‘Bright Light’: Transforming the Police Response to Domestic Abuse

Pillar 3: Developing a victim-centred, procedurally just policing response for victim-survivors of domestic abuse

This rapid research pilot involved a holistic review of the police response to domestic abuse within one force in England.

Project Team:

SCCJR based Academics Dr Kelly Johnson (PI), Professor Michele Burman (Co-I), Dr Amy Cullen (Research Associate) and Dr Emily Qvist-Baudry (Research Associate) worked with Dr Charlotte Barlow (Co-I) at the University of Leeds.

Project Description:

Recent high-profile reports have identified persistent failings in the policing response to domestic abuse. Project Bright Light was launched in response to these concerns. It involved a rapid research collaboration between Avon and Somerset Police in England and a cross-institutional team of academics.

The project undertook a thematic root-and-branch review of the police response to domestic abuse within one force. The research was conducted between January and May 2025 and was grounded in the methodological framework established by Operation Soteria.

The research team applied a framework of six interconnected ‘pillars’:
1) investigation and safeguarding;
2) disruption and deterrence;
3) victim-centred, procedurally just response;
4) learning, development and officer wellbeing;
5) data; and
6) digital evidence.
The work was funded by Avon and Somerset Police Crime Commissioner’s Office.

Glasgow University lead on ‘Pillar 3,’ which examined policing responses to victim-survivors of domestic abuse. This was with a view to taking forward its earlier work for Operation Soteria, and to develop and embed a victim-centred and procedurally just policing approach to victim-survivors of domestic abuse. We adopted a mixed-methods approach – including use of interviews, focus groups and an online survey – to engage with police officers, staff and stakeholders involved in domestic abuse partnership working, such as specialist victim support services and independent domestic violence victim advocates (IDVAs).

We are still in the process of writing up our findings, and our efforts to take this work forward are continuing – please do get in touch if you have any questions.

For further information:

Vera-Gray, F., Hohl, K., Robinson, A., Westmarland, N., Johnson, K., Williams, E., Lovett, J., Kelly, L., May, T. (2025) Project Bright Light: National Policy Briefing. Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit

Avon and Somerset Police: Project Bright Light

Thanks

We would like to thank the police officers and staff, and specialist organisations and support service workers who participated in this work.