Institute of Domestic Violence, Religion & Migration Launches to Address a ‘Silent Epidemic’ with Evidence-Based, Culturally Resonant Solutions

Projectdldl  and OCP News Service– 03/10/2025

London – UK: The Institute of Domestic Violence, Religion & Migration (IDVRM), has officially launched in the UK, specializing in developing and strengthening community-led, culturally resonant and faith-sensitive responses to domestic violence. The organization, founded by Dr. Romina Istratii, aims to fill a significant gap in support services for survivors from ethnic minority, religious, and migrant communities in the UK and internationally.
Domestic violence remains a widespread crisis, affecting millions globally. According to the Office for National Statistics, in England and Wales alone, an estimated 1.61 million women and 712,000 men were victims of domestic abuse in 2023-2024. For survivors within diverse communities, however, existing services often fall short, failing to account for the unique cultural, religious, and migration factors that impact their experiences and help-seeking options.
IDVRM was established to address this oversight. The organization is a collective of specialized researchers, practitioners, and community members dedicated to “decolonizing knowledge and systems” that overlook the needs of minorities. “Without contextual understanding, we cannot effectively support survivors from religious, ethnic minority, and migrant communities,” said Dr. Istratii, the founder of IDVRM. “My dedication to this work is deeply personal. I experienced the stresses of migration and domestic violence first-hand and witnessed the impact of structural inequalities.”
The Institute’s approach is guided by the “Project dldl/ድልድል Model,” a framework co-created with communities to develop evidence-based, culturally resonant, and faith-sensitive solutions. This model evolved from Dr. Istratii’s prior work as a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, where she led a ~£1.8 million project at SOAS, University of London. The project aimed to diversify and equalize responses to domestic violence across different societies and communities, and dldl/ድልድል, meaning “bridge” in Tigrigna, reflects the mission of connecting disciplines, sectors, and stakeholders.
To amplify the voices of those most often overlooked and to bridge the gap between policy, practice, and lived experience, IDVRM is currently fundraising to support its vital start-up costs. The funds will enable the launch of key community-based programs, including:
* ‘What Works’ Series of Workshops: Focusing on migrant survivor experiences to inform UK policy frameworks.
* Transforming Responses to Sexual Violence: Implementing a social care model in post-conflict Ethiopia.
* Understanding and Breaking Cycles of Violence: A program for displaced communities in the UK, Poland, and Ethiopia.
IDVRM invites the public to join their “decolonial effort” and help build a world where all survivors of domestic violence, regardless of their background, can find the support they need to exit abusive situations and thrive.

Source:

OCP News Service