Preparing a public perceptions study on the use of violent resistance as self-defence in domestic abuse cases

As the calls for reform to the existing defence framework for victims/survivors of domestic abuse who use violent resistance in response builds across practice, academia and third-sector organisations, it is opportune to learn what members of the public know about self-defence claims and how they think the defence should operate. Parliament was previously influenced by public perceptions of self-defence when it introduced the ‘householder defence’. As such, public opinion can be a valuable voice in the call for legal change. Finding out what the public know about self-defence claims and how they think self-defence should work may shape legal reform and provide insights into current awareness of the circumstances of those who offend in response to domestic abuse. This chapter covers the design of a public perception research study and explores how vignettes and facilitative questions were refined to capture public attitudes.