Legal

Pioneering Domestic Abuse Conference in partnership with The Haven to be held in Wolverhampton

L-R: Jade Secker, Senior Community Fundraiser at The Haven, Hayley Powell and Lucy Owen, Community Fundraisers at The Haven and James Farmer, Chambers Manager at Cornwall Street Barristers – Photo Credit: Express and Star

A major conference highlighting how new domestic abuse legislation can help victims is set to be held in Wolverhampton.

Experts and support workers from across the UK will share experience and knowledge at the event, to be held at Grand Station on Wednesday, October 9, thanks to a Barristers’ Chambers based in the Midlands.

The conference is the brainchild of James Farmer of Cornwall Street Barristers, who’s Barristers practice specialise in domestic abuse cases, and is being organised and promoted jointly with The Haven, the Wolverhampton charity supported by Cornwall Street Barristers.

It comes as a key bill, designed to recognise how emotional abuse can be as harmful as physical violence, has gained an assurance from Prime Minister Boris Johnson that it retains Government support despite Parliament being suspended.

James said: ‘We’re very much looking forward to welcoming our brilliant speakers and contributors to this conference near the start of this year’s Domestic Abuse Awareness Month.

‘Domestic abuse is in the news almost daily in some form and current planned reforms will impact a very large cross section of society.

‘This is extremely important. The Government are introducing new definitions of domestic abuse to now include emotional and financial abuse to supplement the relatively new criminal offence of “controlling and coercive behaviour.”

‘Historically, domestic abuse victims were left stranded by the previous laws because the offences of assault or battery do not extend to protect domestic abuse victims unless there is a degree of physical harm.

‘We all know too well of the horrifying stories of victims not being able to seek the support from agencies they desperately need.  Some of whom have ended up being murdered.

‘This event will reinforce why these changes are needed and explore how victims can best be supported.’

Popinder Kaur, Chief Executive of The Haven said “We are delighted to be partnering with Cornwall Street on this conference. By uniting with partners across the sector, the event will stress the importance of the new bill and how its changes are vital to better support for victims of all forms of abuse.”

Speakers at the ‘Domestic Abuse: A Multi- Agency Approach’ event include national organisations such as SafeLives and Women’s Aid representatives.

Other speakers will be from the Judiciary, Police, Crown Prosecution Service and Local Authorities.

The conference is aimed at any agency that works within domestic abuse prevention, initiatives, awareness or support. This includes criminal and family lawyers, immigration law specialists, charities, CAFCASS officers, community safety partnership teams and many more. The event is also aimed at individuals with a keen interest in agency responses to the suggested bill to tackling domestic abuse.

Anyone wanting to book tickets for the conference can either contact James Farmer on: [email protected]; or through Cornwall Street Barristers’ website: www.cornwallstreet.co.uk/lectures-events.

Spread the good news!