Annual Tackling Domestic Abuse Forum – Effective Support & Prevention

Throughout the Conference you will be able to make use of:

• Match making networking and live delegate meet ups
• Replay functions so you never miss a session
• Live chat, questioning and polling tools
• Real time resources and presentations
• A next generation conference engagement platform

Our team will run through how to make virtual connections, creating networking meet ups, accessing content on demand and how to use our new Q&A, chat functions and virtual polling tools.

With the Commissioner having recently gained unique statutory powers, this session will serve to update delegates on her work, explore the current state of the domestic abuse sector, and highlight positive changes as well as the Commissioner’s recommendations on work still to be done.

• Examine the key developments needed within the sector for both short- and long-term change based on the Commissioner’s recommendations
• Address the need to step up specialist support for LGBTQIA+ survivors and victims and to make all services more inclusive for LGBTQIA+ individuals
• Evaluate the need to tackle “immigrant abuse” to lessen the barrier that immigrant status is for victims leaving abusive relationships and ensure the safety of all victims
• Evaluate the latest government policy and funding initiatives following the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act passing

This session will include time for questions.

People with disabilities are three times more likely to experience domestic and other forms of abuse, and less likely than other victims to report it. Our panellists will discuss best practices for safeguarding this vulnerable community, and how to best reach them.

• Understand why people with disabilities are more likely to experience domestic abuse, and less likely to report it
• Examine strategies to overcome accessibility challenges and reach disabled victims to improve reporting rates
• Explore the role of different agencies, and how best to support disabled victims with complex needs for whom standard refuge or relocation services may not be appropriate, for example through “by and for” services

Participate in the discussion through our live chat feature.

Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections, tour our real-time resources and content and take part on discussions via the tailored channels.

Don’t forget if you’ve missed a session, you can use our replay functions, so you can watch all the content on demand at a time that suits you.

Tamar Nwafor is a lived experience leader. In this case study session she will explain how her experience as a survivor of domestic violence led her to set up the Lioness Circle providing support, representation, and a community for female survivors, primarily of BAME heritage, and unpack how involving survivors is key to making effective services.

• Listen to a survivor’s concerns about the sector and learn how she is addressing them serving underrepresented and disenfranchised BAME women and girls in her community
• Gain insight into how experts by experience can support other survivors in their communities through both emotional and practical support
• Examine a survivor perspective on how to improve services so that they are culturally sensitive and tailored to the needs of all victims

This session will include time for questions.

In this session the VAWG and Domestic Abuse Policy Manager from the Office of the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales will address the shortcomings in the support currently available for victims, and the work that needs to be done to build a justice system which works for all victims.

• Update from the Victims’ Commissioner focused on achieving support and justice for victims and survivors of DA
• Learn about the Commissioner’s work advocating for best practice in witness care where victims’ treatment encourages them to report crimes and seek justice
• Examine the barriers which prevent victims of DA from enforcing their rights and understand where progress needs to be made to overcome these

This session will include time for questions.

To ensure lasting behavioural change it is essential to positively engage those who use abuse in their relationships as early as possible after this behaviour begins and before it escalates. Respect’s Make a Change programme aims to do this providing a multi-tiered response model to ensure support is available for all affected parties and offering group-based intervention for people who are willing to engage with the programme and want to change. This session will explore both the policy behind Make a Change and guidance for practice.

• Examine what perpetration is and the factors that drive people to perpetrate violence in their intimate relationships
• Understand the necessity of an early response model to engage people who abuse and achieve lasting behavioural change
• Examine an overview of Respect’s Make a Change multi-tiered early response model

This session will include time for questions.

In this session the CEO of Standing Together Against Domestic Violence will cover the importance of multi-agency working to provide effective support services for survivors, and cover any gaps in service provision.

• Practical guidance on forming cross-community partnerships with housing, health, police, social services, local authorities, and faith organisations and using them effectively
• Evaluate best partnership practice in housing and shelter responses to domestic abuse to fulfil the new statutory duty to provide safe accommodation and specialist support services
• Explore how a coordinated approach helps to can address all needs, safeguard victims, and support perpetrators to change

This session will include time for questions.

Through this case study, learn how community partnerships can serve to raise awareness of domestic abuse and of the services available to victims. The Cut It Out campaign has seen the Thames Valley Police collaborate with local hairdressers and beauticians, equipping them with the skills to talk to and signpost victims, partly through the development of a training course for student hairdressers with Activate Learning.

• Learn through this case study how local partnerships can be formed to safeguard, detect cases early, and signpost victims to essential services
• Gain insight into how the Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit collaborated with Activate Learning using a ‘Trauma Informed Practice’ approach aiming to empower individuals
• Evaluate possibilities for your organisation to form similar partnerships with local actors in your community
• Examine how promoting the application of Clare’s Law can aid victims and potential victims to make informed decisions about their relationships and manage risk

This session will include time for questions.

As the Domestic Abuse Act has implemented new statutory duties for local authorities, it is essential that relevant bodies gain a clear understanding of what these entail and best practice to ensure their effective delivery. This session will use Women’s Aid’s national data base, taking an evidence-based approach to showcase best practice in specialist housing and support services.

• Examine what the statutory duty on local authorities is and what needs to have been delivered
• Showcasing the experience of specialist services across the country through Women’s Aid’s national data set
• Discuss what survivors need from safe accommodation and why specialist services, particularly those led by and for, are best placed to deliver this support
• Highlight examples best practice, but also understand what more is needed to support the aims of the duty

This session will include time for questions.

Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections, tour our real-time resources and content and take part on discussions via the tailored channels.

Don’t forget if you’ve missed a session, you can use our replay functions, so you can watch all the content on demand at a time that suits you.

Following the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s plea that migrant status can no longer be a barrier for victims to leave abusive relationships, this session aims to unpack how migrant victims can best be reached and supported.

• Understand why immigrant status is a risk factor in violence against women, the specific vulnerabilities that can prevent them from getting help, and how abusers can exploit these
• Gain insight into the shortcomings of the sector which stand in the way of “safety first” being the rule
• Evaluate best practices to access and support migrant victims of abuse, such as using data-sharing as a deterrent

This session will include time for questions.

The 2021 DA Act marked an important development as children were recognised as victims in their own right and not only “witnesses” of DA. Our panellists will discuss how to best support children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse, to break cycles of violence and help them on the path to healthy relationships.

• Evaluate the policy developments of the DA Act relating to children and young people
• Discuss strategies for supporting young victims, for example using the “Safe and Together” model
• Gain insight into working alongside young people who use violence in their family and intimate relationships by engaging them through a non-judgmental, trauma-informed approach

Participate in the discussion through our live chat feature.

Talk, Listen, Change has recently received over £1 million in funding for domestic abuse prevention services. Notably this will aid their work with young people who use violence against their partners or families. This session will focus on their work promoting healthy relationships with young people to break cycles of violence, and the funding process.

• Evaluate the importance of early intervention and a whole-family approach in preventative practices
• Gain insight into best practice when working with young people through non-judgemental healthy relationship counselling
• Learn about how small charities can form partnerships to secure multiple funding streams

This session will include time for questions.