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Hello
Earlier this week, I was delighted to host over 300 attendees at the biggest event in the county focusing on tackling domestic abuse.
The conference (funded by my office, Victim Support and West Sussex County Council) brought together professionals, support providers and survivors to discuss: how we are tackling domestic abuse in Sussex; how best to support victims and survivors; as well as providing us with an opportunity to challenge gaps in service provision. The theme was ‘Nobody Left Behind’.
Last year, approximately 2.3 million people in the UK, aged 16 and over, experienced domestic abuse. Police forces nationally recorded approximately 1.4 million domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes, leaving over 900,000 victims with unreported crimes and demonstrating that there is still more work to do to ensure victims have the confidence to report.
Expert speakers at the conference explained the different forms that domestic abuse can take. Mark Brooks OBE led a discussion about the work of ManKind Initiative, who provide a vital service just for men, delivered by men.
The inspirational Frank Mullane MBE spoke about how support providers need to assist survivors to make choices for themselves and have independence when navigating life post-abuse. Frank set up Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse in 2008, following the murders of his sister and nephew. He was a trailblazer in ensuring Domestic Homicide Reviews became law and helped develop the Home Office Domestic Homicide Review Guidance.
LaToya Ridge, Deputy Service Director Victim Support, spoke about marginalised groups and the importance of learning and understanding nuances that can help their survival journey. Her presentation focused on Black women, who are disproportionately affected by domestic homicide, and how abusers use control tactics within the LGBTQ+ and disabled community.
There were many other brilliant speakers, including a moving testimony from a survivor, as well as a panel whose members discussed unique initiatives to help stop the cycle of abuse and encourage early intervention for perpetrators.
In Sussex, we are lucky to have such a wealth of service providers and charities working around the clock to help those who need it most. However, as the day showed, we can always strive to do more. I am optimistic that the conference will be a catalyst in sparking change for the better, to further improve the care and support that survivors of domestic abuse so desperately require.
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