Domestic abuse matters conference

23 May 2018

More than 120 members of the public and private sector, including the Law Society of Jersey, and visitors from the UK are due to gather this week for a high profile conference on domestic abuse. 

The aim of the conference, being held this Friday 25 May at The Radisson Blu, Waterfront Hotel, is to understand that domestic abuse matters to us all, and to reflect upon ways that we as an island can address this complex challenge.

Dame Vera Baird, a powerful advocate for domestic abuse victims and survivors, is the key note speaker, and she will also visit the Women’s Refuge and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre while in Jersey. Dame Baird is currently the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria.

Sir William Bailhache, Bailiff of Jersey, will open the conference, which will focus on Domestic Abuse, the Criminal Justice System and the effort to protect survivors and address perpetrators.

Chairing the conference is Glenys Johnston, OBE, chair of the Jersey Safeguarding Partnership Board, who said: “Domestic Abuse Matters is the second in a series of conferences and seminars concerning domestic abuse in Jersey, hosted by the Community and Constitutional Affairs Department as part of the Safeguarding Board’s island-wide domestic abuse strategy. The last conference addressed early interventions for domestic abuse because it is an important cause of long-term problems for children, families and communities. Reducing Domestic Abuse is extremely important to the Safeguarding Partnership Board and we have worked in partnership with the Community and Constitutional Affairs Department and others to formulate a new Domestic Abuse Strategy for Jersey” 

Speakers in the afternoon include Jersey’s Children’s Commissioner Deborah McMillan, Dr Helen Miles, Chief Inspector Alison Fossey, Laura Osmand, and Sonal Shenai of Safelives UK who will be presenting research conducted locally into Domestic Abuse in Jersey. 

Chief Inspector Fossey will discuss details of a new Rape Campaign to be launched when the new Sexual Offences Law is enacted.

Home Affairs Minister, Senator-elect Kristina Moore prioritised tackling Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Domestic Violence and Abuse (DV) throughout her term of office and the Council of Ministers declared its intention to ensure that all strategy and policy across the States of Jersey should have consideration for domestic violence and abuse at its heart.