Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · 5d

Great 🧵👇🏾to round off the #VAWGTakeover at #LabourConference - we we ended with power and emotion. Now we anticipate the #VAWGStrategy - we hope that the government has taken the concerns of the whole sector on board, especially from our sisters in by and for organisations.

respectuk.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social · 5d

As the weeks ends, we're reflecting on a powerful series of events at the #LabourPartyConference

On Tuesday, we joined a New Statesman session on how business can support government to end #VAWG. With contributions from @jessasatomp.bsky.social, @alexmclabour.bsky.social (cont. in thread)

(1/7)

1

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · 6d

Wow - I am a very distant Anglican these days, but this has to be good news #ArchbishopOfCanterbury

Shaun Lintern @shaunlintern.bsky.social · 6d

Former chief nurse of England, Sarah Mullaly, the Bishop of London, will be the next Archbishop of Canterbury

1

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · 6d

I couldn't bring myself to watch #Panorama on Wednesday night, but I caught up with the wise words of Mina Smallman on @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social - I remember seeing her at the Women's Aid conference a few years ago - an inspiration.

Mina Smallman, a mixed heritage woman with short silver hair wearing a black and white dress and a pink scarf.

1

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · 8d

If you are staying at #LabourConference for one more night, do join us at our panel at 18:15, it will be an important conversation #postseparationabuse

respectuk.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social · 8d

At this evening's #VAWGTakeover event, we'll discuss the hidden harm of post-separation of abuse, alongside coalition partners @seacharity.bsky.social and @womensbudgetgrp.bsky.social.

We also plan to join the annual #VAWG rally which will round off our time at the conference.

a poster that says " we are stronger together " on it

Alt: A GIF that says we are stronger together with an illustration of 5 arms in different skin tones clasping each other in a circle.

media.tenor.com

1

Reposted by Caroline Bernard

respectuk.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social · 8d

Today is another busy day at #LabourPartyConference. We’ve attended the White Ribbon breakfast event on preventing men’s VAWG, before a collaboration meeting with @foundationsww.bsky.social, ahead of the third fringe event of the #VAWGTakeover, where @jotodd.bsky.social will be speaking on a panel.

1 1 3

Reposted by Caroline Bernard

respectuk.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social · 9d

Sunday saw the first event of the #VAWGTakeover at the #LabourPartyConference - a reception which heard from some of the CEOs from the charity coalition.

Speakers called for clarity on the delayed VAWG Strategy, parity on funding & the need to ensure meaningful inclusion of by & for organisations.

A photo of the members of the coalition of charities putting on the VAWG takeover at the reception event. 12 women are standing together, smiling, including Respect CEO Jo Todd. Behind them is a line of banners representing some of the charities behind the event - SafeLives, Respect, LAWRS, Southall Black Sisters, Women's Aid, Surviving Economic Abuse and Refuge.

1 1 3

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · 11d

Going to #LabourPartyConference? See 🧵 below on the #VAWGTakeover!

respectuk.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social · 12d

Following the #LabourPartyConference?

Keep an eye out for the #VAWGTakeover to hear how the government must centre women and girls in its plans.

Protesters gathered holding signs demanding government action to reduce violence against women by half.

1

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · Sep 2

I usually listen to The News Agents last thing at night before reading but this interview is doing my head in - switching off before the end to enjoy Attica Locke…

The News Agents @newsagents.bsky.social · Sep 2

"I just think there's no evidence that scrolling on a social media app changes who you vote for."

Nick Clegg - Meta’s former VP of Global Affairs - rejects the idea that social media directly influences voters.

@maitlis.bsky.social

3

Reposted by Caroline Bernard

respectuk.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social · Aug 19

🧵1/4

The Make a Change Team at Respect led an innovative one-year national pilot in collaboration with 3 pioneering NHS Trusts – Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

1 1 3

Reposted by Caroline Bernard

respectuk.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social · Aug 7

SBS’ prolific campaigning has continually challenged barriers rooted in racism, sexism, and socio-economic inequalities and shaped government policy on safety and protections for Black, minoritised and migrant women.

Read more: www.respect.org.uk/articles/Sou...

1 3

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · Jul 27

I'll be honest, I wasn't sure we would do it, oh me of little faith! #Lionesses

4

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · Jul 23

This is absolutely heartbreaking - and unacceptable.

Paula McGowan OBE @oliverscampaign.bsky.social · Jul 23

#Oliverscampaign
A dying mother called 999 pleading for help, yet no ambulance came. Her body went unnoticed for months, alongside her dead disabled daughter, who had been left alone and helpless.

