Policy Briefings and Position Papers

Briefings

Policy briefing: Non-sexual violence against women in conflict: bringing evidence to the women, peace and security National Action Plan

Conflicts can have a disproportionate impact on women and girls not only through sexual violence but also through non-sexual and collective attacks. The latter include attacks on female spaces, for example, girls’ schools and maternity hospitals, and the deliberate targeting of residential buildings, which are the main cause of female casualties from explosive weapons. Collective violence against women occurs in many conflicts, such as Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen, among others.

Our research finds that state and non-state actors committed to female exclusion are more likely to perpetrate this type of violence, while higher levels of female empowerment reduce its risk.

Policy briefing: Clare’s Law 10 Year on: Is it working for victims and survivors?

Clare’s Law - formally the domestic violence disclosure scheme (DVDS) - has been running for more than 10 years in England and Wales. Over the last decade over 100,000 DVDS applications have been made. Disclosures have become an important part of domestic abuse safeguarding work in policing. Demand for disclosure has become so high that some forces are introducing AI to automate searches in police records and draft disclosure scripts. The DVDS has also become controversial.

This briefing presents evidence from the largest and most systematic study to date of disclosure schemes. It highlights what is working and why, how we compare internationally, and where we can improve to better protect and empower victims and survivors.

Policy briefing: Regulations addressing animal welfare issues during live transportation

Live animal transportation is associated with many welfare concerns including distress, injuries and prolonged hunger and thirst.

While the EU is in the process of updating its animal transport regulatory framework, the UK only published a series of propositions in 2021 that have not been translated into laws (with the exception of a recent ban in live exportation for slaughter), leaving important gaps in protection unaddressed.

Create a new policy briefing

If you would like to discuss creating a policy briefing based on your research please contact policy-engagement@essex.ac.uk

Papers

• How Public Engagement Improves Lives: Principles, Typology and Evidence (.pdf) by Jules Pretty
• Blue-Green Regeneration for Seaside Communities and Coastal Ecosystems (.pdf) by Jules Pretty and Phil Ward