Victims’ Voice Project

The Empowered Voices Panel, formally known as the Victim’s Voice Panel (commissioned by the Manchester City Council) is a project administered jointly by CAHN (Caribbean & African Health Network) Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse and the Manchester City Council.

Manchester City Council operates several local government services that aim to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse within Manchester.

CAHN’s approach includes ways to improve these services and empower victims of domestic violence through the stories of survivors.

The journey of this project began with an enthusiastic group of panellists in February 2023, marking the beginning of an exciting pilot phase. As the months unfolded, these dedicated individuals engaged in dynamic discussions and shared invaluable insights. Their efforts culminated in a vibrant celebratory event in February 2024, where we honoured their contributions and commemorated the progress made throughout this transformative experience. (EVENTS – CAHN)

It’s important to recognise the valuable support from the Manchester City Council (MCC) throughout this process. MCC’s proactive engagement with the panel demonstrated a genuine interest in exploring the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the report.

Their commitment to continuous improvement was evident in their decision to extend the panel’s commission for another two-year period, which has been met with enthusiasm. The members of the second cohort are excited to contribute to this vital work, and their strong co-production in the activities reflects a collaborative spirit that promises effective outcomes.

1. The Aim of the Panel is to

Engage with victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse from diverse backgrounds to understand the gaps within the current service provision and gather feedback to help improve Manchester Council’s services.
Collate information to help inform future decision-making and create an inclusive and user-friendly service at the Manchester City Council.
Feedback: Engage with victims of Domestic and Sexual Abuse and gather feedback on how we tackle Violence Against Women and Girls across the Partnership.

2. Our Objectives

Reaching out to and engaging with victims from other backgrounds.
Establish a Victims’ Panel with people with lived experience.
Amplify the voices of service users.
Collate information to help improve current service provision and inform future decision-making.
Contribute to the DA Partnership Board with either written or verbal updates.
Contribute to the VAWG Steering Group with either written or verbal updates.

3. Panel Recruitment

We extend our immense gratitude to all individuals who expressed their interest in joining the Panel Recruitment and generously offering their voices to this noble cause. We deeply appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication.

We understand that many may be interested in joining our panel, and we truly appreciate your enthusiasm. Recruitment typically occurs at the end of a panel’s term to renew our membership. Although we are not currently in the recruiting phase, we would love to hear from anyone interested in exploring this opportunity. Your interest means a lot to us.

If you have any questions or would like to reach out, please don’t hesitate to email us at dvsa@cahn.org.uk. We’re here to help!