Tackling Domestic Abuse: The Power of Intersectionality, Collaboration, and Supporting the Next Generation

In this thought leadership piece, we explore the inspirational journey of Jackie Hyland, Executive Director of Health at Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA). A pioneering leader and advocate for survivors, Jackie shares her transformative work in tackling domestic abuse through intersectionality, collaboration, and community-driven solutions.

Tackling Domestic Abuse: The Power of Intersectionality, Collaboration, and Supporting the Next Generation 

Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and nurtured. Yet, for many—particularly those impacted by domestic abuse—this fundamental right can feel like a distant dream. Jackie’s journey in supporting children and young people began as a Family Liaison Officer in schools in deprived areas, where she witnessed the incredible resilience of children and families and the transformative power of community-driven support. 

"My work has always been centred on building connections—bridging the gaps between children, families, and systems that often feel inaccessible. Through the Coordinated Community Response (CCR) approach, it’s about identifying those pivotal moments where we can empower families as a whole, ensuring that every child matters and no one is left behind," Jackie shares. 

One of the most impactful ways Jackie addressed barriers to children accessing education was through breakfast clubs. These weren’t just about providing meals but about creating nurturing environments that supported healthy attachments to school and the community, ensuring children were ready to learn. 

"We didn’t ask much—sometimes a penny, sometimes nothing at all. What mattered was that children came into a warm, nurturing space where they felt valued,” she recalls. Through these clubs, behaviours rooted in hunger and instability began to change, with parents becoming active participants and contributing to a ripple effect of trust and community. 

Jackie’s work also extended to Public Protection Policing, where she became the first Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) to work closely with police. In this role, she advocated for victims and their families, breaking down barriers between survivors and law enforcement. She focused on ensuring that victims’ voices were heard, and that Police Officers understood the sensitivity required when handling domestic abuse cases. 

Jackie’s role also involved providing training to Police Officers to challenge and change the judgments made in such cases, ensuring they could support trauma-informed responses with empathy and understanding. Her efforts in advocating for victims while improving police practices earned her recognition, including a commendation for integrating domestic abuse advocacy into public protection strategies. Jackie received acknowledgments from senior officers for the significant work undertaken in her role. Her pioneering work has left a lasting impact on both the community and police practices, helping create a more victim-centred approach. 

Her work also involved fostering relationships with ethnic minorities, including Gypsies and Travellers, who often face barriers to reporting domestic abuse. Jackie built relationships with these communities in a non-judgmental way, becoming a familiar face, they could turn to when they were ready to seek help and make changes. 

Jackie’s early work shaped her approach to supporting survivors of domestic abuse. She realised that safety and stability are foundational to addressing trauma. Victims often need immediate, tangible support—such as food, a roof over their heads, or safe people to trust—before they can process the abuse they’ve endured. By creating spaces of safety and dignity, whether in schools or specialist accommodations, Jackie has helped survivors reclaim a sense of control and begin healing. 

One particularly memorable experience for Jackie was refurbishing accommodation for young women and their babies. These weren’t just rooms; they were homes. Each arrival was greeted with thoughtful touches: dressing gowns, food parcels, and a warm, inviting environment. These small yet meaningful gestures instilled a sense of worth and stability, offering comfort and laying the foundation for healing amidst chaos. 

Collaboration: The Heart of Tackling Domestic Abuse 

Addressing the complex layers of domestic abuse requires multi-agency partnerships. Whether it's healthcare professionals recognising signs of abuse, social services advocating for victims, or schools creating safe environments for children, we need a coordinated response. 

At Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (STADA), collaboration lies at the heart of our work. The Coordinated Community Response (CCR) framework ensures no agency works in isolation, bringing together health services, housing providers, law enforcement, and specialist domestic abuse organisations to create a safety net for survivors. This approach not only improves outcomes for individuals but also challenges systemic inequalities that perpetuate abuse. 

Health services, in particular, play a critical role in this framework. Statistics show that only 1 in 5 survivors will report abuse to the police, yet all survivors interact with health services, whether in hospitals, GP practices, or mental health facilities. This makes health professionals uniquely positioned to intervene early and provide lifesaving support. 

"Health professionals have a unique opportunity to intervene. Survivors may visit A&E or mental health services multiple times before disclosing abuse—if we can recognise the signs and act early, the impact is transformative," Jackie notes. 

Through initiatives like the ‘Whole Health’ project, STADA has embedded health services within the CCR framework. This has transformed healthcare’s response to domestic abuse, ensuring survivors receive timely, integrated care. From safe discharge protocols in hospitals to mental health screenings that detect abuse, this model has strengthened pathways to safety and recovery for thousands of individuals. 

 
Intersectionality: Addressing Complex Realities 

For children and adults alike, the impact of domestic abuse cannot be understood without recognising the intersection of multiple identities and circumstances. Survivors from marginalised communities—ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people, those with disabilities, and older adults—often face compounded barriers when seeking help. These barriers also extend to children, particularly those living in deprivation. 

Jackie emphasises: "Survivors aren’t defined solely by their experience of abuse. Their identities, their histories, and their circumstances shape how they seek and receive help. At Standing Together, we ensure these realities inform every intervention." 

By incorporating intersectionality into health and social care responses, we can create systems that acknowledge these overlapping challenges and provide tailored support to those who need it most. Whether it’s addressing language barriers for migrant survivors or ensuring accessibility for those with disabilities, intersectionality ensures no survivor is left behind. 

Supporting the Next Generation: A Vital Focus 

Domestic abuse doesn’t only affect adults—it leaves an indelible mark on children who witness or experience it. These children often carry the trauma into their future, manifesting as behavioural challenges, mental health issues, or difficulties forming healthy relationships. Jackie’s commitment to children and young people drives her work, ensuring they receive the nurturing support they need to break cycles of violence and trauma. 

She reflects on her early experiences: 

"Children’s resilience is incredible, but they need to feel safe, seen, and supported to thrive. Whether it’s through small initiatives like breakfast clubs or larger systemic changes, we must create environments where they can heal and grow." 

The ripple effects of domestic abuse on children are profound. From acute injuries to long-term mental health issues such as depression, eating disorders, and self-harm, the challenges are both chronic and acute. Recognising these impacts and addressing them through tailored interventions is key to breaking intergenerational cycles of abuse. 

A Unified Vision for Change 

At Standing Together, the vision is clear: tackling domestic abuse requires collective action that is inclusive, survivor-centred, and focused on systemic change. From health professionals trained to recognise abuse to community-driven initiatives that support children and families, the CCR framework ensures no survivor is left behind. 

"Domestic abuse is a societal issue, and solving it requires breaking silos," Jackie says. "When agencies work together, they not only provide better support for survivors but also challenge the systemic inequalities that allow abuse to persist." 

By championing intersectionality, collaboration, and a commitment to the next generation, Standing Together transforms not just individual lives but entire communities. This holistic approach is crucial in creating a world where every child, family, and survivor can live free from violence.