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The aim of this research project is to find out more about the experiences of women survivors of domestic abuse of the family court system. The information collected as part of this research helps us to understand more about future improvements needed by the courts and the judiciary.

We are investigating key themes in the implementation of family law within the context of domestic abuse allegations and State obligations towards people who make allegations of domestic abuse. This project has involved empirical research across four stakeholder groups: women survivors of domestic abuse, lawyers, judges and magistrates, and other court professionals who provide information on the child/family to the court. Thus, we have gained a comprehensive overview of the experiences of people who make allegations of domestic abuses and attitudes of key actors that work within the family law system. Six countries have been selected based on the prevalence of domestic abuse, availability of the relevant data, academic and civil society engagement with the issue, ratification of the Istanbul Convention, among other reasons. These are: England and Wales, France, Spain, Italy and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

The research is funded by the Oak Foundation and is being conducted by Shazia Choudhry (PI). Daniela Rodriguez Gutierrez and Arantxa Gutiérrez were previously Postdoctoral Research Fellows on the project.