Partnership Learning

One of the main aims of the Coaction Hub project is to create an equitable partnership between two very different organisations, a specialist by and for agency, working directly with Black and minoritised survivors of domestic abuse and harmful practices and a second tier domestic abuse organisation. To work towards this we acknowledge the power dynamics inherent between us and work to minimize these through openness, trust-building, and with support from our learning partners. By doing so, we aim to set a model for the wider VAWG sector, showcasing how organisations can work together in equitable and collaborative ways, prioritising openness and mutual respect.

 In June 2023, the Coaction Hub Project hosted a world café event, bringing together individuals and agencies to share their valuable insights. The event was designed to support our research whilst simultaneously creating a reflective and creative space for collaboration, idea-sharing, and networking. The ideas generated from the day have been used as a basis for a series of briefings to support learning and further conversations on key themes around partnership and collaboration. Within the VAWG sector, these briefings provide essential insights and are crucial for enhancing learning and enriching conversations. They are critical tools to deepen understanding and inform best practices.

ALLYSHIP

This briefing highlights that while partnership, collaboration, and embedding anti-racism are crucial, true allyship extends beyond tokenistic and performative gestures. It requires working towards genuine, systemic change by challenging power imbalances to create more equitable and inclusive collaboration. Allyship briefing.

GOOD PRACTICE

This briefing on good practice emphasises key points on building knowledge-based partnerships and working collaboratively with survivors, contributing to meaningful dialogue across the sector. Good practice briefing

HARMFUL PRACTICES: STEREOTYPES, OTHERING AND RACIST NARRATIVES – A DISCUSSION

At the World Café event we asked participants:

Racist narratives around harmful practices mean that particular communities or religions are associated with specific types of harmful behaviour. Tell us how we could collectively build a counter narrative/ challenge these stereotypes within the multi-agency response?

At Coaction Hub we have been reflecting over the course of the project how we discuss harmful practices without ‘othering’ or stigmatising communities. This briefing reflects many of the discussions we have had – with each other and with colleagues across the VAWG sector, including by and for agency partners Harmful Practices Blog