89. Surviving Violence, Shaping Justice - Janine Ewen’s Story

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Justice and law touch every aspect of our lives, yet we rarely think about them until they directly impact us or those we love. When they fail, the consequences can be devastating, especially for the most vulnerable among us.

Janine Ewen's story begins in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, where political conflict formed the backdrop to a more intimate violence. As a child witnessing her father's abuse of her mother, Janine learned early what it means when systems fail to protect those they should. Her vivid descriptions of putting beds against doors, her brother sleeping with his shoes on ready to escape, and police officers who advised her mother to "go back and calm the situation down" reveal the profound gaps in our approaches to domestic abuse.

After escaping to Scotland with her mother and brother, the family found temporary safety in a women's refuge. Yet even there, the shadow of abuse followed them, as her father repeatedly attempted to locate them despite court orders prohibiting contact. It wasn't until his death decades later that her mother finally felt truly safe – a stark reminder of how lasting the impact of domestic violence can be.

What makes Janine's journey remarkable is how she's transformed these experiences into a driving force for change. With over two decades of work in victim support, public health, and harm reduction, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her advocacy. Her passionate critique of family courts, which often enable abusers to maintain control through legal means, and her emphasis on early mental health support for children experiencing domestic violence offer concrete pathways toward more effective and humane approaches.

Through creative methodologies that give ownership back to survivors and a commitment to highlighting both system failures and possibilities for reform, Janine exemplifies the vital role that survivor voices must play in reshaping our justice system. Her message to others – "you're not alone" – carries the weight of someone who truly understands both the isolation of abuse and the power of community in healing.

Credits

Guest: Janine Ewen - Specialist in Public Health, Safety and Childhood Vulnerability

Producer: Charlotte Janes

Soundtrack: Particles (Revo Main Version) by [Coma-Media]

Read more of Janine's work here:

https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/all/news-views/2024/november/exploring-the-impact-of-childhood-violence-on-young-people-and-adults/

https://www.researchinpractice.org.uk/children/news-views/2025/june/eliciting-conversations-with-young-people-on-safety-harm-and-place/

https://vulnerabilitypolicing.org.uk/working-in-policing-and-vulnerability-insider-tips-from-an-early-career-researcher-and-harm-reduction-specialist/

If you or someone you know is living with domestic abuse, help is available:

National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge): 0808 2000 247

Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline: 1800 341 900

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