Expert counsellors have urged everyone, from medical professionals to mental health therapists and businesses – especially those offering personal services – to register for a thought-provoking conference aimed at tackling the scourge of domestic abuse.
Lincoln’s Naomi Watkins Counselling Hub (NWCH CIC) has partnered with Pepperells Solicitors and EDAN Lincs to create an unmissable online event featuring high-profile speakers and in-depth workshops.
Supporting Domestic Abuse Awareness takes place on Thursday, November 24, from 9:30am to 2.30pm. It will explore various forms of abuse, highlight ways of recognising these and discuss what can be done to prevent harm and save lives.
NWCH CIC Chief Executive Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinska said this topic has never been more important. During the first seven weeks of Coronavirus lockdown domestic abuse cases rose by 100 per cent. Every week women and men still die at the hands of abusive partners.
“Awareness of domestic abuse is growing, which is good news. However, this issue now needs an urgent response. It has reached crisis proportions and domestic abuse has the ability to rupture whole families,” said Naomi.
“The protracted Coronavirus made matters worse, by keeping domestic abuse firmly hidden behind closed doors. We believe health professionals and businesses – particularly hair and beauty salons, massage centres and nail technicians, where customers tend to chat freely – will find this event helpful.
Domestic abuse advocate and international keynote speaker, Ryan Hart – whose father devastatingly shot dead his and his brother Luke’s mother and sister (Claire and Charlotte) in Spalding – is the conference’s headline speaker.
Other speakers across the day include abuse survivor, and now phenomenally successful businesswoman, Dani Wallace is living proof there is hope for better times in the wake of abuse. Lori Busch from the charity ManKind will share how men are the forgotten victims of domestic abuse.
Sharon Walker from Make a Change will share their work with perpetrators of abuse at an early stage. And finally, Celia Madden, Chief executive of EDAN Lincs will be speaking about the services they offer across Lincolnshire.
Workshops are also being hosted by NWCH CIC, EDAN Lincs and Pepperells Solicitors.
EDAN LINCS (Ending Domestic Abuse Now in Lincolnshire) is a registered charity (charity number 1092913). It is commissioned by Lincolnshire County Council to deliver three countywide commissioned services: refuge, outreach and IDVA.
EDAN Lincs began in 1999 and got Charity status in 2001. The services provided are free and confidential, and are service user led, within a structured case managed approach. Edan Lincs mission statement is: “To support and empower all those affected by domestic abuse. To raise awareness of the impacts of domestic abuse and promote intolerance of it.”
A spokesperson said: “EDAN Lincs provides holistic support to women, men, young people and children who are or have historically been affected by living or experiencing domestic abuse. We recognise that men and women are not always ready to leave abusive relationships permanently but may want to access support to discuss their situation and explore options available to them.”
Pepperells Solicitors has offices in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and the North East and has thrown its expertise behind the conference as the main event sponsor.
Lincoln Business Manager Clare Williams said: “We are delighted to be involved in the Domestic Abuse Awareness Conference and to be partnering with NWCH and EDAN Lincs in raising awareness of this particularly important topic.
“The Family Law team at Pepperells is passionate about supporting survivors, understanding how domestic abuse can affect so many people and how important it is to be able to access information, support and legal help. This conference will provide so many tools for people in Lincolnshire and beyond.”
Workshop 1: Signs and symptoms of DA in the therapy room: Naomi Watkins-Ligudzinska will talk about the impact of domestic abuse on individual who have experienced or are still experiencing this and how to work with them.
Workshop 2: Pepperells: Hear from experienced Family Law experts on how to navigate the legal justice system and how to access funding and support. In this session we will ask, What is Abuse? and provide information on how to access Protective Orders to keep yourself and your children safe from harm.
Workshop 3: EDAN Lincs: Let’s Talk about domestic abuse – How to spot the signs of domestic abuse and how to respond when someone discloses.
Workshop 4: Hear from Pepperells Corporate Law and HR experts from Just Great HR on the responsibilities that employers and business owners have in spotting the signs and proactively providing support for employees who may be experiencing or witnessing signs of abuse. This workshop will provide information on the employer’s legal obligations as well as tips and tools to facilitate open communication and office cultures.
Conference access costs £50 (businesses/professionals). Discounted places at £25 are available on request (low-income delegates).
Click here to book your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/domestic-abuse-awareness-conference-tickets-189643919067.
