A new domestic abuse victim-survivor programme is helping women reclaim their lives
A new research report by Nottingham Trent University researchers Amanda Hanson, Michelle Cunliffe, and Emma Smith highlights the impact of an innovative trauma-informed recovery programme for victim-survivors of domestic abuse.
Supporting women victim-survivors of domestic abuse
Developed in collaboration with the first cohort of participants and Nottingham Central Women’s Aid (NCWA), the Steps to Freedom programme is already being recognised as an effective way of supporting women as they rebuild their lives after abuse.
Domestic abuse (DA) is defined by Women’s Aid (2025) as:
“An incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer”
Domestic abuse is not solely about physical violence, and it is not always immediately obvious. Sometimes it is so subtle that those experiencing it do not realise it is occurring. In 2024 alone, Office for National Statistics (2024) data in England and Wales indicated that 1.6 million women had experienced some form of domestic abuse. What matters is that these statistics are more than mere numbers; they represent lives, stories of fear, trauma, survival, and an urgent need for support.
That’s why new programmes like Steps to Freedom are vital for supporting recovery and empowerment after experiences of abuse, providing safe spaces for resilience building, peer support, and reintegration (Tutty et al., 2017).
What is the Steps to Freedom programme and what makes it different?
Steps to Freedom is a trauma-informed programme developed by Nottingham Central Women’s Aid (2025), centred on victim-survivors’ needs. The programme includes ten weekly sessions tailored to what survivor-participants identify as most important. It addresses a common gap in other survivor programmes, rejecting a one-size-fits-all approach. In this programme, victim-survivors shape the agenda, whether that involves setting boundaries, understanding healthy relationships, or learning how to stay safe online.
Each week, victim-survivors meet for 90 minutes to two hours. They talk, listen, and support one another. Evan and Feder (2014) supports this, indicating that peer support is crucial in healing, offering encouragement, validation, and practical coping strategies. Victim-survivors also receive a reflective journal, which was co-designed with them to monitor their progress and record their thoughts.
By evaluating the Steps to Freedom programme, we discovered what works, the challenges faced in accessing it, and how it transforms lives. To achieve this, we spoke with twelve women who attended the first group.
What are the challenges?
Despite high demand for support, accessing victim-survivor programmes is not always straightforward, especially for those still in abusive relationships or unaware of available services. For some, the idea of joining a group might seem simple. However, for many victim-survivors, it can be the hardest step they will ever take. Some told us they felt overwhelmed with anxiety before their first session. One said:
“When I first came, I literally was crying. I did not like groups, I did not like people”
Victim-Survivor, Steps to Freedom
This fear was about meeting strangers and feeling vulnerable, facing judgment, and bearing the emotional weight of sharing her experience.
Others faced practical barriers, such as not having a fixed address, childcare responsibilities, and financial difficulties. One victim-survivor explained she had to return to the area she had fled because of social services. Another mentioned missing sessions because her children were unwell.
“I had a bit of difficulty with my kids being off sick, so I had to stay off with them or attend appointments, so I may have missed two sessions.”
Victim-Survivor, Steps to Freedom
These are not excuses; they are realities. Transport costs posed another obstacle. Some mentioned having to choose between buying food or paying to attend the programme, for those who may have experienced financial abuse, even asking for help can feel humiliating.
However, others mentioned being willing to travel because it gave them an emotional boost.
“It takes about half an hour to drive down here, but that half hour I know that I am going to come here, and I will be set for the week until Friday…. It's like my fix."
Victim-Survivor, Steps to Freedom
Other barriers identified included work commitments, trauma symptoms, and limited awareness of the programme. Many only discovered the programme through NCWA referrals, which means others who might need it could remain unaware. We are addressing this last barrier by writing this blog to inform our readers about the programme.
Why does the Steps to Freedom programme stand out?
Steps to Freedom stands out because it is based on a victim-survivor-led approach, recognising that each victim-survivor’s journey is unique. There are no scripts or assumptions about who you are or what you need.
The sessions draw on creative materials that are inclusive and culturally responsive. These materials encourage victim-survivors to define their own experiences, enabling them to progress at their own pace.
How does the Steps to Freedom programme transform lives?
The programme's results showed that all women completed it. Each woman told us the same: how it had transformed their lives. They spoke about feeling understood, listened to, supported, and discovering strength through shared identity and sisterhood.
For many, it was the first time they had genuinely felt understood. One woman described the programme as “lifesaving,” others felt it was more than just a course; it was a community, a space where victim-survivors could rebuild themselves together.
Keywords used by the victim-survivors to describe the programme
Not only did victim-survivors recognise the value of the Steps to Freedom programme. In July 2025, we organised a one-day event in collaboration with NCWA at Nottingham Trent University to raise awareness of the programme. Twenty-one organisations attended, and fourteen expressed interests in running Steps to Freedom. Attendees commented:
“Fantastic content, really brilliant programme”
“Great. Very appropriate to my role”
“Amazing, really interesting, and lots of great content”
This is how change spreads, through connection, collaboration and a shared purpose
In summary, those working with victim-survivor groups can adapt and deliver the Steps to Freedom programme, which has been evaluated and updated to ensure its effectiveness.
Call for Action: If you work with victim-survivors, consider the Facilitator training. Want to learn more? Then email Eva@centralwomensaid.org
About the authors
Amanda Hanson (she/her) is a Lecturer in Criminology & Criminal Justice at Nottingham Trent University and a trustee for NCWA.
Michelle Cunliffe (she/her) is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology & Criminal Justice at Nottingham Trent University.