About the project

In partnership with the Royal Borough of Kingston-on-Thames Council and Advance Charity, we (researchers from the Safer Young Lives Research Centre (SYLRC) at the University of Bedfordshire), are carrying out research to explore the support needs and experiences of neurodivergent young women and girls who have experienced domestic abuse and/or exploitation in RBK borough. Together, we aim to influence and improve services to this cohort of young women and girls. We will share the findings nationally and locally, through policy, practice, and academic routes.

The London Violence Reduction Unit is funding this research, which began in November 2024 and will complete at the end of May 2025.

The team

Dr. Debra Allnock, principal investigator (debra.allnock@beds.ac.uk)

Claire Soares, Research Fellow (Claire.soares@beds.ac.uk)

Methodology

This is a mixed methods study including:

A literature review on the support needs and experiences of neurodivergent young women and girls who have experienced domestic abuse and / or exploitation;

Speaking with up to 15 young women and girls receiving support in Kingston; and up to 15 professionals in a variety of roles in the system

Examining a small number of case files to map the journeys of neurodivergent young women and girls receiving support in Kingston

Surveying services and organisations in the borough to ask about the types of support they provide to neurodivergent young women and girls

Outputs

We will produce a report sharing the collective findings of the different elements of the study. We will also produce an inclusive briefing for neurodivergent young women and girls.