Skip to main content
Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (CRiVA)
Someone sitting thinking

Celebrating 10 years of world-leading research

Based in North East England, the Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse (CRiVA) has been dedicated to designing and enhancing research-led education, policy and practice since 2013. The work of our world-leading researchers informs and improves legal, professional and societal responses to violence and abuse.

We are passionate about supporting people who have experienced violence and abuse, but also about ending it.
Join us as a member
A group of people posing for a photo
This is the image alt text

Our 10 year highlights

We're so proud of the work of our world-leading researchers over the last 10 years, from PhDs, book launches, publications and awards. Together, we will end violence and abuse.

Find out more Join us as a member

Blogs

The driving force behind our 50+ multi-disciplinary team is to end violence and abuse. Meet some of our incredible members below whose work is focused on this.

Our members

Nicole Westmarland

Nicole is Co-Founder & Director of CRiVA and a Professor in the Department of Sociology. Her work consists around 30 projects in the field of male violence against women.
A person wearing glasses

Simon Hackett

Simon is Co-Founder of CRiVA and a Professor (Director of Research) in the Department of Sociology. His work is focused on harmful sexual behaviour displayed by children.
A bald man wearing glasses and a shirt with blazer

Nikki Rutter

Nikki is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and joined CRiVA in 2019. Her interest is child and family experiences, expressions, and responses to harm.
A woman with long dark hair wearing a denim jumpsuit

Geetanjali Gangoli

Geetanjali is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and joined CRiVA in 2020. Her work aims to understand and prevent gendered violence and abuse.
A headshot of a woman smiling with long dark hair

Nicole Renehan

Nicole joined CRiVA when she became Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology, teaching violence and abuse in its many forms to undergraduates and postgraduates.
A woman smiling with long dark hair wearing a scarf

Stephen Burrell

Stephen is Deputy Director of CRiVA and an Assistant Professor (Research) in the Department of Sociology. His research specialism is men, masculinities, and violence.
A man with a beard and long dark hair

Lynne Cairns

Lynne is a Postgraduate Researcher in the Department of Sociology focused on child abuse and children’s rights. She joined CRiVA in 2020 and became a coordinator in 2021.
A headshot of a woman smiling with long brown hair

Ayurshi Dutt

Ayurshi is a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Sociology teaching Criminology modules and joined CRiVA in 2019 when she started her PhD.
A girl smiling in a red jumper

Florence-Olivia Genesse

Florence-Olivia is a Postgraduate Researcher in the Durham Law School, specialising in issues of sex equality under international and domestic law.
A girl smiling with her arms crossed

Janelle Rabe

Janelle is a Postgraduate Researcher coordinator of CRiVA and addresses sexual violence against young people using participatory, collaborative, and creative approaches.
A headshot of a girl smiling in a multi coloured dress

Lihan Miao

Lihan is a Postgraduate Researcher and joined CRiVA in 2022. Her research delves into the representation and responses to domestic violence on social media platforms.
A headshot of a girl wearing glasses with short dark hair

Kirsten Hall

Kirsten joined CRiVA as an ESRC Post Doctoral Research Fellow. Her areas of research interest include domestic abuse, children, home and housing.
A woman smiling for the camera

Spacer

 

200+ books and research papers in 10 years
Over 1 million readers in 10 years
Successfully awarded 40+ PhDs in 10 years
15+ awards for research impact in 10 years

Recent research impact

Join us as a member

Do you have an interest in violence and abuse research? Do you want to make an impact and advocate change? Join our growing network of passionate and supportive community of researchers.