Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies (CATS)
The Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies (CATS) is a centre for research, practice and training on issues of trauma and abuse based at Kingston University, led by Professor Julia Davidson and Professor Antonia Bifulco.
In early 2011 the Lifespan Research Group, formerly part of the Health and Social Care Department at Royal Holloway, University of London, formally became part of CATS by joining Kingston University.
The scope of the Centre draws upon research expertise, teaching and knowledge exchange of its directors and members to further the understanding, treatment and policy implications of abuse and trauma and its consequences.
CATS provides research, consultancy, media advice, practice training, continuing professional development, knowledge transfer and learning in a broad range of abuse-related topics across the lifespan, including both the victim and perpetrator perspective in areas such as child and family abuse, elder abuse, social work, bullying and victimisation, internet abuse and internet safety, forensic science and criminology, legal perspectives, government policy and human rights, and psychological disorders associated with abuse and trauma. The centre aims to disseminate such knowledge in the scientific, policy, public and community domains and across the disciplines of psychology, sociology, criminology, social services, law and psychiatry.
The provision for research and practice within the Centre consists of a diverse array of services such as:
- Service evaluations
- child safeguarding;
- police practice with vulnerable victims;
- educational services around abuse prevention; and
- interagency working of professionals.
- Providing workshops and short training courses on abuse/trauma-related topics
- internet abuse;
- interviewing child victims;
- risk assessment of serious offenders;
- child abuse assessment;
- human rights;
- child safeguarding; and
- self-evaluation and research tools
- Consultancy for researchers and practitioners
The Centre consolidates expert support from a wide array of partners, and its partners include voluntary organisations, statutory services and potential funders, as well as universities and research centres.
