Martial Arts as part of recovery from GBV (a Study)

Have you suffered gender-based violence at some point in your life?

Would you like to take part in a research project exploring how Martial Arts have influenced your recovery journey from violence or abuse?  

Dr Chloe MacLean is a researcher at the University of the West of Scotland, a Martial Artist, and Geez A Gi Member. She has published a number of papers on the barriers that female athletes face in order to participate in sport at all levels. 

For this project she has teamed up with Dr Rebecca Gordon, also of the University of the West of Scotland, who specialises in research into Domestic Abuse, and helps write national policies on how to tackle this pandemic. 

Both women are currently researching the role of Martial Arts in woman's recovery from gender-based violence and would love to hear from you if you are a female martial artist who has experience gender-based violence at some point in your life. This research aims to inform approaches to teaching, so coaches can support GBV survivors in their recovery, and their Martial Arts journey. 

Participants will be asked to have a 1-2-1 conversation for roughly an hour, whereby they will be able to provide their story (as little or as much as they like) and how Martial Arts have help them. They will then be invited to generate, create, or find a picture that represents their journey past GBV. This along with their interview will be showcased at the Royal Society of Edinburgh Hall during the U.N.'s Month against GBV in December. 

If you would like to know more, or take part in a research conversation, or find out more information please contact Dr MacLean or Dr Rebecca Gordon at [email protected] or [email protected] respectively. 

All correspondence with Dr MacLean and Dr Gordon in relation to this project will be completely confidential, as will your participation in such.

If you, or someone you know, is or has experienced GBV and would like to talk to someone about it please use the links below.

On-going violence or threats of violence: dial 999, attend a station, or use the anonymous Police Scotland Contact Us form 

Women's Aid: Visit their website, Call them on 0131 266 6606, or email at [email protected] 

National Domestic Abuse Hotline (24hr): Call on 0800 027 1234, email them at [email protected], or visit sdafmh.org.uk