Leiden University research offers tips for supporting victims of unsafe relationships

Research conducted by Marieke Liem, a professor of Safety and Intervention Studies at Leiden University, provides guidance for bystanders observing unhealthy or unsafe relationships. The study, conducted for the Femicide Monitor, involved conversations with dozens of victims of serious partner violence.

Because victims often take more than thirty incidents before seeking professional help, observers frequently recognize patterns of coercive control earlier than the victim. To assist, five practical tips were identified: initiating an open conversation to validate the victim's experience, avoiding judgment, offering tangible practical support, maintaining consistent contact, and allowing the victim to retain control over their own decisions.