It's been a privilege to be part of the #VAWGTakeover coalition of charities. Particular thanks to Jo Camadoo-Rothwell of @safelives.bsky.social for securing the space, which enabled a group of charities with limited budgets to join this key policy event. Here's to lots more collaboration! 🤝 (7/7)
Claire's heart-rending story of the loss of her two sons through post separation abuse left not one dry eye in the room. @emily4mk.bsky.social paid tribute to Claire & called for more protection for women fleeing abuse, as they take their trauma with them. www.womensaid.org.uk/get-involved... (5/7)
Sam talked about types of economic abuse & hidden harms in the system for victims. Erin shared challenges faced by women with NRPF & the need to scrap the 2-child benefit limit & increase LHA. Jo reminded us perpetrators don't come from 1 demographic & shared a loved one's awful experience. (4/7)
Sam Smethers of @seacharity.bsky.social, Farah Nazeer of @womensaid.bsky.social & Katie Osiadacz of @tsbbank.bsky.social. It covered the impact of AI, staff leave for victims of domestic abuse & the need to find a way to engage with global big tech who aren't bound by the Online Safety Act.
We welcome Helen Millichap’s comments and fully agree that the real work of ending violence against women must not be overshadowed by political disputes.
We are sickened by the atrocious antisemitic attack on a Manchester synagogue today, Yom Kippur. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as our Jewish colleagues, friends and family. Respect stands in solidarity with the Jewish community at this difficult time.
We welcome the action the Met Police Commissioner has taken, including the suspension of officers, but it is not nearly enough. Root and branch change is urgently needed to ensure that the Met Police fulfils its duty and protects the safety of everyone it serves. (3/3)
This utterly unacceptable misogyny, racism and brutality emboldens perpetrators of #VAWG and normalises the dehumanisation of Black and minoritised communities. This behaviour needs to be held to account in all workplaces, but in particular in state services that should protect us from crime. (2/3)
The horrific failures that have been brought to light in the #BBCPanorama investigation of the Met Police are catastrophic and will undermine confidence in policing for years to come, putting survivors of domestic abuse - particularly Black, minoritised and migrant women - at further risk. (1/3)
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.
Andrea Simon spoke about how women and girls are being failed and that we need much more beyond the Online Safety Act, such as a Commissioner for online harm.
Minister @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social talked about the need for big tech to take responsibility and fund the solutions, not the harm. (6/6)
It was great to attend the joint fringe event by @evawuk.bsky.social and @moreincommonuk.bsky.social, Woman Versus Big Tech, where Exec Director Andrea Simon set out what EVAW needs to see in the forthcoming VAWG strategy, including a more comprehensive approach to addressing online abuse. (5/6)
We'll also be seeking a further conversation with Minister Sackman. Particularly moving in this session was the contribution of a domestic abuse survivor with experience of the family courts. They shared the positive impact that the Family Drug and Alcohol Court had on them and their children. (4/6)
Next, @soclablaw.bsky.social ran a lunchtime event on domestic abuse & the courts. Jo Todd had a positive response from Minister @sarahsackman.bsky.social to a question about the ongoing lack of a pathway to domestic abuse perpetrator programmes & the resulting barrier to the Pathfinder pilot. (3/6)
Our CEO @jotodd.bsky.social raised the issue of the lack of pathway within probation to commission the third sector, and the need to recognise the demand for a wide range of responses to male perpetrators. We'll be following up with the Minister Lord Timpson after the conference. (2/6)
A packed second day at #LabourPartyConference yesterday, attending and engaging with a wide range of fringe events.
First was a breakfast session led by @revdoors.bsky.social and Newton Europe on ways to tackle the cycle of crisis and crime for people living with multiple and complex needs. 🧵(1/6)
More information about the charities that make up the coalition leading the #VAWGTakeover and the events we are putting on in this previous post: bsky.app/profile/resp...
The reception heard about the ways that we have come together to support key calls, such as the Not in Our Name campaign against the racist weaponisation of #VAWG by the far right, and the five tests that the VAWG strategy will need to pass to be effective.
