Soroptimist International of Central Birmingham

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN; WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE

Wednesday 25 November 2015

FORUM REPORT

1 The Forum Welcome & Introduction

On 25th November 2015, Soroptimist The forum was chaired by Algar International of Central Birmingham Goredema-Braid, President Elect of hosted its first Violence Against Women, Soroptimist International, Midland Arden Women Against Violence forum for those Region. She welcomed each of the guest who support victims of violence. As well speakers and outlined the format of the as raising awareness of domestic abuse evening as a discussion forum focussing issues, the event aimed to offer an on topics such as Domestic Violence, opportunity for participants to engage with Exploitation of Women and Female the professionals and discuss ways in Genital Mutilation. Algar was keen that which support could be offered to victims this opportunity was used to understand across Birmingham through partnership the issues in more detail and identify working. areas of mutual support. Forum Details The Speakers

Date: 25th November 2015 Mark Rogers, Chief Executive of Birmingham City Council Time: 7.00-10.00 pm The Council’s perspective Venue: Cobden Hotel, Hagley Road, Birmingham As leader of an organisation with the biggest reach across Birmingham, Mark The Organisers Rogers emphasised three points:-

Soroptimist International of Central  Of all the many priorities the Birmingham (SICB) is part of a global Council must meet, it is prioritising organisation for women working together practical support for the most to improve the lives of women and girls vulnerable of Birmingham’s throughout the world. One of the key citizens that is key. He areas of its interest is eliminating violence acknowledged that Violence against women and girls. The Central against Women is a growing Birmingham club is aware that this is an problem and that there is still a issue which affects women in all walks of gender imbalance which exists life in Birmingham. The Club wanted to around this issue. create an opportunity to bring together professionals and volunteers to talk about  He remains clear that the Council this difficult subject to mark the UN will continue to invest in the International Day for the Elimination of provision of support to our most Violence Against Women, and also to vulnerable citizens, including identify areas where groups may help troubled families and men and each other. women who are victims of violence, as a main budgetary priority.

 He stated that these issues cannot be tackled by just a few organisations alone such as the

2 police and Birmingham City situations can then lead to later struggles Council. He believes the answer in adulthood and parenthood. lies in the way we manage these issues within our communities. He called for us all to create a sea- The Victim’s Perspective change in attitude to enable the issue to be better understood and The issue of the evening, Violence confronted. Against Women, was dramatically and movingly described by a young woman who herself was abused by her partner. She wanted to be “the voice of 100s of women in this country who have lost their lives when they needed to be heard”. Her powerful presentation introduced the perspective of the victim. The audience was asked to consider how women like J do not always appreciate that they are in an abusive relationship. Her experience also highlighted how domestic violence can often take different forms such as abuse and manipulation as well as physical violence.

Clare Edwards, Head of Safeguarding Children Birmingham Community Despite her devastating experiences, J Healthcare NHS Trust has held on to her dream to make a difference and in the future plans to set up The Safeguarding Children perspective a unit to support those who are victims of Domestic Abuse. Clare Edwards has responsibility for developing and improving working It was a privilege to have J at the event. practices with children, through training and developing safeguarding practice approaches. Listening to the Voice of the Dawn Miskella, Chief Inspector, Child Child is the most important aspect in her Abuse Investigation Lead, Protection work, and she emphasised how many Unit, West Midlands Police valuable lessons can be learnt from integrating with and working alongside Child Sexual Exploitation – the Police communities. Perspective

As an experienced professional, she Dawn described the main challenge of her referred to her personal lessons-learnt role, in protecting the most vulnerable in through the story of one individual who society, as being that children and young was not heard as a child. The audience women do not voluntarily disclose what is was able to appreciate how such happening to them. This is because children and young women often do not

3 realise they are in abusive relationships, but instead see their abusers as their protectors. Dawn then talked about how the police have changed their approach, and focus more on disrupting the activity of the perpetrators in a similar way as officers approach those involved in arms and drug offenses.

Birmingham is not as progressive as other local authorities in the way it deals with Child Sex Exploitation and the police cannot tackle the issue as a single organisation. Dawn believes the solution must be through:-

 a multi-agency approach  revised ways of identifying Break out Groups’ offenders Discussions  the use of civil interventions The delegates then divided up into Her message is that the police need the discussion groups to explore particular assistance of communities to help them issues in more detail together with an identify vulnerable children – and expert to facilitate the conversations. particularly those in abusive relationships.

Final Remarks & Close Question & Answers The event was closed by Algar The audience was given the opportunity to Goredema-Braid. Algar thanked the ask questions of the speakers via a speakers and congratulated the audience question and answer panel session. for participating in a very thoughtful and Themes were varied and included the lively debate. She encouraged all point that most men do not see attendees to use what they had learnt themselves as perpetrators; not enough during the evening and commit to an action with a pledge. She also hoped that support is given to children when they are the opportunity to network would foster at crisis point and how to do more new working relationships in the field of prevention work in schools when it is Domestic Violence and Violence Against difficult to gain access. Women.

