Domestic Abuse Special Event
- Jan 11
- 3 min read
Leeds North East CLP Women's Forum presents
From Policy to Action: Ending Domestic Abuse
📅 Mon 2nd Feb, 7pm
💻 Online via Zoom
Guest Speakers:
⭐ Rachel Williams - Domestic violence survivor, activist and campaigner ⭐
⭐ Alison Lowe - Deputy Mayor of West Yorkshire for policing and crime ⭐
⭐ Dr Rebecca Shaw - Deputy Director, Centre for Criminal Justice Studies, University of Leeds ⭐
Join us online to explore real steps for cutting domestic abuse in West Yorkshire—let's turn policy into action!
Join us online for an important event focused on turning policy into real change. Learn how West Yorkshire is tackling domestic abuse head-on and what further action is needed to ensure all women and girls are safe.
We will also explore best practice in promoting healthy relationships, steering boys away from harmful misogynistic influences and tackling failings in the family courts and criminal justice system.
Whether you're passionate about the cause or looking to get involved, this session will offer valuable insights and practical actions.
We do recognise that domestic abuse can happen to anyone. As this is a Women's Forum event, our focus will be specifically on the impact on women and girls.
Leeds North East Labour Party Women's Forum is hosting the event, which will be facilitated by Tom Chigbo (CLP Chair) and Sue Harris (Women's Officer).
The event is open to anyone with an interest in the topic and wants to be part of positive change. You do not have to be a Labour Party member to attend. Please share this invitation across your networks.
About the Speakers
Rachel Williams
After 18 years in an abusive relationship, culminating in being shot and her estranged husband and her son dying by suicide, Rachel Williams is now an inspirational campaigner for domestic abuse victims and survivors. She founded SUTDA (Stand Up to Domestic Abuse) and is co-creator of Project Titanium (strengthen gun licensing procedures). Rachel is also a qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advocate and hopes to set up The House that Jack Built, a children and young person’s refuge, in memory of her son.
Alison Lowe
Alison Lowe is the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in West Yorkshire. Her work has included funding Independent Sexual Violence Advocates, Independent Domestic Violence Advocates and the new Independent Stalking Advocacy Service for West Yorkshire. Alongside this, over £1.5 million has been given to 179 projects improving the safety of women and girls in our region, via the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund.
Alison is also a survivor of domestic violence and former chair of Leeds Domestic Violence Forum. She is passionate about using her position and power to speak up for women’s rights and for survivors, and to ensure that they have a voice and access to the right support.
Dr Rebecca Shaw
Dr Rebecca Shaw is an impact-focused researcher based in the School of Law at the University of Leeds, whose work focuses on harmful narratives in the context of domestic abuse, and how they are entrenched within individuals, agencies, society and the law.
She is also the designer of ‘Changing the Narrative of Domestic Abuse’, a new creative, evidence-based programme of Relationships, Sex and Health Education lessons on domestic abuse for secondary school students.
