A Big Conversation at Teesside

The University of Teesside is hosting a special conference to discuss and debate one of the most emotive issues of today - sexual and domestic violence.

The Big Conversation on Sexual and Domestic Violence will be held on Saturday 27 March, 10am - 4pm, at the University’s Clarendon Building (just behind the Dickens Inn, off Southfield Street, Middlesbrough).

Guest speakers include Vera Baird QC, MP for Redcar, Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton South, Professor Liz Kelly CBE, who has researched the subject of violence towards women for over 25 years, Salma Castle, from Nisaa; a project to help and support women from Black and Minority Ethnic groups and the University’s Professor Jill Radford, who will chair the event. There will also be a special video presentation from Baroness Patricia Scotland QC, a Minister of State for the Home Office.

Subjects under discussion will include the Sexual Offences Act 2003, the Domestic Violence, Crime & Victims Bill 2003, the crime-reporting process for rape victims and the plans to create a Teesside Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), a place where victims of a violent attack can got for medical care, counselling and advice. Each presentation will be followed with questions from the audience.

Professor Jill Radford said: “The Big Conversation conference represents an essential opportunity for people to gather and share knowledge and understanding of this most important issue. Sexual and domestic violence is all around us, all the time and the only way we can combat it is to keep improving the services available to victims and helping them with the after-effects of the abuse they have suffered.”

The Big Conversation is open to all and would be especially useful to police officers, social workers, counsellors, medical practitioners and other people who may come into contact with victims of abuse. If possible, please send an email to j.radford@tees.ac.uk to confirm attendance.

The Big Conversation on Sexual and Domestic Violence is sponsored by Professor Graham Henderson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Teesside, Social Futures Institute University of Teesside, Women’s Support Network, Redcar Constituency Labour Party, Middlesbrough Domestic Violence Forum, Middlesbrough Partnership Neighbourhood Support Fund and North Tees Women’s Aid.

---