Training Informal Supporters to Improve Responses to Victim-Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Informal supporters (friends, family, colleagues, and community members) play a crucial role in societal-wide responses to victim-survivors of domestic violence and abuse. Familial and social networks, however, report a sense of helplessness and difficulties in knowing how to respond. This mixed method systematic review examines the effectiveness, and perceived effectiveness, of training informal supporters to improve their responses to victim-survivors. A novel conceptual framework was developed to underpin the review. A systematic search of four electronic databases, specialist repositories, and websites were used to identify empirical research (in academic or gray literature). Eleven included studies examined educational interventions that aimed to improve responses from informal supporters. Quality appraisal was undertaken, and studies were judged to be “good enough” for synthesis. The studies in the review indicated that informal supporters recognized the value of training for building understanding and equipping them with the skills to respond to victim-survivors. The synthesis identified statistically significant improvements in the knowledge and attitudes of informal supporters in the immediate and short-term following training. Using a behavior change model to frame the evidence, the review found that training/educational activities prime informal supporters to respond to victim-survivors, as well as enhancing their capacity and motivation to do so. This increases the likelihood that informal supporters will take action to support victim-survivors of abuse. We don’t know, however, what type of support they will provide and/or whether it would be judged to be helpful by victim-survivors.

Enabling Workplace and Community Responses to Domestic Abuse: A Mixed Method Systematic Review of Training for Informal Supporters

“…Te inclusion of credible grey literature (defned as reports written by respected colleagues or organisations working in DA) is valued by the DA sector [43] and so was deemed important for this review. (2) Te review was undertaken collaboratively, and stakeholder engagement was valued [25,44]. Te review team was composed of university academics and researchers at a domestic abuse nongovernmental organisation.…”

“…Te conclusions of this study were underpinned by sound systematic review methods that adhered to EPPI-Centre standards [42]. Te project was inherently collaborative, considered good practice in DA research, and engaged with key stakeholders [25]. Te search strategy was comprehensive and included grey literature to refect the value attributed to such sources by the DA sector [43].…”

“…Seeking to overcome such barriers, a growing range of interventions are tailored towards informal networks and their skills, capacity, and/or motivation to provide positive support [21,22]. Systematic reviews show that training and educational activities ofer promising impacts on informal supporters' knowledge and attitudes [23][24][25]. Tese echo reviews of DA training in healthcare and policing, where there is growing understanding of the outcomes and characteristics of efective programmes [26][27][28][29][30][31].…”