Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol

Multi-agency conference providing information, advice, and inspiration to a wide range of professionals who regularly encounter and deal with domestic abuse.

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

Men with far right ties convicted of DA https://t.co/jlzwxlJSlN

[Watkins Solicitors Education Dept @watkins_ed_dept]

Watkins Solicitors has launched a new Education Law TikTok channel to support SEND families! Follow us here: https://t.co/c1537lWbP8 #SEND #SEN #EducationLaw

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

@watkinssolic As the year comes to a close, we wanted to share a look back at what has been a remarkable year for Watkins Solicitors!

We would like to thank our team, clients, referrers and partners. We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year.

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

Whilst extending legal aid is a great aim. Unless rates of pay are increased there will not be enough legal aid lawyers to do the work. There are currently not enough legal aid lawyers under the current scheme !

[Family Law News @familylaw]

https://t.co/xlH0fM8cYl

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

Cassie discussed how pets are used for coercion and control, the link between animal and domestic abuse, and safe UK referral routes to Freedom. Key points: ask about pets in every assessment; refer quickly if a pet is a barrier to leaving. #DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

Our final speaker was Cassie Summers from Dogs Trust Freedom. Freedom helps survivors leave abuse without leaving their dogs, offering temporary foster homes so people can access refuge or emergency accommodation, with veterinary care, transport and costs covered. #DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

She also covered Domestic Abuse Act, how common strangulation is in domestic abuse and sexual violence, key indicators, and clinical red flags and pathways. Takeaways: offer non judgemental guidance, encourage medical assessment, assess risk, and use IFAS guidance. #DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

Our fifth speaker was Harriet Smailes at IFAS. She explained what strangulation is, the main types and mechanisms, and the immediate and longer term health effects. She highlighted 18 to 34 trends and the need to distinguish consensual from non consensual experiences. #DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

Natasha’s closing message resonated across the room:
“Nothing is impossible – the word itself says ‘I’m possible.’” #DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

She also exposed systemic failings – from the absence of early signposting to inconsistent police responses, showing how easily victims can slip through the cracks.

Natasha’s advocacy helped drive Refuge’s #TheNakedThreat campaign, which secured the 2021 legal reform #DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

She described how her abuser starved her during pregnancy and told her, “If you were up for sex more, I wouldn’t have to take it from you.”

Her account revealed a terrifying escalation of abuse. #DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

Natasha shared her experience of enduring 8 years of abuse, including sexual, physical, emotional, economic, & technological abuse, alongside coercive control. #DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

The fourth speaker at today’s Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol was Natasha Saunders, whose session “Survive. Rise. Thrive.” was incredibly powerful.

#DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

Kate also introduced https://t.co/pEGoo96uUV, a free tool that helps adults prevent the online sharing of intimate images through device-side hashing technology, and encouraged professionals to continue improving awareness, signposting and trauma-informed responses. #DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

Key insights:
• Intimate image abuse laws
• Key statistics
• Impact – victims often face mental health challenges, financial strain, relationship breakdown and job disruption
• Support – the Helpline has helped remove more than 415,000 pieces of content #DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

Kate outlined how this form of abuse includes intimate images shared or threatened to be shared without consent, intimate images taken without permission, and financially motivated sexual extortion (“sextortion”).
#DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

The third speaker at today’s Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol was Kate Worthington, Senior Practitioner at the Revenge Porn Helpline, who delivered an important session on intimate image abuse and supporting adult victim-survivors.

#DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

Now an Ambassador for the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA), Gareth uses his platform to challenge assumptions and raise awareness about male domestic abuse.

Gareth discussed that steps such as signposting could make a critical difference.

#DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

He also spoke about the strategies he used to try and stay connected to his family:

“I would try to use code words with my mother so she knew it was safe to speak. I had to change them periodically as she would find out.”

#DACBristol

[Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol @DACBristol]

“I couldn’t use the toilet in the house, I had to go to the gym or supermarket.”

“She wouldn’t kiss me unless I drank half a bottle of mouthwash and ate toothpaste.” #DACBristol