Research & Resources
At VictimFocus, we reinvest our profits into creating freely available research and resources for those subjected to abuse, those who have experienced trauma, and the professionals who support them. This section reflects our commitment to sharing evidence, insight, and practical tools that drive meaningful change.
Here you’ll find original research led by Dr Jessica Taylor, Doctoral Researcher Jaimi Shrive, and the wider VictimFocus team, alongside a wide range of trauma-informed resources including toolkits, factsheets, guides, and workbooks. Every item has been developed with care, ethics, and a deep understanding of the realities faced by victims and frontline services.
All materials are free to download, use, and share for personal or professional reference.
Please note that all content is copyright ©VictimFocus and must not be copied, edited, sold, or redistributed without permission. Do not remove any logos, branding, or authorship.
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Download our full guide here
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Download the full report here
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Download the full report here
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Download this guidance here
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Download full report here
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Download the full report here
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Download the full report here
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Download the full guidance here
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Download full report here
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Download the full report here
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Download the full report here
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Download full report here
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Download the full report here
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Download the full report here
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Download the full report here
VictimFocus Research & Reports
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This downloadable tool helps workplaces identify and challenge misogyny by assessing attitudes and behaviours across five levels, from everyday sexism to serious abuse, using clear, evidence-based indicators to support safer and more equal environments.
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This downloadable tool helps identify and address victim blaming in professional settings by highlighting common attitudes, myths, and harmful practices that minimise or shift blame onto victims of abuse.
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This downloadable tool helps organisations recognise and respond to vicarious trauma by assessing the emotional impact of trauma work on professionals and workplace culture.
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This downloadable tool supports professionals to identify and challenge the pathologisation of trauma, highlighting harmful attitudes toward mental health, distress, and diagnosis in services and partner agencies.
VictimFocus Toolkits
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This is a PDF version of our course ‘Caring for yourself After Sexual Violence’. It will take you through topics to support you in exploring how you care for yourself and process your own memories and feelings about being abused, raped, trafficked, exploited or assaulted.
Download the full Icelandic Translation here
Download the full Bulgarian Translation here
Download the full Hindi Translation here
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This free access E-learning course entitled 'Caring for yourself after sexual violence'. This course is written and presented by Dr Jessica Taylor and is available to anyone who has been subjected to sexual violence in childhood or adulthood. On this page you will find modules of information and videos to watch as you work through the materials at your own pace.
Briefly, this course will take you through the following topics to support you in exploring how you care for yourself and process your own memories and feelings about being abused, raped, trafficked, exploited or assaulted. -
Written by Dr. Jessica Taylor & Chloe Toomey
VictimFocus Free Self-Help Courses & Translations
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This is a PDF version of our course ‘Caring for yourself After Sexual Violence’. It will take you through topics to support you in exploring how you care for yourself and process your own memories and feelings about being abused, raped, trafficked, exploited or assaulted.
Download the full Icelandic Translation here
Download the full Bulgarian Translation here
Download the full Hindi Translation here
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Written by Dr. Jessica Taylor & Chloe Toomey
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Written by Chloe Toomey
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Written by Chloe Toomey
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Belief in a Just World is a common psychological bias that fuels victim blaming. This factsheet explains how these beliefs influence justice, services, and public attitudes - and why they’re so damaging to those subjected to abuse and trauma.
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Written by Sarah Buxton
VictimFocus Factsheets
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Free Trauma-Informed Medical Resource Pack
This free resource pack is designed to help medical professionals implement trauma-informed approaches in any healthcare setting. It offers practical tools to support women who have experienced abuse or trauma, particularly during appointments that may be distressing or triggering.What’s included:
A clear, accessible PDF guide for healthcare professionals on applying trauma-informed practice
A patient form to sensitively gather information about triggers, trauma responses, and how your service can adapt to individual needs
These resources are ideal for GPs, clinics, hospitals, mental health services, sexual health clinics, and any setting where compassionate, person-centred care matters.
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A free resource pack for medical professionals to implement trauma-informed practice and better support for victims and survivors of abuse and trauma when they visit the clinic for blood tests or injections/vaccinations.
The free resource pack includes:
A PDF guide for medical professionals
A patient form to collect data on triggers, trauma responses and how to improve practice for your patients.
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A free resource pack for medical professionals to implement trauma-informed practice and better support for victims and survivors of abuse and trauma when they visit doctors, hospitals or support services during pregnancy, birth, post-natal periods and beyond.
The free resource pack includes:
A PDF guide for medical professionals
A patient form to collect data on triggers, trauma responses and how to improve practice for your patients
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A free resource pack for medical professionals to implement trauma-informed practice and better support for victims and survivors of abuse and trauma when they visit the clinic or hospital for cervical screening or sexual health checks.
The free resource pack includes:
A PDF guide for medical professionals
A patient form to collect data on triggers, trauma responses and how to improve practice for your patients.
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This free 82-page guide by neuroscientist Dr Rachel Marchant challenges the assumption that hallucinations are always signs of mental illness. Drawing on scientific research, she shows that hallucinations are common across the general population—and often misunderstood.
Designed for professionals working with people aged 16+, this accessible resource explores different types of hallucinations (including visual, auditory, olfactory, and sensory), their emotional context, and how to approach them without stigma.
Includes:
A trauma-informed, anti-pathologising framework
Key theories, research, and practical guidance
Reflective questions and tools to support understanding
Optional interactive flashcards available alongside the handbook
Essential reading for anyone supporting people who has been subjected to or experienced trauma, distress, or abuse.
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A free resource pack for dental professionals to implement trauma-informed practice and better support for victims and survivors of abuse and trauma when they visit the dentist.
The free resource pack includes:
A PDF guide for dental professionals
A patient form to collect data on triggers, trauma responses and how to improve practice for your patients.