Women's Aid Armagh Down to present at European Conference on Domestic Violence

Women’s Aid Armagh Down (WAAD) joined researchers from Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) to deliver a symposium at the European Conference on Domestic Violence in Barcelona this week.

This is the sixth European wide conference on Domestic Violence with expert speakers and contributors from across the continent. The symposium WAAD contributed to showcased research carried out in partnership with the Domestic Abuse Research Group led by Dr Katrina McLaughlin, School of Psychology, QUB. It highlighted how research and frontline practice can come together to improve understanding and response to domestic abuse.

The Women’s Aid Armagh Down contribution focused on how Northern Ireland remains a dangerous place for women to live. This highlighted the legacy of conflict, the continuing role of paramilitary gangs; and how domestic and sexual abuse now account for one in five crimes recorded by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Helen Cranney said: “Femicide is a global public health emergency. In Northern Ireland, 28 women have been killed in domestic abuse situations since 2020. Behind every statistic is a woman whose life was cut short. This conference gives us a chance to share our experience with colleagues from across Europe, and to learn from them. By working together, we can support women and children get the help they need to feel safe.”

Dr Katrina McLaughlin, Senior Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast, presented research from a pilot programme that brought intimate partner violence training into the curriculum for 258 nursing and midwifery students. The training was delivered in partnership with Women’s Aid Armagh Down & Southern Health & Social Care’s Domestic Abuse Safety and Support (DASS) worker.

Dr McLaughlin added: “This work shows how practice and research can come together to make real change. By giving nursing and midwifery students the knowledge and confidence to respond, we can help transform care for victims of domestic abuse. Our partnership with Women’s Aid Armagh Down is central to this progress.”

The symposium also featured research into the experiences of mothers navigating the Family Court system after abuse presented by Caoilfhionn Hardy trainee Clinical Psychologist QUB; and a review of European frontline professionals’ knowledge and attitudes towards domestic abuse presented by Rosalyn Millar NINE DTP PhD Student.

This international conference takes place as Northern Ireland strengthens its response to violence against women and girls. The Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy and the Sexual and Domestic Abuse Strategy (2024–2031) commit to a whole-system approach. Initiatives such as the commencement of fundraising campaign for ELEOS- an early intervention domestic abuse centre of excellence in Newry; and the hospital DASS workers are delivering new, trauma-informed services for women and children.

Further information about the conference can be found at https://www.ecdv2025.com/.