What Happens Next

4 The forum was the first of its kind hosted by Soroptimist International of Central Birmingham.

It is hoped that from this event, further opportunities in which the Club can raise awareness and encourage partnership working will be identified.

Updates on these activities will be posted on the Soroptimist International of Central Birmingham website. (www.sicentralbirmingham.co.uk)

The Club would also like to encourage individuals to feedback how they are progressing with their pledges via email or facebook.

********** What You Had to Say about the Forum

5 WHAT YOU SAID IN THE DISCUSSION GROUPS

Domestic Violence

Table 1 Table 7  0 tolerance of DV  Education at all levels including  Education - Domestic violence Nursery schools education of any people  Families – violence comes into  Training for professionals families from where?  Schools scared of can of worms  Maslow – Hierarchy of Need – it will open children cannot learn if they are  Language used – RESPECT – not safe what does it mean?  Anyone can be vulnerable –  Support – where is the support of some at higher risk funding  Educate – learning about  HR – DV to be understood trafficking  Environmental & Emotional  Victim Facilitator (Pimps) – these Health people do not realise they are  Communication – role modelling also victims – often think they are behaviours loved by the leaders/perpetrators  Lack of funding  Also general public need to be  What are the messages that educated work?  The public fail to question what  DV all ages; all genders; all goes on – political classes. correctness/cultural  Programmes that actually work  Society – no longer enquires – seclusion; private not my business  See Something, Say Something Exploitation of Women

Table 2 Table 6  Recognition – what are the signs  Education – all levels – nursery  Need to train people employed in through to general public the Leisure trade eg hotel awareness workers; taxi drivers  See Something Say Something;  Prevention better than cure confidential line; new initiative;  Everybody must be prepared to community responsibility ask questions when you think  Society no longer makes something is not right enquiries due to culture  How to get victims to realise they  Campaigns like Taxi Stickers and are victims & perpetrators that training they are perpetrators  Individuals not always aware of what is happening to them until it is too late  Raise self-esteem of girls  Education in Schools so that children might recognise circumstances as wrong possibly through drama & sex education Female Genital Mutilation

Table 3  What does the law say? It is our legal duty to report directly any discovery or suspicion about FGM.  Report to child protection  Teaspoon campaign  Document all discussions for evidence  Education of girls and boys in schools against FGM  Breaking the cycle; FGM is not the norm  Gambia has banned FGM today  Data is recorded when a woman presents for treatment at hospital  Petals – App for young girls raising awareness of where to get help. Untraceable in browsing history. When you shake the phone: app goes off. (Coventry University August 2015).  Colin Diamond education

Policing Child Exploitation

Table 4  Confidence in Police  Training ‘The Start’  Societal responsibility  Families; ‘Grandparents; peer group; ALL ages’  Social media – wide audience  ‘Nobody Listened’  Children’s Voice?  Media portrayal responsibility  Volunteers wanted; KS-1-2  What is child abuse; ‘trusted adult’?; ‘comfortable’?  Cycle of violence  Embarrassing stigma  Recognising signs ‘vulnerability’  Response to Abuse Policy? Support for Victims of Violence

Table 5 Table 8  Public Awareness both culturally  Parents not being able to get & socially with education & children into school when they training at all levels including move due to DV, what support children; (women’s for schooling can be given? refuges/NSPCC)  How can children who have  Educate young people to moved due to DV be put in one recognise the signs of violence school? eg NSPCC programme  What accommodation is there for  Awareness raising – Book marks victims of DV? – ‘He loves you; He loves you  Samaritans talk anonymously not’  Do we know what services in our  Public awareness across the area that could help? spectrum – both male and  Education – Children in DV female situation  Affects a broad social  Medical appointments background & cultures  Straight forward info on where to  Lobbying schools flexibility go for help Useful Numbers

Birmingham Women’s Aid:- 0808 8000028

Childline:- 0800 1111 (up to 18 year olds)

Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111 www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Modern Slavery Helpline: 0800 0121 700

NSPCC:- 0808 800 5000

For advice/or to report a worry or concern, Text 88858 or Email: [email protected]

Purple Teardrop Campaign: www.purpleteardrop.org.uk

Solihull Domestic Abuse: www.solihull.gov.uk/domesticabuse

If you are suffering from Domestic Abuse, break the chain and call 101 or 999, West Midlands Police, for help in an emergency

Keep in Touch

SI Central Birmingham: www.sicentralbirmingham.co.uk

Contact us on email: [email protected]