Child-on-parent abuse in spotlight at Liverpool domestic abuse conference
Experts gather to tackle rising UK trend
Child-on-parent abuse will be among the urgent issues addressed at this year’s Liverpool Domestic Abuse Conference, as professionals from across the UK gather to tackle the evolving challenges of domestic violence.
The full-day event, taking place on Thursday 19th June at the Hilton Hotel, will bring together leading voices in law enforcement, housing, psychotherapy and survivor support to share strategies, case studies and new approaches in the fight against domestic abuse.
Michelle John, founding director of social enterprise PEGS, will lead a session on child-on-parent abuse—behaviour involving emotional, verbal or physical harm, which has seen a marked rise in police reports over the past three years.
Also speaking is Serena Kennedy, Merseyside Police’s first female Chief Constable, who will discuss her force’s wider strategy which includes preventative policing, protecting vulnerable people and building community trust.
Delegates will hear directly from Jo Aston and Jill Ellis of Torus Housing, whose frontline work spans safeguarding, tenancy support and young people’s services across Liverpool, Warrington and St Helens. They’ll share practical insights into tackling abuse through housing interventions.
Jo Aston said: “Domestic abuse is an issue that requires a joined-up approach, and events like this allow us to meet, work with and collaborate with a diverse range of agencies and professionals.”
Emma Pickering, from the charity Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, returns to the conference to speak about technology-facilitated abuse—an area of growing concern—as well as how digital threats impact survivors' safety and freedom.
Dr Ged Smith, a consultant systemic psychotherapist with decades of international experience, will explore how gender, power and language shape abusive dynamics and how therapy can adapt to address them.
Joanne Jackson, general manager at Dog’s Trust Freedom, will highlight how pets are also impacted by domestic abuse, and how temporary fostering can enable survivors to escape violent environments without leaving their animals behind.
Rounding off the line-up is Heather Lyon, domestic abuse specialist at Morecrofts Solicitors, who will provide an overview of how the legal system is evolving in response to new patterns of abuse, including coercive control and digital threats.
Jo-anne Lomax, partner at Morecrofts, said: “With expert insights on topics ranging from child-on-parent abuse and policing policy to technology-facilitated abuse and the effect of abuse on animals, delegates will be able to get a full 360° view on the scourge of domestic abuse and latest strategies being employed to tackle it.
“The Domestic Abuse Conference is always incredibly well-attended and, without fail, we finish the event collectively more informed and stronger in our work.”