How do you start to break down the complexities of what violence against women and girls means in Northern Ireland, in particular for the social work and social care workforce?
In this podcast, Dr Wendy Austin MBE talks to experts to unpack what domestic violence looks like, its impacts and what can be done to address it, starting with the basics – and hopefully by the end listeners will know a little more about how to c play a part by starting ‘Conversations that count’ to help end violence against women and girls.
Influential voices sharing their perspectives include Anne Marks, Independent Chair of Domestic Homicide Reviews, Sheila Simons, Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI), Tracy Reid, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland and Social Care Council and Sonya McMullan, Regional Services Manager, Women’s Aid Northern Ireland.
Through a thoughtful conversation for each of us, this episode explores ideas, insights and their hopes for a safer future through cross-sector approach to prevention, response and recovery.
This is a complex conversation society if currently having, with a number of complex factors that contribute to violence against women and girls, and how a cross-sector approach to prevention, response and recovery is vital.
For those who can see where violence is happening, including social workers and social care practitioners, whether they work with adults, older people or children and young people, it’s important to know what to do or say back to someone who they see is being harmed, and also what to do if they themselves are a victim.
Talking about conversations that count and being comfortable asking uncomfortable questions, Sheila Simons believes that being able to know when and how to say something, helps someone who is a victim of violence to respond.
“Some victims will show no signs whatsoever and that’s where you have to give people the opportunity to ask things like – ‘Is home a safe space?’ – ‘Are you worried about going home?’ – ‘How’s family relationships?’ – have those conversations to enable people to give you their responses. Most women would say no, but when they did some research into that, the women said they appreciated being asked and when they felt ready to disclose they would go back to that person who raised the question with them.”
Want to find out more?
Listen to this podcast, read the strategies in place to make this change, including the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Framework and Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy, or if you need support we have listed available resources below:
If you are a victim of abuse or domestic violence, or are worried about a child or vulnerable adult, please contact your local Trust Gateway Team:
Adult Protection Gateway Teams
- Belfast Trust – 028 9504 1744 Adult Protection Gateway Team | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust website
- Northern Trust – 028 9441 3659 Safeguarding adults – Northern Health and Social Care Trust
- South Eastern Trust – 028 9250 1227 Safeguarding Adults – South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust
- Southern Trust – 028 3756 4423 Adult Safeguarding | Southern Health & Social Care Trust
- Western Trust – 028 7161 1366 Adult Safeguarding | Western Health & Social Care Trust
Children’s Gateway Teams
- Belfast Trust – 028 9050 7000 Gateway Services / Child protection | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust website
- Northern Trust – 0300 1234 333 Social work – Northern Health and Social Care Trust
- South Eastern Trust – 0300 1000 300 Gateway Service – South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust
- Southern Trust – 0800 783 7745 (or 028 3741 5285) Child Protection / Gateway Service | Southern Health & Social Care Trust
- Western Trust – 028 7131 4090 Gateway Service | Western Health & Social Care Trust
Out of hours (evenings, weekends & public holidays):
Regional Emergency Social Work Service – 028 9504 9999
In an emergency always call 999.
Available resources for support
- Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) – where you can find information about Domestic Homicide Reviews and lots more resources.
- ASSIST NI – Domestic and Sexual Abuse Advocacy Service – Advocacy support for victims of domestic or sexual violence engaging with the criminal justice system, funded by the Department of Justice.
- Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline (Nexus) – Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, free and confidential.
- Phone: 0808 802 1414 (landline or mobile).
- Email: help@dsahelpline.org (confidential, replies within 24 hours).
- NI Direct – list a number of support services.
- Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) – domestic abuse support.
- PSNI – call 999 emergency or 101 non-emergency.
- Silent Solution – UK emergency system that lets people call 999 and press 55 when they cannot speak. It filters out accidental calls while helping victims of domestic abuse or crime who are in danger.
- The Haven App – Domestic and Sexual Violence App – Belfast Area Domestic Violence Partnership.
- The Rowan – Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
- Victim Support NI – Information on types of abuse, reporting and links to helplines and advocacy services.
- Women’s Aid NI.
- Ending Violence Against Woman Girls Local Resource Directory, published by The Executive Office.
Content warning: The Care to chat podcast offers a safe space where we can discuss important topics with experts and those with lived experience. This podcast episode contains discussions about violence against women and girls and domestic violence and we advise listener discretion as this can be a sensitive discussion to listen to for some. We will be listing a number of resources at the end of the episode if you or someone you know requires support. For support please call the domestic and sexual abuse helpline is open 24/7 every day. Call 0808 802 1414 and in an emergency dial 999.
‘Care to chat’ releases a new episode every fortnight, discussing current topics about social care and social work regulation in Northern Ireland. Listen to ‘Care to chat’ wherever you find your favourite podcasts including Apple, Spotify, or on our website at: niscc.info/care-to-chat-podcast, where you can find all the new episodes and episodes from our previous series.
Episode 7: Violence against women and girls – Conversations that count (41 minutes)
For more information:
As the Care to chat podcasts are designed with the social care and social work workforce in mind, we would like to invite suggestions of topics that our listeners would be interested to hear covered. If you have questions, suggestions or feedback about the podcast, email: comms@niscc.hscni.net.