Partnership Learning
The Coaction Hub is a partnership project between two very different organisations: AWRC, a by and for agency with over 40 years of expertise in supporting survivors of domestic abuse and harmful practices, and STADA, a second-tier organisation working to bring services and communities together through the Co-ordinated Community Response. Collaboration and partnership are at the heart of our work: both with each other and with partners within the sector.
One of the main aims of the project is to create an equitable partnership between the two organisations by acknowledging the power dynamics inherent between them and working 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 a by and for agency and a second-tier domestic abuse organisation 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. We deeply appreciate the contributions of all participants. The event was designed to support our research while creating a reflective and creative space for collaboration, idea-sharing, and networking. Participants engaged in discussions focused on Good Practice, Allyship, and Addressing Racist Narratives with a focus on Harmful Practices (HPs), MARACs, and Risk Assessments.
The feedback has been compiled into briefings to support learning and further conversations on these important themes. 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.
What Does Good Practice Look Like?
The briefing on Good Practice particularly emphasises key points on building knowledge-based partnerships and working collaboratively with survivors, contributing to meaningful dialogue across the sector.
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. Equally important to have an intersectional feminist lens which is essential when working with survivors.
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.
BRIEFING ON DOWRY BASED ABUSE
Dowry abuse persists as a significant issue within the UK, particularly impacting South Asian communities. Despite its prevalence and remains inadequately identified and largely unexplored as a harmful practice.
To enhance knowledge and understanding of this harmful practice, explore Coaction's briefing:
