#ReachIn: A rapid review of informal Social Support Interventions for victim & survivors of domestic violence & abuse

This project aims to improve outcomes for victim-survivors of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) by advancing knowledge about informal social support interventions. The pandemic has highlighted the challenges that policing, health and frontline services face in seeking to identify and support victims-survivors of DVA. Anecdotal evidence suggests that victims have been less able and/ or willing to seek help from traditional first responders (Peterman et al., 2020) whilst more informal sources of support have faced increased demands: Refuge saw a 700% increase in the number of visits to their Helpline website during the initial lockdown (ONS, 2020). Interventions that aid informal networks (such as family, friends, neighbours and community groups) can therefore play a critical role (Sanchez et al., 2020). For those 'living with domestic abuse... the view from outside, from supportive friends, family and neighbours, is so important' (DVA Survivor, SafeLives), with the potential to improve mental and physical health outcomes for victims of DVA (Coker et al., 2004; Goodman et al., 2011). Yet, very little is known about interventions that promote, enhance, or create informal social support for adults affected by DVA. This project will review existing research to identify effective informal social support interventions and how they 'work'. A systematic rapid review will identify, describe, appraise and synthesize evidence to understand whether, and how, informal social support interventions can improve outcomes for victims and survivors of DVA. In collaboration with stakeholders, these findings will then be translated into practical, real-world guidance for friends, families and communities, as well as DVA practitioners. The collaboration between UCL and SafeLives will ensure relevance, methodological rigour, and UK-wide reach of the project and outputs. SafeLives' #ReachIn campaign will serve as a vehicle for engaging key audiences and maximising benefits now, in the recovery phase of the pandemic, and beyond.