Overview
Now in its 7th year, the Annual Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Forum will once again provide the opportunity to connect with peers and discuss the latest updates with sector leaders in tackling violence, abuse and harassment directed towards women and girls. A key focus at this year’s event will be analysing the impact of COVID-19, particularly on domestic abuse, and considering how to recover from this, including by utilising new powers and opportunities afforded by the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act.
Finally given Royal Assent in April 2021, this long-awaited piece of legislation has broadened the legal definition of domestic abuse to include emotional, coercive or controlling behaviour, and economic abuse. With new support measures for victims and survivors, and additional powers for police including Domestic Abuse Protection Notices, this event will provide the opportunity to examine what such measures mean for different stakeholders involved in responding to and preventing VAWG, and discuss best practice joined-up working for a successful multi-agency approach.
Key Features of an Online IG Event
Key Speakers
Other Speakers
Agenda
- Day 1
- Day 2
Use this time to explore the agenda for the day and make new connections with peers.
A short explainer video will help you explore how to make the most of our new next generation Conference platform.
You’ll be able to create networking meet ups, access content on demand and use our new Q&A, chat functions and virtual polling tools.
This session will outline the key features of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 that enshrines powers for the Domestic Abuse Commissioner into law, highlighting functions and powers that will strengthen the governments’ response to domestic abuse, and monitor the quality of service provision.
The Commissioner will also discuss her role in holding local government to account for their role in tackling domestic abuse and highlight funding and support available for local authorities and their partner agencies, including to provide accommodation for those who cannot safely stay at home.
This session will include time for questions.
- Understand when and how Domestic Abuse Protection Notices will be used by police to provide immediate protection for victims from abusers
- Learn how police can further strengthen partnership working with other agencies working to tackle domestic abuse including in education, probation, health and social care and housing
- Examine how police can respond to the broadened definition of domestic abuse to help prevent and tackle controlling and coercive behaviour, and also improve first-responder support for children witnessing domestic abuse
This session will include time for questions.
This session will explore proactive approaches to reducing violence through a public health perspective, in line with Public Health England’s focus on tackling the pandemic of VAWG as a public health problem.
Key takeaways will include:
- Learning what an effective structural approach to bridging services across the NHS, social care and the third sector looks like
- Ways of integrating mental health into major trauma clinical pathways, and strengthening the use of social prescribing, as key methods of preventing violence
- How to improve the collection and use of data to prevent and respond to violence
- Learn how the London-based Violence Reduction Academy will develop and share evidence-based approaches, and how findings and best practice can be utilised across NHS Trusts
This session will include time for questions.
Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content from speakers and wider experts.
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.
This session will outline details and future plans around the Home Affairs Committee’s new inquiry into violence against women and girls, including investigations and prosecutions of rape.
Sharing updates from evidence gathered around different forms of abuse and how VAWG effects different parts of society, as well as how this relates to recent Government updates including the Domestic Abuse Act and Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, this session will offer guidance on creating long-term strategies for ending VAWG.
This will also be an opportunity to learn more about the Government’s VAWG strategy 2021-2024, and how the work of the Committee is feeding into this.
This session will include time for questions.
Hear the survivor perspective on current approaches to how agencies respond to VAWG, as well as on what the Domestic Abuse Act really means for how victims and survivors will be supported. Advice will also be offered on how multi-sector partnerships can strengthen approaches, separate to legislative powers and requirements.
Key takeaways will include:
- How to ensure effective responses for groups not explicitly included in the new legislation
- Practical strategies for meeting the intersectional needs of victims and survivors
- Responding to the increased demand for services as a result of COVID-19
This session will include time for questions.
- Understanding what the CCR means for local areas, and how they can improve their responses to domestic abuse
- Highlighting practical ways for service providers to improve communication and collaboration for a better multi-agency support network for survivors
- Discussing how the CCR can help to hold abusers to account
- Utilising the CCR to recover from the impact of COVID-19 on domestic abuse and VAWG more broadly
This session will include time for questions.
Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content from speakers and experts.
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.
*Programme subject to change
Use this time to explore the agenda for the day and make new connections with peers.
A short explainer video will help you explore how to make the most of our new next generation Conference platform.
You’ll be able to create networking meet ups, access content on demand and use our new Q&A, chat functions and virtual polling tools.
- Examine progress in delivering the Domestic Abuse Act – including through the new statutory duty on local authorities to fund support in safe accommodation, and wider reforms to housing and the justice system
- Discuss the new Violence Against Women and Girls and proposed Domestic Abuse Strategy, and how to deliver an integrated response to tackling VAWG locally
- Learn about the Change That Lasts plan and process to ensure women get the right response to domestic abuse the first time they disclose an issue – and how to ensure this is embedded across all agencies involved, including health, police, housing and local authorities
- Explore the evidence base and economic benefits for delivering long-term sustainable funding for specialist women’s domestic abuse services
This session will include time for questions.
Delegates will be invited to contribute questions and comments throughout for consideration and discussion among the panel.
- Discussing the range of first responses required for different types of abuse disclosed, including economic abuse, harassment in public, controlling behaviour, or sexual violence
- Examining structures of multi-agency working to effectively respond to different types of abuse, including how this may differ depending on whether police teams are involved
- Considering the long-term support that is needed in different situations, such as financial advice and support, trauma therapy, or witness protection
Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content from speakers and experts.
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.
Delegates will be invited to contribute questions and comments throughout for consideration and discussion among the panel.
- Methods for engaging with men and boys in formal and informal contexts to raise awareness of violent behaviour and cultural norms that need changing in order to tackle VAWG
- Tackling ‘everyday’ sexual harassment through education and awareness raising strategies, including through public campaigns in collaboration with policymakers
- Working with agencies involved in responding to violence and harassment, including rape, such as specialist and non-specialist police staff to tackle negative perceptions of female victims
As the only UK charitable funder dedicated to supporting women’s and girls’ organisations, in March 2021 Rosa took over the ‘Reclaim These Streets’ crowdfund which had surpassed all expectations after being established in the wake of Sarah Everard’s death.
In this session, Rebecca will share updates on how over £500,000 of public donations are being spent in local communities through expert organisations concerning all aspects of VAWG, including:
- Preventing VAWG by working with perpetrators
- Providing first-line responses to women disclosing abuse and violence
- Delivering long-term support and recovery pathways for women to overcome trauma
This session will include time for questions.
This session will provide you with an opportunity to connect with colleagues working in similar and partner agencies and organisations to tackle VAWG and provide effective support for all women experiencing abuse.
In small break out groups, discuss your key learnings from all sessions through the event, strategise next steps with each other, and consider practical steps to work together more effectively.
Your opportunity to make the most of the virtual Conference, meet up with fellow delegates, make connections and tour our real-time resources and content from speakers and experts.
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.
*Programme subject to change
