Over 100 professionals attended the second annual Violence Against Women and Girls Conference in Newport on Wednesday (22nd November).
Delegates heard from speakers including Fiona Gwinnett, chief executive of the Island’s domestic abuse hub, Mark Coulter of MenCentric, which works with men to talk about the negative impact of gender stereotypes on boys and on effective interventions with perpetrators and a representative from Aurora New Dawn, an innovative stalking clinic which was this year highlighted as best practice by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.
A highlight of the event was performance of an award winning play by the Certain Curtain Theatre Company, ’Lady in Red’. It explored the complex issues surrounding domestic abuse with a particular focus on psychological abuse and coercive control.
Councillor Clare Mosdell, Cabinet member for adult social care and public health said:
“It is really important that professionals understand the signs that someone may be in a controlling relationship so that they can provide vital support when a victim has been stripped of their confidence and independence through controlling behaviour”.
Fleur Gardiner, domestic abuse partnership coordinator, at the Isle of Wight Council and who organised the conference said:
“The conference had a very powerful opening, when a survivor of controlling behaviour shared their personal experiences.
“Another big impact was to hear how coercive control is a gendered crime that overwhelmingly affects women – and how to spot the signs.
Article continues below this advertisement “Conferences like this are a vital as they enhance the joint working between agencies and help make the Island a safer place for everyone to live”
