| Title: | Tackling the Hidden Landscape of Domestic Abuse and ‘Honour’ Based Violence |
| Date: | Thursday 13th November 2008 |
| Time: | 10:30am – 3:40pm |
| Venue: | One Whitehall Place, Westminster, London |
“... every case of someone suffering domestic violence is one too many. We are determined not to let violent offenders get away with wrecking lives by stopping them committing crimes in the first place.”
“We will double the number of Specialist Domestic Violence Courts, to ensure that sensitive domestic violence cases can be heard in a safe and protected court environment; and roll out Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences nationally to ensure that local agencies work positively and proactively together to reduce repeat victimisation among domestic violence victims.”
— Rt. Hon Jacqui Smith MP, Home Secretary, 18th February 2008
— Domestic Violence Fact Sheet, Government Equalities Office,
July 2008
It is now four years since the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act gained Royal Assent, promising "the biggest overhaul of laws on domestic violence since the 1970s" with "tough new powers for the police and courts to protect victims and prosecute abusers".
Although recent statistics released by the Government Equalities Office demonstrate that progress has been made in tackling domestic violence, significant challenges still remain to ensure that all those at risk receive the support and protection they need. Despite the increase in prosecution and conviction rates, domestic violence is still synonymous with chronic under-reporting and a postcode lottery in terms of access to support services for victims. Furthermore, Ministers now acknowledge that it is time to step up the fight against ‘honour’ based violence, which is estimated to affect up to 17,000 women in this country every year - An Action Plan to tackle the issue is expected to follow soon. The ‘Honour Network’, a dedicated forced marriage and ‘honour’ based violence helpline was set up earlier this year, with the aid of Home Office funding.
This special Public Policy Exchange symposium, hosted by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies offers a timely opportunity for local practitioners, police/probation service, health and other stakeholders to explore how the gaps in service provision can be plugged by a more effective implementation at the local level of the National Domestic Violence Delivery Plan. Delegates will also consider the steps needed to construct a robust framework for dealing with ‘honour’ based violence which has, until recently, remained a largely ‘underground’ phenomenon. As well as focusing on how sensitive cultural barriers can be overcome to encourage more reporting of ‘honour’ abuse, the afternoon session will tackle issues around better support and protection for victims. In addition, the session will examine how a cross-Government action plan would instil public confidence in the criminal justice system to ensure sufficient punishment and deterrence against ‘honour’ based crime.
| 09:30 | Registration & Morning Refreshments |
| 10:15 | Chair's Welcome and Introduction |
| 10:30 |
Panel Session One: Ending the Postcode Lottery – Improving Services and Support for Victims of Domestic Violence in All Areas |
| 11:15 | Morning Refreshments |
| 11:30 | Open Floor Discussion & Debate with Panel One |
| 12:30 | Networking Lunch |
| 13:30 |
Panel Session Two: Developing an Action Plan for Identifying and Tackling ‘Honour’ Based Violence |
| 14:15 | Afternoon Refreshments |
| 14:30 | Open Floor Discussion & Debate with Panel Two |
| 15:30 | Chair's Summary and Closing Comments |
| 15:40 | Networking Drinks |
How to Book