Irish Travelling Women and Domestic Violence: Meeting Needs and Challenging Prejudices – Solace Women’s Aid – 22nd October 2009
Solace Women’s Aid has been working with Irish Travelling women affected by domestic violence for 15 years and is hosting a conference on October 22nd in London to raise awareness of domestic violence within this vulnerable community and identify best practice.
This group of women and children are amongst the most marginalised in the country and severe prejudices exist in many agencies creating life threatening barriers to support.
“I came to the Irish refuge 2 months ago with my 5 boys. We had to get away. My boys had never even been to a cinema before. We just never went. He’d never let me go out on my own with the children”
Solace Women’s Aid Service User
In a MORI poll over a third of all adults admitted to being prejudiced against Irish Travellers and Gypsies – this is a higher level of prejudice than against any other ethnic group. There are over 300,000 Irish Travellers and Gypsies living in the UK and a small research study conducted in 2007 showed that 81% of married Irish Traveller women in a traveller community had experienced domestic violence.
“It’s alright here; it’s the best refuge I’ve been in so far. I felt left out in other refuges. The workers have been supportive. I think it’s important to have a refuge where travellers are welcome. It’s the longest I’ve ever stayed away. Why should I go back to be tortured?”
Solace Women’s Aid Service User
Conference Speakers:
* Professor Judith Okely, Author and Anthropologist – Hull and Oxford University.
* Davina James-Hanman, Director, Greater London Domestic Violence Project.
* Mary Mason and Bernie O’Roarke – Solace Women’s Aid.
* Michelle Morgan, Central and Cecil Incorporating Cara Irish Housing.
* Father Joe Brown, Irish Traveller Movement.
* Sarah Mann, Friends, Families and Travellers.
* Irish Traveller Survivors of Domestic Violence – Telling Their Stories.
Through workshops, discussion and presentations the conference aims to raise awareness of the needs of Irish Traveller women and identify Best Practice and opportunities for change.
Date: 22nd October 2009, 09:45 am – 4:30pm
Venue: London Irish Centre, 52, Camden Square, London NW1 9XB.
Delegate Fee: Only £60. Lunch provided.
Suggested delegates: Health, Social Work & Criminal Justice Practitioners, Police, Domestic Violence Support Workers, Policy Makers and Local Authorities.
If interested download and complete a Booking Form.
For info contact: Maureen Giles 0207 428 7656.