Dewis Choice

Based at the Centre for Age, Gender and Social Justice at Aberystwyth University, the Dewis Choice Initiative has co-produced a grassroots intervention, designed by the community, specifically to support older victim-survivors of domestic abuse perpetrated by a partner, ex-partner, and/or adult family member. Piloted in two regions in Wales, Dewis Choice has provided intensive support to individuals, aged 60 years and over, to make informed choices about: safety; civil, criminal, and restorative justice option; and well-being in recovery. This rights-based approach ensures that older victim-survivors of domestic abuse are not discriminated against on account of age, gender, sexuality, or disability. The research is also the first of its kind to conduct a prospective longitudinal study examining decision-making in the context of domestic abuse in later life. Our research is also the first of its kind, our study follows people over time to understand how they make decisions in situations of domestic abuse when they're older, which informs our training.