Background

'The Gender-Based Violence Advisory Group at Oxford Brookes University acknowledge that the term 'Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG)' adopted by this conference can be challenged as victim-blaming, rather than pointing out the main perpetrators of these crimes. We are actively taking steps to challenge this narrative and rally for a wider change in the terminology, in the meantime, we are and will remain dedicated to the language of gender-based violence.

The recognised political, Regional, National and Global Term 'VAWG' is used by professionals in this field and this conference reflects the accepted term VAWG by the agencies supporting this event'.

Jennifer Kirman and Dr Rachel Payne

Co-Chairs of the Gender-Based Violence Advisory Group - Oxford Brookes University

This annual event has taken place since 2015, face-to-face, and has been adapted each year based on student feedback and service involvement and was initially for student groups that will work closely with families and women upon graduation. Due to the constraints of the capacity of rooms, we have not always been able to invite programmes that would value this educational conference. Since November 2021, we are pleased to be able to take advantage of the greater familiarity and availability of online platforms to deliver this conference to a wider audience, as a webinar.

This conference is now open to all students and staff at Oxford Brookes University (and beyond). But you may have been chosen to partake in this conference as a student as these topics directly relate to your current study and future work. These topics are relevant to every student, member of staff, or partner partaking in the conference.

The timing of this conference aligns with global and National initiatives in the month of November, such as World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence on the 18th, World Children’s Day on the 20th, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and White Ribbon Day on the 25th.

We are also committed to 16 days of activism and invite you to view the section on the conference website for further resources, activities and events following this conference.

The theme of this conference is understandably upsetting and will at times be very challenging to hear and engage with. These topics are however important and are all around us as citizens, students, colleagues, neighbours, friendships and families. These topics will very much be part of your vocational/professional/academic/ undergraduate and post-graduate practice, whatever your subject, and it is important we have an understanding of these challenging themes.

We really hope that you have a positive learning experience and we will seek your feedback on the event to evaluate the online platform. An evaluation form will be made available for you to complete after the conference.

Jennifer Kirman

Principal Lecturer - Oxford Brookes

Course Lead for Health Visiting and School Nursing

#VAWGiseverybodysbusiness

#16DaysOfActivismWithUs

#UKcharitiestacklingFGM

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