Experts from around the world came together at the University of Worcester to share knowledge and experience in the prevention of violence.
The two-day event featured key speakers from organisations, including the police, prison service, health trusts and not-for-profit organisations, in the UK but also from Australia, the USA, Malawi, India, Morocco, Zambia and Malta.
Titled, Violence Prevention at the Intersections of Identity and Experience, it was organised by the University's Centre for Violence Prevention (CVP) and explored the many challenges of violence prevention.
Erica Bowen, Professor of Violence Prevention Research at Worcester, said: "The conference was an incredible success with more than 100 people attending across the two days; more than 40 papers presented, and international speakers from the USA, Morocco and Malta in attendance. We were delighted that the conference achieved its aim of providing a supportive place to foster collaboration and networking as well as raising some challenging ideas."
There were sessions on projects designed to empower students to intervene in scenarios where sexual harassment occurs, including a keynote address by Dr Rachel Fenton, from the University of Exeter, and presentations by University staff who have implemented the Intervention Initiative at the University of Worcester.
Other speakers included Detective Inspector Jennifer Bean, from West Midlands Police, who provided an account of the police response to stalking and harassment across the West Midlands, and how research conducted by the CVP has fed into local and national policy changes. Jessica Eaton, from Victim focus, spoke about using films to prevent child sexual abuse, while Claire Field, Managing Director of Claire Field Consultancy, spoke about the Parenting Apart Project. This was developed to try and get parents who are in the process of separation or conflict to come together and prioritise the needs of their children.
Other issues addressed included experiences of cyberbullying among young people, adolescent dating violence and abuse, the safeguarding of children and young people in the digital era, multi-agency training in different cultures, older victims of domestic violence, restorative justice in domestic and sexual violence offences and violence against teachers.