Guernsey is set to welcome eight speakers from the UK and Jersey next month for the island’s inaugural Violence Against Women and Girls Symposium.
The event – which has been organised by Guernsey Police and Public Safety Campaigner Poppy Murray (pictured) – will cover a broad spectrum of topics including male allyship in law enforcement, creating safer public spaces, VAWG research and data collection, and risk mitigation for increasingly diverse communities.
The Symposium will include presentations from the HeForShe Programme Managers for UK Policing (Louise Crawford and Brooke Jarvis), and two police officers from Thames Valley Police (DCI Wojciech Spyt and PC Liam Busby) to address how male allyship can be improved within law enforcement for the benefit of both police officers/staff and the public.
Guernsey Police Deputy Chief Officer Ian Scholes said the event presented an opportunity to hear from leading voices within policing.
“As we continue to raise awareness about violence against women and girls, hearing from police officers and leaders from the UK who are further ahead on the journey is invaluable in supporting our strategy. This Symposium is a major stepping stone on the island’s ongoing journey in developing the way in which we tackle gender-based violence.
“We are in the midst of a challenging time for both the police and the public and we understand that trust and confidence in the police has been strained not just locally but nationally. We are committed to continuing to create a positive internal culture where officers and staff are supported, and to work with the public to rebuild their trust in us; this event will undoubtedly support those efforts.”
Other speakers include Jersey’s VAWG Taskforce’s Kate Wright and Charley Haquoil, Dr Laura Walton-Williams from Sheffield University and WSP Women’s Safety Team Lead Susan Leadbetter.
Local Campaigner and BE LADS Founder Poppy Murray – who will also be presenting at the Symposium – said each speaker will be sharing expert insights: “Over the last year I have been incredibly fortunate to have travelled around the UK to deliver BE LADS presentations and, by consequence, I have heard other speakers who are leading the way in tackling a multitude of issues relating to gender-based violence. We do not need to reinvent the wheel; we should take every opportunity to learn from others.
“Guernsey is my home, however I am not a decision-maker or in a position to implement high-level changes. I felt it was hugely important to bring these speakers to the island to share their expertise and advice with our Deputies, our Police, our charitable sector, and a broad range of other organisations. These important messages need to be heard by the people who are in positions to influence and to directly implement change. Thanks to the ongoing support from Guernsey Police and the Committee for Home Affairs, this event will provide that opportunity and I hope, over time, that the public will see positive outcomes as a result.”
