# Seeking to Be Heard: Reflections on the Value of a Partnership Approach to Involving Victims in the Development of Domestic Abuse Policy and Practice

## TL;DR

This paper explores a collaborative approach involving victims of domestic abuse in policy development to improve responses and support.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a novel co-production initiative called SEEKERS that includes victims, advocates, and professionals in policy-making.

## Key findings

- The SEEKERS initiative successfully brought together diverse stakeholders as equal partners.
- Feedback from participants highlighted the benefits of shared experiences and knowledge in addressing domestic abuse.
- The approach faced challenges but provided insights into improving collaboration and co-production with victims.

## Abstract

This paper outlines the development and delivery of a novel, collaborative, co-production approach to incorporating lived experience in the development of policy and practice in the area of domestic abuse. “SEEKERS” (Sharing Experience, Expertise and Knowledge for Effective Responses and Support) is an initiative which brings together victims and advocates, police, practitioners and researchers as equal partners. It creates opportunities for them to share their experiences, expertise, and knowledge, so that others can learn from these and use this learning in addressing domestic abuse-related issues more effectively. Throughout this paper, we discuss some of the challenges encountered in developing and delivering activities and how these were addressed. Notable benefits of the approach will be highlighted, as indicated by feedback from those involved in a range of capacities, including police and law enforcement practitioners, policy makers, councillors, service providers, support services, victim advocates and survivors of domestic abuse. It is hoped that this paper will contribute to ongoing discussions regarding the ways in which different agencies and stakeholders can work together more effectively and how we can create methods and spaces to support meaningful interaction, collaboration, and co-production with victims.