66% OF DOMESTIC ABUSE PRACTITIONERS DON’T KNOW HOW TO ENGAGE WITH GYPSY, ROMA, AND TRAVELLER SURVIVORS

Immediate release
Date: 10th March 2022

66% OF DOMESTIC ABUSE PRACTITIONERS DON’T KNOW HOW TO ENGAGE WITH GYPSY, ROMA, AND TRAVELLER SURVIVORS

Today, the Traveller Movement release their Domestic Abuse Good Practice Guide aimed at improving service provision for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller victim-survivors.

Our research revealed that 66% of service providers did not know how to successfully engage with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller victim-survivors, and 98% believed there was a desperate need for more training.

This guide features personal testimonials from survivors, experiences of domestic abuse services, and examples of good practice.

The guide will be launched on Thursday the 10th of March, in the presence of a Gypsy, Roma and Traveller women panel, Chaired by the England and Wales Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs.

Yvonne McNamara (CEO of the Traveller Movement) says:

“GRT domestic abuse survivors have not been receiving the support and care that they deserve and need. This guide emphasises the change domestic abuse services must make, and the initiatives that work to increase engagement across the sector”

Tina Cooper (Women’s Worker for the Traveller Movement) says:

“Domestic abuse services must take the lived experiences of GRT survivors into account when offering them advice and support. Training in this area is essential for these services in order to affect real change for survivors. This will save lives”.

ENDS

Contact details

Jenni Berlin, Partnerships and Research Manager

Partnershipsmanager@travellermovement.org.uk

T: +020 7607 2002

W: /

Notes to Editor

* The Traveller Movement (TM) is a national community development policy and voice charity who campaign against discrimination, promote inclusion, participation and community engagement for the Irish Traveller and Gypsy communities in Britain. TM is proud to work in partnership with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities together with service providers and policy makers across the UK to better promote social inclusion and community cohesion. Visit website here: /