Provision of Research to Support the Redevelopment of Survey Questions to Estimate the Prevalence of Domestic Abuse

The aim of this research is to develop new survey questions on domestic abuse in the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW), based on topic knowledge, user requirements, and qualitative testing with victims and survivors. In addition, the research should explore the survey mode for asking respondents about their experience of domestic abuse through the qualitative research with victims and survivors.

The research should aim to include the following groups:

It is important that qualitative question testing with victims and survivors include representation from the listed demographic groups and different types of abuse experienced to ensure that questions are inclusive of lived experiences of domestic abuse. ONS have some existing contacts with victim service organisations that may help to recruit these target groups, however it is desirable that the supplier has access to a variety of victim services to collaborate with.

The research has been split into two parts, A, and B. Although they focus on different aspects, the two parts of research are not completely independent of each other and therefore bids for both parts together are preferred.

For part A, a draft set of questions for the domestic abuse module should be provided that have undergone cognitive testing with victims and survivors of domestic abuse, and the general public and a report should be delivered detailing the questions, reasoning behind the development, wording and ordering, and feedback from the qualitative testing. For part B, a report should be delivered detailing the findings from the research questions outlined. For both parts, the supplier should detail a set of recommendations of next steps for research and testing.