Domestic Abuse & Older People Lecture- Dewis Choice – 22nd June 2022
Domestic Abuse & Older People Lecture- Dewis Choice
Wednesday 22nd June 2022, 4-5.30pm – Online
Learning outcome:
- Increase understanding and knowledge of DA in older people.
About Dewis Choice
Dewis Choice is a Welsh Initiative based at the Centre for Age, Gender and Social Justice at Aberystwyth University. Established in 2015, the Initiative uniquely combines a co-produced service with research on domestic abuse in later life. The bespoke service has been designed by and for older victim-survivors of domestic abuse, offering long-term intensive support for up to three years and providing a service for all older people except for those receiving in-hospice care. As such, it represents a response to the gap in service provision for this age group.
Dewis Choice is the first longitudinal prospective study globally to examine the decision-making processes of older victim-survivors as they seek help and access to justice. Dewis Choice has highlighted the diverse ‘lived experiences’ of 131 women and men aged 60 years and over who have experienced abuse from intimate partners and/or adult family members.
Elize Freeman
Elize Freeman is Service and Training Development Lead for the Dewis Choice Initiative. She has co-developed and delivered training nationally for the Initiative to professionals from Social Care, Adult Protection, Health, Police and Domestic abuse, including bespoke training for SafeLives IDVA’s working with older people. Elize co-authored “Transforming the response to domestic violence in later life,” practitioner guidance.
Elize is an accredited SafeLives Gender Based Service Manager, Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) and experienced Wellbeing Practitioner. She is a Dementia Champion with the Alzheimer’s Society delivering Dementia Friends sessions to practitioners and community members.
Elize is a member of the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Abuse Steering Group and Mid and West Wales VAWDASV Delivery Group.
Rebecca Zerk
Rebecca Zerk is the Deputy Director for the Centre for Age, Gender and Social Justice based at Aberystwyth University. She is also the research project manager for the Dewis Choice Initiative. Rebecca is a published and experienced qualitative researcher working in the field of domestic abuse for over 12 years. Adopting inclusive research methods, including participatory action research, Rebecca’s role involves capturing the voices of those who have previously be silenced to bring about positive change in research, policy and practice.
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