Our Club’s Domestic Abuse Conference: Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover took place on Saturday 27th February, and was extremely well-received by delegates. Domestic Abuse Lead Pauline reviews the day’s speakers and themes.
This Domestic Abuse Conference promised to be thought provoking and enlightening for those attending and this was certainly the case. As with most events nowadays the conference was presented via zoom adding a degree of apprehension for the presenters but they was no need to worry the day was run efficiently and professionally. We heard from exceptionally committed speakers who were passionate about their work.
Dame Vera Baird QC the Victims Commissioner opened the Domestic Abuse Conference with an overview of the progress of the Domestic Abuse Bill currently going through Parliament and reminding us of the power of advocacy and the positive effects it has for changing the Law. She spoke about the unequal sentencing of men and women for murder a key part of the recent publication from the Centre for Women’s Justice titled Women Who Kill. Women seldom get their sentences reduced to manslaughter which carries a lesser sentence. Dame Vera also covered the under reporting of rape and the poor prosecuting of offenders by the Crime Prosecuting Service who now require digital evidence before conviction.
Kate Young, Founder of the Safeguarding Association, explained the responsibility we each have for reporting and speaking up for children if we are concerned. The lockdown has increased the risk of abuse for vulnerable children and young adults making it difficult for them to access help. We learnt about the toxic trio a term used to describe the problems of substance abuse, mental health issues and abuse when seen together and the rise in young people for self-harming and suicidal thoughts. The Domestic Abuse bill includes Child Protection changes for children who witness abuse. Kate encouraged us to write to the Anne Longfield the Children’s Commissioner to support the changes.
Head Teacher Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson of Anderton Park Primary School gave us an overview of her role in a multi-ethnic school. She told us how she has to think the unthinkable reminding us of her duty to safeguard children and that school is a safety net for many children. Sarah promotes equality of the sexes highlighting misogyny whenever she sees it. Challenging the myth that boys do not hold the most power in a relationship and girls can aspire to more than being pretty girl whose opinions count for nothing. She challenged us to think about how we talk about women that the words we use, that equality is non- negotiable and as important a topic as maths and English.
Saideh Sultana spoke about her new Housing Association venture called Big Momma’s Housing. The idea came from her background of rescuing girls and women from abusive situations and her realisation that rescuing the women was not enough. They needed ongoing support to deal with the effects of the abuse together with the need for housing and a safe place to live. She described what she provides as a Blanket of Love. Saideh is available at any time to take in anyone in need who has nowhere else to go. Her goal is to see each one live independently, develop their potential and to have a voice, to let them know that they are heard.
Saideh then introduced us to one of the women she has helped who gave a powerful account of her life before she came to live with Saideh and how it had changed her. Her life of abuse had taken away all trust in men and slowly how she was rebuilding her life. Today’s event had given her a platform to be herself and marked just how far she has come.
Dr Cath Hannon of the Strategic Policing & Crime Board of the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner explained the difficult route victims have when going through the court system. She referenced the Victims Code, a statutory code which lays out the minimum level of service victims should expect from the criminal justice system. Consultations for a new version lasts until May 25th and will be embedded later this year. She referred to Sally Challen’s experience who was convicted of the murder of her husband after years of coercive control. Sally admitted to not understanding her situation, the questions that were put to her during the trial or being able to express how she felt. The new version will provide a more support for the victim with a holistic approach to the process. Dr Hannon was the liaison between our clubs and the police for the Court Project she went through the feedback from our observations and thanked all Soroptimists who helped collect this valuable data.
President Jen McLelland QPM brought the day to close. She urged us all to take points learned from today back to our clubs to raise awareness and how we can all make a difference.
The event attracted over 100 Soroptimists from all over UK plus our friendship club Kaarst, in Germany. The money raised from the donations will go to provide counselling services for survivors of domestic abuse.