20 December 2024

To mark the White Ribbon campaign for 2024, CNWL hosted a series of events spanning the 16 days; featuring conversations with a variety of experts.

This year’s theme was Connecting Stories, Changing Systems – highlighting the need to work together more responsively in order to understand the complexity of stories surrounding domestic abuse.

You can now watch back and listen to the events below:

In conversation with Amy Hewitt: Best responses to working with people perpetrating domestic abuse

Amy has worked in the domestic abuse sector for over 17 years, working with victim-survivors and those causing harm. She is currently a Practice Advisor at the Drive Partnership, established in 2015 to end domestic abuse and protect victim-survivors by disrupting, challenging, and changing harmful behaviour. Amy works on Restart, a collaboration between The Drive Partnership, the Mayor of London’s Office for Police and Crime, and Respect. 

In conversation with Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno: Family courts and domestic abuse

Dr Elizabeth Dalgarno is the Director and Founder of SHERA Research Group and a Lecturer in Health Care Sciences at University of Manchester. Elizabeth has worked in public and private health and social care for over 20 years and specialises in challenging inequalities and systemic challenges in health and social care. Her work centres always around vulnerable and/or marginalised groups.

In conversation with the Rights of Women and IKWRO: Legal rights of migrant women enduring domestic abuse

Rights of Women was formed in 1975 as a direct response to the fifth demand of the Women’s Liberation Movement for legal and financial independence for women. A group of women legal workers founded the organisation to help women find their way around the many man-made laws that affected them.

IKWRO is a registered charity which provides advice and support to Middle Eastern, North African and Afghan women and girls living in the UK, who have experienced, or are at risk of all forms of “honour” based abuse, including; forced marriage, child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), or domestic abuse.

In conversation with Michelle John: Child to parent abuse

Michelle John is the founding director of PEGS, a social enterprise which aims to reduce the individual and societal impact of Child to Parent Abuse. PEGS has directly supported more than 5,000 parents over the past four years, and has trained more than 2,000 frontline professionals.

In conversation with Tim Woodhouse: Suicide and domestic abuse

Tim has been the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme Manager (based in Kent County Council’s Public Health team) since 2014. Over the last 10 years he has worked with a wide range of partners (including individuals with lived experience) to deliver the local suicide prevention strategy. He is on the Steering Group of the National Suicide Prevention Alliance and has recently been awarded two research Fellowships which are allowing him to study the relationship between domestic abuse and suicide in more detail.

In conversation with Sarah Kelly: Coercive control and mothers / children relationships

Sarah is a Clinical Psychologist who graduated with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London, in September 2024. Her final-year placements involved working in specialist trauma services. She has experience working clinically with survivors of domestic abuse, both adults and children.

In conversation with Luke Kendall: People using abusive behaviour

Luke Kendall is a domestic abuse consultant, an Independent Domestic Homicide Review Chair, accredited Independent Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocate, Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programme Facilitator and has published research on the prevalence of suicide within domestic abuse perpetrator cohorts.

In conversation with Professor Khatidja Chantler: Domestic homicides

Khatidja Chantler (PhD), Professor of Gender, Equalities and Communities, leads the gender-based violence (GBV) team and heads up the Global Perspectives, Marginalisation and Thriving Communities research cluster. She is internationally known for her work on GBV as evidenced in a recent UN report on introducing domestic homicide reviews (DHRs) in low- and middle-income countries.

In conversation with Dr Shonagh Dillon: Stalking and domestic abuse

Dr Shonagh Dillon is the Chief Executive Officer at Aurora New Dawn a charity supporting victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and stalking. Shonagh has three decades of experience working in the violence against women sector, both on the frontline and in senior management positions. Shonagh is a domestic homicide review chair and author and undertakes reviews across the country, she also has a doctorate in Criminal Justice.

In conversation with Professor Sally McManus: Mental health and domestic abuse

Sally is the Director of the Violence and Society Centre at City St George's, University of London, and a Deputy Director of the interdisciplinary VISION Consortium. VISION brings data together from health and crime surveys, health services, police, solicitors, and third sector domestic and sexual violence specialist services. The consortium's aim is to improve the measurement of data on violence to reduce violence and the health inequalities that result.

In conversation with Sista Space: African heritage women subject to domestic abuse

Sistah Space are a specialist charity dedicated to supporting African and Caribbean heritage women affected by domestic and sexual abuse. The charity was founded in 2015, following the murder of Valerie Forde and her infant daughter Real - Jahzara by her ex-partner. Focusing on the intersectionality of racism and abuse, Sistah Space’s mission is to ensure that Black woman affected by abuse are able to access equal and culturally considered support.

In conversation with Jhiselle Feanny: The Killed Women campaign

Jhiselle Feanny is a dedicated advocate and strategic social worker, with a wealth of experience in the Local Authority, NHS, and charitable sectors. With a primary focus on ending all forms of violence against women and girls, and reforming policy and practice, Jhiselle serves as the longstanding CEO of the Believe in Bee Foundation & Co-Founder/Director of Killed Women, where she champions empowering initiatives and campaigns for families and survivors of Domestic Abuse.

In conversation with the Institute for Addressing Strangulation: Strangulation and domestic abuse

The Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS) was established in October 2022, following the introduction of new legislation on strangulation and suffocation as a stand-alone offence. Given the health risks of strangulation, IFAS has been raising awareness of strangulation and the associated risks, conducting research, developing resources, and training professionals in responding to and supporting victims/survivors of these assaults.

In conversation with Andrew Wadey: The Metropolitan Police response to male violence against women and girls

Andrew is a Detective Superintendent serving in the Metropolitan Police Service. He is the Lead Responsible Office for Domestic Abuse and Stalking which includes the thematic responsibility for colleagues who are victims of domestic abuse and also those who are victims of police perpetrated offences. Andrew has served with the Met for over 20 years and has dedicated his career to investigating domestic abuse, rape and serious sexual offences and child abuse.