Picture by Bertie Coy
Operations Director Belinda Eastland was invited to a summit organised by Ending Violence Against Women and Girls at Marlborough College attended by Queen Camilla, Chief Constable Catherine Roper and a variety of domestic abuse campaigners. She writes about her experience.
THE summit was an inspiring day of discussion and collaboration bringing people together with a shared commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
It was particularly relevant to my role, where I champion our Making a Stand Pledge and our commitment to supporting tenants experiencing domestic abuse.
The Make a Stand Pledge is a joint initiative by Chartered Institute of Housing and Women’s Aid to raise the profile of domestic abuse and to encourage organisations in the housing sector to sign up to taking action to assist those in need.
The day began with a memorable surprise as everyone was invited to stand and welcome Her Majesty Queen Camilla. She remained at the event for several hours and gave a short speech emphasising the importance of the cause.
BBC Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce hosted the opening session with Queen Camilla, Jess Phillips MP and Dame Nicole Jacobs, setting the scene for a programme that explored the national challenge from a range of perspectives.
Jess spoke about the national ambition to halve violence against women and girls, while Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, considered the wider response to domestic abuse.
Lee Chambers discussed his work engaging men and boys and encouraging them to become allies for change. Documentary maker Zara McDermott then presented The Abuse in Our Pockets, highlighting the need for the online world to be regulated as effectively as physical spaces to help prevent violence and abuse.
Following lunch, Criminal Behavioural Analyst Laura Richards spoke about coercive and controlling behaviour, including how to recognise the warning signs and better protect society.
The programme continued with a fireside-style discussion hosted by Fiona and featuring Louisa Rolfe, Police Reform Lead at the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and Catherine Roper, Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police.
The day concluded with an expert panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session, again hosted by Fiona. The panel comprised Carrie Johnson, Dame Nicole Jacobs, Lee Chambers, Louisa Rolfe and Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE, who was involved in organising the event with Lady Lansdowne from Bowood House.
It was and informative and thought-provoking day, reinforcing the importance of coordinated action across housing, policing, government, community support organisations and the online world.
It also strengthened my commitment to White Horse Housing’s Making a Stand pledge and to supporting tenants affected by domestic abuse.
Find out more about Ending Violence Against Women and Girls at https://evawgwiltshire.com/.