Operation ‘Bright Light’ Pilot for Domestic Abuse: Understanding key challenges for improving responses to victim-survivors

• In Event: Improving Policing Responses to Domestic Violence and Abuse: Findings from collaborative academic work in England and Wales

Abstract

Building on the success of the ‘Operation Soteria’ model for rape and serious sexual offences (see Hohl and Stanko 2024), Operation ‘Bright Light’ collectively seeks to transform the police response to domestic violence and abuse. This paper will discuss initial findings from it’s pilot phase, conducted within one police force in England, with a focus on police treatment of and engagement with victim-survivors of domestic abuse. Findings are informed by interviews and focus groups with police officers of varying role and rank, domestic abuse support service providers and case file analysis. The paper will present initial findings discussing the existing domestic abuse response, before examining key challenges and facilitators required to improve police performance and public trust and confidence in this area. As part of this, consideration of what a victim-centred response in the context of domestic abuse means and might look like will be explored, in reference to the complex landscape of different interests, directives, and multi-agency processes through which police and victims must both navigate.

Authors

• Kelly Johnson, Glasgow University

• Michele Jane Burman, University of Glasgow

• Charlotte Barlow, University of Central Lancaster