County seminar focuses on new ways of tackling domestic abuse

DOMESTIC abuse and itseffects topped the agenda at a Lanarkshire conference. The event saw over 250 representatives from North and South Lanarkshire councils, Strathclyde Police, NHS Lanarkshire and the Scottish Prison Service, voluntary organisations and other partners come together to share knowledge and to look at the multi-agency approach to the issues of domestic abuse in the local community.

Funding for the event was provided by the Lanarkshire Community Justice Authority as part of their commitment to reduce re-offending and improve community safety.

Speakers included Gavin Whitefield, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council, and detective inspector Fil Capaldi from Strathclyde Police.

Keynote speaker at the event was Dr Evan Stark, Professor of Public Affairs and Administration and Women and Gender Studies at Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey.

The conference was organised by a sub-group of representatives from partner agencies.

Despite many policy and practical initiatives over the past decade, domestic abuse remains a serious, widespread and pervasive social problem.

And Lanarkshire has one of the highest numbers of incidents in Scotland.

“All the agencies involved have key roles to play in tackling domestic abuse and its effects, which can include child protection concern,” explained Mary Fegan, who is head of social work services with North Lanarkshire Council.

“It’s really positive to have all partners sitting together to discuss and share knowledge of our experiences in dealing with domestic violence.

“In particular, discussions surrounded those most affected by domestic violence.

“Police and social work staff, together with Dr Evan Stark, spoke of their experience and the approaches to tackling this problem.

“The clear message delivered was that any form of domestic violence will not be tolerated and that tough action must be taken against perpetrators and vital support services must be widely available for victims.”

Dr Stark has served as an expert in more than 100 criminal and civil cases involving battered women and their children.

He has taught at Yale and the University of Essex and was the international fellow with the Violence Against Women Research Group at the University of Bristol Policy Studies in 2006.