Exploring the Impact of Violence, Abuse, Stalking, and Mental Health

Introduction


You are invited to take part in a research study exploring the experiences of people who have disclosed abuse, stalking or violence - and were subsequently treated within health or mental health systems.

This study focuses on what happens after disclosure - including whether individuals were diagnosed with mental disorders, prescribed psychiatric medication, detained under mental health legislation, or subjected to interventions such as restraint or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

The aim of this research is to document patterns in institutional responses, understand how trauma disclosures are sometimes reframed as individual pathology, and examine the impact this has on credibility, safety, recovery, and access to justice.

The findings will be used to inform policy, professional training, and national and international guidance, with the aim of improving responses to abuse and reducing harmful practices.


Who can take part?

You can take part if:

• You have experienced sexual abuse and/or domestic abuse, stalking, or child abuse/neglect
• You disclosed this abuse to anyone (e.g. family, partners, friends, healthcare, mental health, police, social care, or support services), and;
• You were subsequently diagnosed, medicated, detained, or otherwise treated within a mental health or healthcare context

Participants must be aged 18 or over.


What does participation involve?

• Completing an anonymous online questionnaire
• The survey will ask about your experiences of disclosure, professional responses, and any interventions you experienced
• Some questions may be sensitive or distressing
• You may skip any question you do not wish to answer
• You can stop the survey at any time by closing your browser

The survey is expected to take approximately 15–25 minutes to complete.


Potential risks and support

This study asks about experiences of abuse and institutional responses, which some participants may find upsetting.
There are no risks of identification, as you will not be asked any identifying details such as your name, email address, phone number or any other personal details which could identify you.

You are encouraged to:

• take breaks
• skip questions
• stop at any time

If you feel distressed, you may wish to contact a support service such as:

Samaritans (UK & ROI): 116 123
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (UK): 0808 2000 247
Rape Crisis England & Wales: 0808 500 2222
(If you are outside the UK, please consider contacting a local support service in your country.)


Confidentiality and data use

• Your responses are anonymous - you will not be asked for your name or identifying details
• Please avoid including identifiable information in free-text responses
• Data will be stored securely and handled in accordance with data protection regulations
• Findings may be published in reports, academic outputs, and policy briefings, but no individual will be identifiable

Voluntary participation

Taking part is entirely voluntary.
You are free to withdraw at any time by exiting the survey before submission.

Once you submit your responses, it may not be possible to withdraw your data as it will be anonymised.

Contact Details

This study is being conducted by the International Institute of Trauma, Abuse, and Society (IITAS).
IITAS is an independent research, development, and knowledge-exchange institute dedicated to understanding trauma, abuse, and harm without pathologising those who experience it.

We bridge rigorous research with real-world practice across policing, health, law, social care, education, governance, and public policy.

Our work challenges dominant diagnostic-led and individualised models of suffering, centring instead on social context, power, violence, systemic oppression, and accountability. IITAS exists to support professionals, institutions and governments to respond to trauma in ways that are evidence-based, ethical, and grounded in the lived realities of victims and survivors.

The lead researcher for this study is Dr Jessica Taylor - for queries or feedback, please email: J.Taylor@iitas.institute

Ethical framework

This study is conducted, shared, analysed and reported in line with the British Psychological Society Code of Research Ethics.