A domestic abuse conference in Hull is helping to show people from a diverse range of professions how they can be instrumental in early support and prevention for people they work with.
The Hull Domestic Abuse Conference at Hull University is taking place today, involving more than 250 people, including Luke and Ryan Hart who set up Coco Awareness charity.
The brothers are White Ribbon Ambassadors and Refuge Champions, following their own family’s domestic homicide.
They are dedicated to raising awareness and speaking out against male violence towards women and children.
Vicki Paddison, strategic domestic abuse services manager for Hull, said: “Domestic abuse is the most hidden of crimes, but through working with our partners, we provide support as early as possible to help prevent domestic abuse, and provide appropriate services to families whose lives are affected.”
In 2018, 2334 victims of domestic abuse came forward to request support from Hull City Council.
The themes of the event will be the impact of coercive control, risk, the impact of domestic abuse of family and lessons learned from national and local domestic homicide reviews, including Luke and Ryan Hart’s own experience of this.
Councillor Mike Thompson, portfolio holder for community safety, said: “Our focus continues to be to raise awareness of what services are available and how people can access them safely and to reassure people that they will be listened to, believed and protected.
“Early intervention and prevention is a key driver to reducing domestic abuse in the longer term and it remains a key priority for the Community Safety Partnership.”
Hull is a White Ribbon City, a campaign which is by men, aimed at men, opposing violence against women. People can show their support for the campaign by wearing a white ribbon.
To find help, call Hull Domestic Abuse Partnership on 01482 318 759, Preston Road Women’s Centre on 01482 790 310, Hull Women’s Aid on 01482 446099 or Strength to Change on 01482 613403.