This is what happens when our systems fail the most vulnerable.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Mum and daughter found dead at home months after 999 plea

Alphonsine Djiako Leuga and her daughter were found three months after the call, an inquest hears.

www.bbc.com

2

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · Jul 19

Sad news. Society Guardian was my go to during my studies! Malcolm was very supportive to me when he was a trustee of Counsel and Care, as I developed our Older People in the Media awards back in 2009-10. A great guy, my thoughts are with his family and friends 🙏🏾

David Brindle @brindled.bsky.social · Jul 18

Malcolm was a social policy guru and my wise mentor as I struggled to grasp the mysteries of SEN, RAWP and SERPS. Greatly missed.

www.theguardian.com/media/2025/j...

Malcolm Dean, creator of the Guardian’s Society pages, dies aged 86

Journalist covered social care, criminal justice and other policy topics in a distinguished career

www.theguardian.com

2

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · Jul 17

Good to see this extensive @channel4news.bsky.social report with my colleagues and @safelives.bsky.social Pioneer Shana Begum, following the @drivepartnership.bsky.social new multi-year funding announcement today #StoppingDomesticAbuse

4

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · Jun 29

Chiropractors and osteopaths must do so much business after #Glastonbury 😂 #crickintheneck

a woman is sitting on a man 's shoulders in the desert .

Alt: a woman is sitting on a man 's shoulders in the desert .

media.tenor.com

1

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · Jun 21

Had a wonderful night celebrating with my sistahs at @sbsisters.bsky.social to mark more than 45 years of incredible work supporting Black, minoritised, and migrant women! ❤️ 🙏🏾 #StillWeRise

2

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · Jun 20

🧵 👇🏾- Congratulations to my colleagues at @safelives.bsky.social on the publication of their new strategy! #FindWhatWorksHelpIthappen

SafeLives Charity @safelives.bsky.social · Jun 17

📢 Today, we’re launching our new strategy for 2025–2028: #FindWhatWorksHelpItHappen

Follow along as we spotlight the scale of the problem, our clear vision of how things should be and the action we’re taking to end domestic abuse for everyone, for good.

➡️ ow.ly/9Yj950WaAop

A group of people chatting and smiling with a graphic of a SafeLives blue and pink ribbon with text that reads "Our Strategy 2025 - 2028. Find what works. Help it happen."

2

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · Jun 12

Heart going out to my Indian friends and colleagues #AirIndia 🙏🏾🙏🏾 🥺

1

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · Jun 3

I will be BlueSkying from the @respectuk.bsky.social account today at the @vision-research.bsky.social annual conference - let's catch up if you are there 😊

1 1 2

Reposted by Caroline Bernard

Woman's Trust @womanstrust.bsky.social · May 13

> 90 organisations inc @womensaid.bsky.social @sbsisters.bsky.social and @refugecharity.bsky.social fugecharity.bsky.social working across #vawg #domesticabuse and #mentalhealth joined our call to ministers to fund specialist counselling and #GiveSurvivorsHope

womanstrust.org.uk/give-survivo...

4 5

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · May 15

I'm looking forward to guesting on this fireside chat tonight with the Women's Resource Centre, I am proud to be in the current cohort of mentors on their Network for Black Women's Leaders programme - there is still time to sign up! www.wrc.org.uk/Event/nbwl-f...

NBWL Fireside Chat: Leadership Lessons from a 40-Year Career - 15/05/2025 18:00:00

Join us for an intimate and thought-provoking conversation with Caroline Bernard, NBWL mentor and director of influence at Respect UK.

www.wrc.org.uk

Reposted by Caroline Bernard

respectuk.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social · May 13

Respect is extremely pleased that the Home Office has recognised the need to fund a wide range of support for victims of domestic abuse, including helplines, which are often the first port of call when seeking advice.

www.gov.uk/government/n...

Vital support for victims in £20 million funding boost

Thousands more victims to access life-saving support through a £19.9 million investment in specialist services.

www.gov.uk

1 2 4

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · May 8

Another footballer perpetrator - sad for Keisha but all power to her #coercivecontrol #domesticabuse
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/s...

Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan faced 'campaign of terror from controlling ex'

Keisha Buchanan says her ex-boyfriend stopped her wearing red lipstick and watching TV

www.standard.co.uk

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · May 1

Great 🧵 below from my wonderful comms team @respectuk.bsky.social - thanks to the @commissionerda.bsky.social team for including S&T in their report's recommendations #VictimsInTheirOwnRight

respectuk.bsky.social @respectuk.bsky.social · May 1

Great to see that Recommendation 63 in the Domestic Abuse Commissioner's new report, 'Victims in their own right?' suggests the inclusion of the Safe & Together (S&T) model as part of the new Child Protection and Family Help Offer.

Respect has partnered with Safe & Together since 2019.

1

Caroline Bernard @carolinebernard.bsky.social · Apr 30

I'm reflecting on yesterday's launch of @commissionerda.bsky.social 's latest report into the experiences of babies, children and young people affected by #domesticabuse. Everyone in the room was deeply moved by what we heard - we need to ensure the next generation are protected from further harm.

2