Improving Support Services for Autistic Survivors of Sexual and / or Domestic Violence

Background

A key issue identified within the literature about autistic women is the elevated rate of sexual and/or domestic violence that they experience. The heightened rates of sexual and/or domestic violence experienced by autistic women are underpinned by factors that disadvantage autistic populations such as social exclusion, health inequalities, and stigma. There is currently limited research about autistic women's experiences of accessing support services in relation to their experiences of sexual and/or domestic violence. In turn, there is also limited research about how sexual/domestic violence services can meet the support needs of autistic survivors.

Aim

The aims of this research are to capture practitioner experiences of supporting autistic women who have experienced sexual and/or domestic violence. In doing so, this research intends to explore practitioners’ insights around how service delivery can be improved to better meet the support needs of autistic survivors.

Methods

This research will collect qualitative data through semi-structured in-depth interviews with practitioners who work with autistic survivors of sexual and / or domestic violence. Thematic Analysis (TA) will be employed as a data analysis method to generate themes (patterns of meaning) from the interview transcripts. This research will also be informed by the inclusion of a project advisory panel of autistic survivors of sexual and/or domestic violence and sexual/domestic violence practitioners. The advisory panel will be consulted before the data collection phase and after the data analysis process.

Significance

This research will develop recommendations for improving FDSV services to better meet the support needs of autistic survivors. The findings of this research will contribute to the emerging literature around the issue of gender violence for autistic women and how service delivery can better support them. This will also generate new knowledge about the experiences of practitioners in supporting autistic women around their experiences of sexual and / or domestic violence. Research findings will also potentially be beneficial for practitioners across a diverse range of fields and disciplines who work with autistic survivors of sexual and / or domestic violence.

Funding Body

N/A

Funding Budget

N/A

Project start date

February 2022

Expected completion date

February 2025