Ashford conference shines a light on domestic abuse
Published: 15/07/2022Domestic abuse was the focus of a major conference held in Ashford which brought together those who work, or volunteer, with children and young people across Kent.
Headlined ‘Domestic Abuse – It’s Everybody’s Business’, the event on 8 July set out to examine the impact of domestic abuse and to showcase the help and professional services available in the county to counter it.
The free event took place at the Ashford Civic Centre and was organised by Ashford Borough Council, the Ashford Domestic Abuse Forum (ADAF) and the Kent Integrated Domestic Abuse Service.
A highlight was a presentation from Certain Curtain Theatre Company, which included an interactive quiz along with the streamed version of their original play Mockingbird High.
The compelling film graphically illustrates the effects of hidden domestic abuse on young people and family relationships. The original drama examines the cycle of abuse, sexual bullying, patterns of abusive behaviours and the long term damaging impact on children.
Delegates attending had the opportunity to talk to domestic abuse support services and learn from best practice.
Patsy Morss, Chair of ADAF, said: “Domestic abuse is such an emotive issue because of the conflict between the right to a private family life and the need for outside support when vulnerable people are suffering at the hands of a more powerful family member.
Hidden victims across the borough
“It is also a huge and very costly social issue. The police and the criminal justice system in England and Wales alone dealt with 845,734 domestic abuse crimes in 2021, either because the victims themselves sought protection or neighbours were alarmed for their safety. However, research has shown that there are countless more victims where abuse is hidden due either to fear of the consequences from the abuser or lack of knowing who to turn to or how they can help.
“The aim of the conference was to break the cycle of silence by firstly raising awareness that there will be hidden victims across the borough in all localities and organisations, and secondly to introduce the local services which provide appropriate support and assistance.
“I hope that the film, the ensuing lively debate between the audience and domestic abuse specialist advisers plus the wealth of literature on hand will enable anyone working with families or young people to recognise the symptoms of domestic abuse, to share their concerns in an empathic way and be able to signpost to appropriate sources of support.
“My thanks to Ashford Borough Council for hosting the conference, to pupils from Towers School for providing a delicious lunch and to everyone who attended.”
For more information about domestic abuse support services in Kent visit their website or to access specialist domestic abuse support call Victim Support on 0808 168-9111.