The StoP Toolbox shares the knowledge and findings of 30 years of fieldwork, research and training. It provides you with the tools – theoretical frameworks, insights from StoP fieldwork, methods and techniques – to learn about and fully understand the StoP model of community-based work on domestic violence.
Here you will find texts, audios, videos and guidelines that explain why StoP is necessary, why it makes sense and how we do it. At the heart of the toolbox is the eight-step StoP cycle of action: the eight steps describe how to implement StoP and also provide specific resources from the field.
Who is the toolbox for?
The toolbox is for anyone who wants to be part of social change to end domestic violence in their neighbourhood:
- StoP activists/coordinators in centres looking for further inspiration
- people from the field, politics, authorities who are considering starting or supporting StoP projects
- StoP trainers and trainees who can find their training materials here
- students who want to deepen their knowledge of community work and gender relations
- people who want to know more about the approach
The goal is the same for all participants: to end violence against women. However, these audiences are diverse – which means that the toolkit is designed to be as accessible as possible and at the same time to fulfil different requirements. There is also a public and a member only section. The member only section contains further resources and addresses users who are already part of the StoP network, have completed a StoP training or are currently undergoing the training.
“At first I was sceptical about talking to people about domestic violence, but it turned out that you can talk about it in different creative ways.”
How is the toolbox structured?
The use of the toolbox is as varied and independent as its users are – we know that, and that's a good thing. We suggest that anyone looking for guidance follows the structure in the extended menu.
Rationale: Why is StoP needed?
The first section (rationale) describes the need to find new ways forward to fight domestic violence. It clarifies the definition and empirical data on the forms and extent of domestic violence. This empirical phenomenon is then theorised and analysed: How is violence embedded in social power relations?
The collection and presentation of interventions and approaches to the problem shows that there are very different approaches in the participating countries: Counselling centres, women's shelters, survivors' groups – but also neighbourhood work and networking. However, there is a gap between where domestic violence happens – in private places in the neighbourhood – and the support system. StoP is the answer to this gap.
Approach: What is StoP?
This is explained in the second section (Approach). It explains why this approach is particularly suited to tackling domestic violence before it happens and how it can be justified in terms of both social work and a theory of social change. Community work/community organising is presented in terms of its historical development and theoretical and practical concepts. There is also an overview of internationally related approaches and their effectiveness.
Practice: How to do StoP?
After the two explanatory sections, the third section focuses on practice: the eight steps of StoP. Here you will find a description and a publicly available resource for each step. These steps are complemented by a summary of experiences from previous StoP work and how these can be used for further StoP projects (Practice).
“Working as a StoP organiser, getting the word out about the problem and talking to everyone about it, is a real gift for me.”
How to use the toolbox?
Different users – different uses!
The toolbox tries to appeal to different interests – in-depth discussion, curious exploration, concrete practical help. For this reason, there is a summary at the top of each page – this provides a fast track through the StoP concept. We have often added examples or testimonials from StoP practice to the explanations and rationales.
The core of the toolbox – the eight steps – contains a conceptual and practical description of each step. Examples of resources are provided for each step.
For assigned StoP practitioners and trainees, all resources can be found in the members only area. The resources include advice and information on how to implement them. Where possible and necessary, supporting materials (presentations, templates, etc.) are also made available.
Potential and limitations of the toolbox
The resources provide easy access to materials needed for StoP work – but also for StoP training. They may need to be adapted to the specific context. For this reason, some resources are only available in the members area, i.e. reserved for people who have participated in the StoP training. The resources themselves do not provide their rationale and conceptual basis – this can be found in the “rationale” and “approach” sections. Nor do they clearly state their orientation and integration into the StoP concept – this is the function of the eight steps to which the tools are assigned. The StoP Toolbox as a whole aims to present the concept and approach, to stimulate reflection and to motivate implementation. For this reason, there are materials for all levels – but not all on one page. Countries with different StoP projects have their own StoP websites, which inform the public about the projects and provide further working materials in a members only area – and other resources for the public in terms of public relations.
