What does it really take to respond safely, ethically, and effectively to intimate partner violence and abuse (IPVA)?
This was the driving question behind our recently delivered and very successful Master’s level unit on IPVA, developed as part of our MA Leading and Developing Services programme. The unit reflected our commitment to supporting professionals to develop safe, ethical, and critically informed practice when working with people who experience intimate partner violence and abuse. It allowed space to pause and think more deeply about that work.
Why this unit matters now more than ever…
Intimate partner violence and abuse remains a persistent and complex social issue, with significant consequences for individuals, families, services and communities. Professionals across health, social care, criminal justice and related fields are increasingly expected to recognise, respond to and support those affected by IPVA – often within complex organisational and legal frameworks.
The unit encourages students to critically reflect on their own practice and improve their understanding of coercive control, recognising its central role within domestic abuse. The unit is designed for professionals in roles where they encounter and support victim/survivors, including practitioners and leaders with safeguarding, support, referral and management responsibilities.
Responding to professional and legislative responsibilities
The course is closely aligned to the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which places new and strengthened responsibilities on a range of professionals and services. These include:
- Local authorities, who have a duty to assess support needs, deliver domestic abuse strategies, provide support for children, and ensure access to safe accommodation and specialist services for victims with complex needs
- General practitioners, who are expected to have clear protocols for identifying and responding to domestic abuse
- Social workers, who must address the needs of children living with domestic abuse as well as those of adult victim/survivors
- Police, with responsibility for responding to incidents and investigating offences
- Employers, who are increasingly recognised as having a role in understanding and responding to the impact of domestic abuse on employees
Understanding these responsibilities in practice isn’t always straightforward. Professionals need a shared understanding of IPVA and what constitutes coercive and controlling behaviour. This unit provides students with the theoretical, legal and practice foundations needed to meet these expectations with confidence and care.
What the unit covers
The unit combines research and practice, engaging students with contemporary debates, evidence and frameworks. Key topics include:
- The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and its implications for practice and leadership
- The social context of IPVA, including age, culture, race and religion, gender and sexuality, disability, and the importance of intersectionality
- Key theories and models, including the Duluth Model, the Homicide Timeline, and social constructionist perspectives
- In‑depth exploration of coercive and controlling behaviours
- The short, medium and long‑term impacts of IPVA, including the effects on children
- Support, safeguarding and risk management, including legislation, safety planning and signposting
Through these themes, students are encouraged to critically examine how understandings of IPVA are shaped by professional, organisational, social and cultural contexts.
Developing reflective and accountable practice
A central feature of the unit is its emphasis on critical reflection. Students are supported to reflect on their own approaches to working with victim/survivors, drawing on research, legislation and evidence‑based practice. They are encouraged to consider not only what they do, but how and why they do it – including the impact of professional values, power, and organisational cultures.
Looking ahead
The success of this unit demonstrates the importance of embedding specialist education on intimate partner violence and abuse within postgraduate and professional programmes. By equipping practitioners and leaders with the knowledge, skills and reflexivity required to respond safely and effectively, this course contributes to the development of good practice in both policy and practice, with the ultimate aim of improving outcomes for victim/survivors of IPVA