In this powerful and reflective blog, Imogen Hirst, Senior Lecturer on the Policing Programme at UWE Bristol, reflects on the courage of domestic abuse survivors and considers the importance of placing lived experience at the heart of education, professional practice and wider conversations about domestic abuse.
In Imogen’s own words
On 16 June 2026, I had the privilege of hosting Surviving Domestic Abuse: From Silence to Voice at UWE Bristol. Delivered in partnership with the Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership Domestic Abuse Survivors Group, ‘WithHart’. The event brought together staff, students, practitioners and members of the wider community to listen, learn and reflect on the realities and lasting impact of domestic abuse.
More importantly, it created a space where survivor voices were placed at the centre of the conversation.
Creating a Space for Survivor Voices
The morning began with a welcome from Professor Peter Clegg, Head of the School of Social Sciences at UWE Bristol, whose opening remarks highlighted the importance of partnership working, community engagement and creating opportunities for lived experience to inform understanding and learning. Attendees then heard from the group lead about the origins and development of WithHart. What followed was both moving and memorable.
Courage, Creativity and Lived Experience
Three survivors shared deeply personal poems and letters to their younger selves. Their words spoke of fear, resilience, loss, survival and hope. The courage required to share such personal experiences with a room full of people was extraordinary. As the audience listened, there was a palpable sense of respect, reflection and connection.
The event was further supported by Dr Anne Eason, Associate Professor of Trauma Informed Learning and Practice and Sarah Williams, both Associate Directors of Policing, who spoke powerfully about the importance of genuinely listening to lived experience and ensuring that survivor voices inform both education and professional practice. They also acknowledged the extraordinary courage shown by the survivors in sharing deeply personal experiences through poetry, letters and artwork. Their contributions reinforced the importance of creating spaces where lived experience is not only heard but valued as a source of insight, learning and understanding.
Learning Through Art and Storytelling
Alongside the spoken contributions, attendees were able to engage with a range of creative work produced by members of the group. Large scale artwork, written pieces and recorded spoken word installations provided different ways of understanding and responding to experiences of domestic abuse. The exhibition encouraged visitors to spend time with the stories being shared and to engage with them at their own pace.
One of the most striking aspects of the event was the way in which creativity enabled voices to be heard. Through poetry, letters, visual art and spoken word, survivors communicated experiences that are often difficult to express through conventional discussion. The result was an event that was both challenging and inspiring.
The Role of Universities in Listening
For those of us working in higher education, the event also served as an important reminder of the value of lived experience. Universities have a vital role to play in creating opportunities for voices that are too often unheard. Events such as this allow us to move beyond statistics and policy discussions and engage with the human realities that sit behind them.
The feedback received throughout the day reflected the impact of what had been shared. Many attendees spoke about how powerful they found the personal stories, the artwork and the opportunity to reflect on experiences that are frequently hidden from public view.
Feeling Heard and Empowered
Perhaps most importantly, several of the survivors spoke afterwards about feeling genuinely heard and empowered. For individuals whose experiences have often been overlooked, dismissed or silenced, having the opportunity to share their stories in a supportive environment and knowing that people had truly listened was significant. The sense of empowerment that emerged from the event was powerful in itself and demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where lived experience is valued, respected and given a platform.
The event was made possible through the commitment, courage and generosity of the members of WithHart. Through their willingness to share their stories, creativity and experiences, they created an opportunity for meaningful learning, reflection and dialogue. Their contributions challenged assumptions, increased understanding and reminded all of us of the importance of listening to those with lived experience.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mim and all of the members of WithHart who contributed to the event. It was a privilege to work alongside them and to help create a platform where their voices could be heard.
The event was entitled “From Silence to Voice”. By the end of the day, it was clear that the survivors had not only found their voice but had also experienced the power of being truly listened to. Sharing their stories meant they felt valued, respected and empowered. In many ways, that may be one of the most important outcomes of all.
You can find out more about Hartcliffe & Withywood Community Partnership and the support on offer here
Editorial Team
Paul Williamson (Editor-in-Chief); Claudia McCready (Senior Lecturer); Claire Bowers (Senior Lecturer); Eve Smietanko (Joint Programme Leader & Senior Lecturer) and Ian Lowe (Senior Lecturer).