Racist Reality of Brexit’ (read Rick’s paper here). Rick has retired since we recorded this interview, but at the time of the conversation Rick was working at the University of Sunderland as a Senior Lecturer. Rick has a background in a range of professional fields, including mental health, youth justice, substance misuse, youth work and community development.
Rick’s paper (and this podcast episode) focuses on the ongoing reality of British Racism and explores this within the context of Brexit. Rick challenges the racial frictions that are woven into the Brexit debate and offers insights into how to “trouble” and push back against a privileging social system of whiteness. This conversation is a must listen for social workers within which we talked to Rick about racism, the power of words and meaning, and the role of the critical practitioner as a social educator to retain an ethical commitment to anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice.
Click here to access the transcript for this episode.
Supporting ‘vulnerable adults’ in police custody
A conversation with Donna Peacock
In this episode, Sarah and Lesley speak with Dr Donna Peacock about her paper, co-authored with Dr Faye Cosgrove, titled ‘Supporting “vulnerable” detainees through a student volunteering service’ (click here to read the paper). Donna is the team lead for Social Studies at the University of Sunderland which includes BSc Health and Social Care, BSc Policing Studies, BSc Professional Policing, BSc Sociology, BSc Criminology, BA Applied Investigation, Msc Inequality and Society, MSc Leadership in Criminal Justice and Policing, and MA investigative Management.
Donna’s paper (and this podcast episode) focuses on the Northumbria Local Appropriate Adult Scheme which was created as a partnership between the University of Sunderland, Northumbria Police, and the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office. Police codes of practice require the police to provide an Appropriate Adult to support anyone identified as a ‘vulnerable adult’ and in this podcast episode we explore this provision with Donna. We had a fascinating conversation with Donna about the scheme, the construction of vulnerability, power dynamics, and what it means to be an ‘Appropriate Adult’. Lots to take away from this conversation for social workers!
Click here to access the transcript for this episode.
Click here to view Donna’s other publications.
Click here to follow Donna on Twitter.
In this conversation, Donna also spoke about Dr Laura Farrugia’s work. Laura is a Senior Lecturer and the Programme Leader for BSc Forensic Psychology. Click here to view Laura’s staff profile which contains links to her publications.
The impact of austerity measures on mothers
A conversation with Lesley Deacon
In this episode Dr Donna Peaock stepped in to co-host with Sarah so that we could speak to Lesley about her paper, ‘A neoliberalist solution for a neoliberalist problem: The neoliberal normalisation of psychosocial support for parent-carers’, co-authored with Philip Nicholson and Kim Allen (click here to read the paper).
Lesley’s paper (and this podcast episode) focuses on the impact of austerity measures on social care and in particular on women and mothers. We discussed the term ‘parent-carer’ as a contested label, the neoliberalisation of care, responsibiliation, and what it means to be a ‘good neoliberal citizen’. As always these discussions were brought back to practice and the conversation also touched on critical and reflective practice as well as Lesley’s model of ‘Faciltated Practice-Based Research’. Some useful points for social work practice were raised in this conversation and we hope you enjoy listening.
Emotions in practice and research
A conversation with Angie Wilcock and Sheila Quaid
In this episode Sarah and Lesley speak to Dr Angie Wilcock and Dr Sheila Quaid about their paper ‘Exploring the Dynamics of Situated Emotionality in Feminist Standpoint Epistemology’ (click here to read the paper). Angie and Sheila’s paper (and this podcast episode) focuses on emotions in research and practice. We talked about how, as researchers and practitioners, we can respond genuinely and sensitively to people’s stories and acknowledge our own emotions within the work that we do, as well as how emotions are recognised and managed within social work practice.
Click here to access the transcript for this episode.
During the conversation a number of references were made to other material, including a book that Angie and Sheila have recently published, with Catriona Hugman, titled Negotiating Families and Personal Lives in the 21st Century (click here for more information about the book).
There were also references to other authors/ researchers within the conversation and you can follow the links below to find out more:
- Donna Harraway’s situated knowledges
- Sandra Harding’s feminist standpoint epistemology
- Mary Holmes and Emotionalisation of Reflexivity
- Catherine Donovan
Angie also makes reference to HMPPS within the podcast which stands for Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service.
You can also find out more about our guests by viewing their staff profiles where you can also find their other publications. Find out more about Dr Angela Wilcock. Find out more about Dr Sheila Quaid.
Young people’s views on domestic abuse
A conversation with Nicola Roberts and Demi Price
In this episode Sarah and Lesley speak to Dr Nicola Roberts and Miss Demi Price about their paper ‘Gendered Perceptions of Domestic Violence: how young females are more likely than young males to know controlling domestic violence behaviours’ (click here to read the paper). Nicola and Demi’s paper (and this podcast episode) focuses on the views that young people hold about domestic violence (sometimes referred to in the podcast as DV). Nicola and Demi’s research shows that females consider a broader range of behaviours as domestic violence and in this podcast episode we discussed why this might be the case, what could (or should) be done about this, and what role social workers can play.
Click here to access the transcript for this episode.
During the conversation some references were made to other material, including Jeff Hearn’s (1998) book The Violences of Men and Evan Stark’s work on domestic violence.
In this episode Nicola is introduced as a Senior Lecturer at University of Sunderland, but since the episode was recorded has become an Associate Professor. In the conversation we discussed some of Nicola’s other work on bystander interventions. Click here to view Nicola’s profile and find links to her other research and publications.
Key messages for practice from season one
In this episode Sarah and Lesley reflect upon and chat about the episodes from this first series of the Portal Podcast. We consider some of the key threads that have run through each of the conversations and reflect on the key messages for practice.
We will be recording a new series in 2024 which will focus on social work with older people. We will also be recording a ‘Mini Portals’ series with open topics. If you would like to know more, or would like to feature on The Portal Podcast, please get in touch!
We hope you enjoy listening!
Credits
The music is called “Together We’re Stronger” by All Music Seven (All7 Studios) (you can listen to their music here).
Production and editing by Paperghosts.
The Portal Podcast is funded by the University of Sunderland.
Disclaimer: the views reflected in the podcast are not necessarily those of University of Sunderland.
The Portal Podcast 