DVCN's 6th National Training Event

 
PROTECTING VICTIMS. PROTECTING CHILDREN.

WORKING TOGETHER TO DEFEAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ITS IMPACTS

Thursday June 14th 2012, 10.30-15.30

We are pleased to be able to confirm the programme for this exciting event, to be held in Central London.
 
Domestic abuse damages children. Without a committed approach from all agencies we cannot expect to keep these children safe or improve their future.
 
Expert speakers are confirmed as Carlene Firmin (Office of the Children’s Commissioner) Joanna Sharpen (AVA), Helen Dent (Family Action) and Andrew Christie (Tri-borough Exec Director of Children’s Services).    The event is being put on by the national Domestic Violence Coordinators Network and is free for members and £50 for non-network members.  For more information and a full programme see the links below or at the top of the page, or contact admin@dvcn.org.uk, www.dvcn.org.uk
 

June 14 Programme

June 14 Booking Form

About the DVCN

The Domestic Violence Coordinators Network is designed to support those who work to make domestic violence partnerships more effective. The role of the Domestic Violence Coordinator (DVC) is crucial and until now, has largely lacked a supportive framework to achieve their objectives.

The role of the DVC began in the late 1990's largely based on the Duluth model of coordination. The Crime Reduction Programme, funded by the Home Office, tended to support this approach, and saw the Home Office providing funds for some of these posts. Whilst the role has gone through many iterations since those early days some principles remain sacrosanct; these are:

    * Partnerships are essential to an effective response to domestic violence

    * All agencies must be part of the process of securing safety for the victim and their children and to hold perpetrators to account

    * Without an individual or team coordinating this process of partnership positive outcomes will be difficult to achieve.

There are now hundreds of individuals throughout the country performing this vital task. Job descriptions, methods of funding and security of tenure differ vastly, even when such individuals are geographically proximate. It is apparent that some DVCs are unable to exert the influence the importance of their role and their skills should provide. Others are in a stronger position, but all have a key part to play in addressing the breadth of social problems that domestic violence touches.

Two past conferences have demonstrated the need and support for a network of DVCs. The Home Office conference did not lead to concrete developments and it was only after the Standing Together conference for DVCs in 2008 that the process really began.

Standing Together called for volunteers to form a working group which would help to create such a network. Their deliberations led to the launch of the Domestic Violence Coordinators Network. The intention of the network is to lobby on local and national issues relating to domestic violence:

    * Ensure the specialist and unique profile of the DVC is understood

    * Explore professional and personal support requirements

    * Offer space to reflect on practice

    * Share good practice

    * Facilitate networking between DVC's

    * Seek to sustain funding for the role

    * Guard their independence.

For more information email the DVCN.

Back to the top of the page

Last Modified: 1st July 2011