Research Grounded in Practice
VIASTOP's research is rooted in the realities encountered through our work with victims and survivors, people who use violence, professionals, institutions and communities. This connection between research and frontline practice enables us to investigate not only the prevalence and characteristics of violence, but also how people experience violence, how professionals and institutions respond, and where gaps in protection and intervention remain.
Our research activity focuses particularly on domestic and intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, femicide and lethal violence, coercive control and stalking, victim experiences, risk assessment and management, perpetrator intervention, sexual violence, child safeguarding, workplace harassment, discrimination and gender equality.
Connecting Research, Practice and Policy
We view research as a tool for change. Our work aims to generate knowledge that can be translated into better assessment, stronger interventions, professional training, prevention strategies and evidence-informed policy.
This creates a continuous cycle:
FRONTLINE PRACTICE → RESEARCH QUESTIONS → EVIDENCE → PRACTICAL APPLICATION → EVALUATION → IMPROVED PRACTICE
VIASTOP also collaborates with academic researchers, universities, public authorities, criminal justice professionals, civil society organisations and European partners, bringing multidisciplinary perspectives to the study and prevention of violence.
Our Research Areas
Domestic & Intimate Partner Violence
Patterns of abuse, victim experiences, intervention and institutional responses.
Femicide & Lethal Violence
Risk factors, escalation, post-separation violence and opportunities for prevention.
Risk Assessment & Management
Developing and evaluating approaches that support professional decision-making and victim safety.
Perpetrator Intervention
Behavioral change, accountability, programme effectiveness and victim-safety-centered approaches.
Coercive Control & Stalking
Understanding patterns of domination, surveillance, intimidation and post-separation abuse.
Victim & Survivor Experiences
Examining how violence affects individuals and how victims experience services, justice and institutional responses
Gender Equality & Discrimination
Exploring structural inequalities and their relationship with violence, access to rights and social participation.
Emerging Forms of Violence
Including technology-facilitated violence, workplace harassment and other evolving forms of interpersonal and gender-based harm.
Evidence That Leads to Change
VIASTOP’s research is grounded in frontline experience. Our work with victims and survivors, people who use violence, police, judicial authorities and other professionals allows us to identify emerging needs, examine gaps in existing responses and contribute to evidence-informed approaches to prevention and intervention.
Our research focuses particularly on domestic and intimate partner violence, perpetrator intervention, risk assessment and management, femicide and lethal violence, policing, coercive control, victim protection and gender equality.
We seek to create a continuous connection between:
FRONTLINE PRACTICE → RESEARCH → EVIDENCE → INTERVENTION → POLICY → IMPROVED PRACTICE