Martia Bevan

My research is funded by the ERSC through the South Coast Training Partnership within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The research explores visually impaired women’s lived experience of surviving towards thriving following domestic abuse from a male partner.

My study will use qualitative research to analyse participants lived experience of the abusive relationship/s , as told by survivors. It will comprise of unstructured interviews and a creative writing element to piece together ‘Her’ story. The research will serve to inform support systems and ensure the lived experiences of visually impaired female survivors are incorporated into service provision and policy.

My therapeutic background, personal and professional experience of domestic abuse and visual impairment combines to fuel a passion for the research topic and remind me of the need to work sensitively and ethically with participants.

In addition to substantial CPD and training in domestic abuse and visual impairment, I have volunteered and worked therapeutically with both client groups. I am accredited with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I am also  an accredited sight loss counsellor. My interest in creative writing stems from a personal portfolio, courses and training events and therapeutic writing groups