Equalities and Human Rights Commission report estimated that between 61% and 81% of Gypsy or Traveller women “had experienced direct domestic abuse”.
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Conferences
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1st National Conference on “Supporting Gypsies & Travellers Living with Domestic Violence”
On 8th May 2009, FFT held the first national conference on “Supporting Gypsies and Travellers living with Domestic Violence.
We had an enormous response from people wanting to come to the conference and over 160 people attended on the day. Delegates heard from several organisations working with Gypsies and Travellers and took part in some lively workshops with community members and service providers. The conference also launched new cultural guidance for DV workers.
Papers and resources from the conference are available below.
- Summary of the Conference Findings can be downloaded here
- Please click here for a copy of the conference programme.
- A powerpoint presentation “Current Context of Domestic Violence” by Deborah McIlveen, Policy Manager of Women’s Aid set the context for the conference.
- 6 Case Studies from around the country give insights into the experiences of Gypsy and Traveller women :
Case Study 1: Sally Ann
Case Study 2: Mary’s Story
Case Study 3: Kathleen’s Cases
Case Study 4: A Young Woman’s Story
Case Study 5: Against all odds
Case Study 6: B’s Story
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Solace Women’s Aid’s Irish Traveller Women and Domestic Violence Conference – October 2009
The day was opened by The Irish Ambassador Mr Bobby McDonagh with a heartfelt speech focusing on the need to work with Irish Traveller Families affected by domestic violence and the valuable work that is undertaken by organisations like Solace Women’s Aid and supported through funding from the Irish Government.
The audience of 100 practitioners came from a range of agencies and organisations spanning both the public and voluntary sector. Joining them were a number of Irish Traveller women and their children who made vital contributions throughout the day talking publicly about their experiences, some of them for the first time, and also engaging with delegates during breaks and workshops.
The conference chair Mary Mason, Director of Solace Women’s Aid introduced each speaker below:
- Bernie O’Roarke, Solace Women’s Aid.
- Irish Traveller Women Stories – Living with and Surviving Domestic Violence.
- Dr Margaret Greenfields, New Buckinghamshire University.
- Eileen Walsh, Clinical Psychologist, NHS.
- Michelle Morgan, Central and Cecil Incorporating Cara Irish Housing.
- Father Joe Brown and Yvonne MacNamara Irish Traveller Movement.
- Sarah Mann, Friends, Families and Travellers.
- Davina James-Hanman, Director, Greater London Domestic Violence Project.
A small group of Irish Traveller Women who had worked effectively with services and rebuilt their lives to live abuse free bravely shared their stories with the audience. Each individual story recounted numerous incidents of severe violence and incredible courage. The testaments were moving, shocking and inspiring and an invaluable reminder of the need for more specialist services to reach out to this tightly knit community to reduce the levels of violence experienced by women and their children.
Experts in the field provided valuable insight and knowledge and drew on their considerable and wide ranging experience to enable all practitioners to improve their work with this very vulnerable group and look to the future to ensure the work continues and develops.
The afternoon workshops enabled practitioners to share their own professional experiences. Recommendations were identified to collate and submit to policy and decision makers to improve practice and promote consistent work in the UK.
Recommendations, evaluations, case studies, presentations and further information are attached to the report.
- Solace Women’s Aid Conference workshop recommendations(PDF)
- Case Study: Mary(PDF)
- Case Study: Sinead(PDF)
Contact: info@solacewomensaid.org
for further information or call 0207 428 7656.
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Additional resources
- “One Punch Kills” is the report of the Leeds GATE Domestic Violence Project by Kathleen Morrison
- Traveller children witnessing domestic violence -Multi agency challenges to providing support
Conference Report, 30th September 2009, Waterfoot Hotel, L’Derry
Download the PDF here - A new Cultural Guidance Leaflet by FFT has been developed for Refuge workers and other DV workers. You may download it, email it to colleagues or print it and stick on your own local DV contact details.
- FFT’s DV Resources sheet covers organisation contacts, research papers, books and CDs including the contact details of all the conference speakers.
