Project Bright Light: Transforming the police response to domestic abuse: Findings Report

Robinson, Amanda L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5071-850X, Hohl, Katrin, Westmarland, Nicole, Johnson, Kelly, Williams, Emma, Lovett, Jo, Kelly, Liz, Vera-Gray, Fiona and May, Tiggey 2025. Project Bright Light: Transforming the police response to domestic abuse: Findings Report. [Project Report]. UK: ..

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Abstract

The Bright Light project, which took place between January and May 2025, aimed to lay the foundation for radically improving the police response to domestic abuse. It applied the ‘six Pillar’ methodological approach established by Operation Soteria. This involved close police-academic co-production to collect, analyse and interpret a range of data sources to examine the following six topics: (1) investigation and safeguarding; (2) disruption and deterrence; (3) victim-centred response; (4) learning, development and officer wellbeing; (5) data and performance; and (6) digital evidence. Our data sources included: 3-year dataset of all domestic abuse incidents and crimes recorded by the force during 2022-24; analysis of a subset of case files and digital processing notices; approximately 30 focus groups and 60 interviews with police; online survey of partner agency perspectives; multiple in-person site visits and online observations of meetings; review of body-worn video, force policies, guidance and templates along with other relevant information. The overall aim of the research was to map the force’s current approach to domestic abuse to suggest evidence-informed, practical ideas to help transform how police operate in each of the six Pillar areas. Specific findings from each of the Pillars are described in sections of this report. These findings coalesce into an overarching theme: the statutory definition of domestic abuse is too broad for effective operational policing. Conflating various victim-suspect relationships into a single domestic abuse category challenges police operations and compromises the delivery of victim-centred, suspect-focused, and context-led policing. Consequently: • There is a lack of clarity over how best to disrupt and deter suspects. • Victims’ goals, interests and safety are subsumed, rather than central. The current response to victims often fails to deliver a procedurally just approach, compounding their negative experiences. • Police data is distorted by flagging and recording requirements, obscuring the nature of the problem and how police respond to it. • Compounding these challenges is the increasing volume of domestic abuse cases, particularly complex course of conduct offences, which existing police structures cannot effectively handle. • A substantial proportion of this complex work stays with patrol, without officers being provided with the necessary training, time or resources to investigate them properly. • Learning and development does not equip police officers and staff with the necessary skills and training to be able to tackle these investigations effectively, and these challenges are exacerbated when digital evidence is involved. • Significant police time is expended on domestic abuse risk assessment, but the current tools and process-driven approach contribute to ‘incidentalism’, rather than assisting officers in identifying patterns of harm and responding appropriately. These findings reflect significant and systemic issues affecting all police forces across England and Wales, leading us to propose national policy implications. In addition, they point to the need for a transformational change programme based on these findings to enable police to consistently deliver victim-centred, suspect-focused, and context-led responses to domestic abuse.

Item Type:	Monograph (Project Report)
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Research Institutes & Centres > Security Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute (SCIII) Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman
Publisher:	.
Funders:	Avon and Somerset Police & Crime Commissioner
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	14 November 2025
Last Modified:	17 Nov 2025 16:06
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/182350

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