Tripartite conference launches domestic abuse and sexual violence (DASV) and violence against women and girls’ (VAWG) strategies and GP surgery project.
Safer Cornwall, Safeguarding Adults Board and Our Children’s Safeguarding Partnership were delighted to hold the violence against women and girls conference on 11th October 2023 at the Pavilion Centre Wadebridge and online.
The conference was a one-day conference about preventing harm and tackling the root causes of unhealthy relationships and domestic abuse, sexual violence and violence against women and girls in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We were thrilled to welcome the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs as a keynote speaker at the event. Nicole stated “I commend and admire Cornwall’s coordinated response which is driven by early prevention and supports people in hard-to-reach areas” and described the recently released Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Domestic Abuse Strategy and the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy as “extraordinary”.
The event included the launch of the Primary care service wherein GP surgeries are supported by domestic abuse specialists to better identify and support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The Guest speakers included:
- Nicole Jacobs- Keynote presentation-the Domestic Abuse commissioner
- Laura Bates- The persistence of sexism: A call to action- Everyday Sexism Project (video)
- Nathaniel Horne- Engaging with boys and young men: Our key role in creating a safer world-Beyond Equality
- Michelle Griffith Robinson OLY-The impact of growing up in a volatile environment
- Innovation in healthy relationships education
- Kate Sidwell and Andrew Ferguson-YPC
- Natasha Davey-Diop and Lucy Walsh-Cornwall Council
- Natalie Parr and Marie Rule- Bishops’ C of E Academy
- Lucy Cokes-Falmouth University
- Dina Holder-Making a difference – over-60s and domestic abuse-The Women’s Centre Cornwall
- Julia Morris-Responding to domestic abuse and sexual violence in primary care-Safer Futures
- Fleur Buechler-The healthy relationships foundations programme-Safer Futures
There was also a workshop for in person attendees to consider improving community response to domestic abuse and the challenges of supporting people in rural areas.
The conference was extremely well received.
The responses to “How would you assess the overall feel of the conference?)” are gathered in the word cloud below:
As the feedback captures, the conference had an amazing vibe with attendees left moved and inspired throughout the day.
The range of National and local speakers were all highly rated with comments such as “I can’t rank the presentations as they were all so interesting and brought so many thoughts, feelings and challenges to the fore. All were brilliant, passionate, knowledgeable experts and delivered superb presentations. The content met my expectations and more”
One attendee when asked what stood out for them replied: “I especially appreciated the voice of lived experience via Michelle Griffiths. Her narrative validated all the hard work that is being done and it gives the context of DA a raw edge that can’t be simulated elsewhere.”
Another attendee when asked how the conference will impact their work stated:
”Made some great connections, had some meaningful conversations, and will implement many of the strategies in my own practice”
Another replied: “Increased knowledge of what services are available and an increased understanding of the nature of DA and SV in Cornwall”
Following the closing speech by Simon Mould of Cornwall Council, people sat fixed to their chairs, thinking and absorbing. Charlotte Baker of the Integrated Care board stated: ”It was incredible, and people were blown away.”