SPS researchers involved in a new podcast on domestic abuse advocacy service
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School of Social and Political Science (SPS) researchers are involved in a new podcast marking the anniversary of a Glasgow service that has helped thousands of domestic abuse victims over the past 20 years.
The researchers, from the DACE (Domestic Abuse Court Experience) project based at SPS, have partnered with ASSIST, a Glasgow-based court advocacy organisation for Scottish domestic abuse victims. ASSIST, run by Glasgow City Council, supports victims of domestic abuse and their children through the court system when their alleged abuser is being prosecuted. It is the biggest service of its type in Scotland.
The ASSIST@20 podcast marks 20 years of this service. The podcast features some of the key figures involved in the formation of ASSIST, reflecting on the milestones it’s navigated, the difference it has made to the lives of victims - women, children and men - and how the wider landscape has changed for better or for worse.
Those featured include:
- Mhairi McGowan who managed ASSIST from 2005 to 2019 and is now an independent consultant on violence against women and girls
- Fiona McMullen, Operations Manager at ASSIST and one of the first advocacy workers
- Emma Forbes, Lead National Prosecutor for Domestic Abuse, who was the first prosecutor in Glasgow’s domestic abuse court
- Fil Capaldi, a retired Detective Superintendent from Police Scotland, who was looking after domestic abuse in 2004.
The podcast is funded by The University of Edinburgh to highlight the life-changing nature of ASSIST’s work and the need for a national roll-out of specialist services. It comes after the DACE team found that advocacy and support are the most significant factors in minimising trauma and enhancing feelings of safety for victims and witnesses in domestic abuse court cases.
Dr Claire Houghton, Lecturer in Social Policy at SPS and the Principal Investigator for DACE, said: “This podcast is a call for action to ensure all victims and witnesses – adults and children – receive this life-changing, specialist service when going through the difficult and distressing criminal justice journey.”