DkIT hosts all-island RiVeR Project Annual Community of Practice Conference on Coercive Control
23 January 2025Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently hosted the annual RiVeR Project Community of Practice event on the DkIT campus. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Keeping the spotlight on Coercive Control: A multi-agency approach.’
The RiVeR Project (DkIT's response to the impacts of Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence) is a collaborative initiative funded by the Higher Education Authority’s Performance Funding Scheme. Based at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), the project focuses on addressing the challenges of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence through a combination of research, education, and training. The event brought together stakeholders from a wide range of organisations from all across Ireland, with the aim of maximising education and support and further building a community of practice for those who currently work in this field.
DkIT’s Dr. Edel Healy welcomed almost 200 attendees to the conference, where they heard from a range of experts regarding the latest research and developments in relation to coercive control. Dr. Kathleen Nallen, the RiVeR Project Lead, provided an update on recent projects and progress of the RiVeR Project.
Keynote speaker Dr. Stephanie O’Keeffe, CEO of CUAN, the statutory agency set up to tackle Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV), provided the opening address. Dr. O’Keeffe spoke of some of the very significant and profound challenges which impact people across Ireland including the impact of technology on new and emerging threats in the context of coercive control. In highlighting the importance of the Conference theme Dr. O’Keeffe said that
“It is only through a collaborative multi-agency approach and sharing of the latest research, knowledge and practices that a spotlight can be truly kept on Coercive Control and its detrimental effects on individuals and the whole of society.”
Other keynote speakers included Davina James-Hanman OBE, Independent Violence Against Women Consultant, Dr. Susan Lagdon, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Ulster University and Detective Superintendent Sinéad Greene, from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, who addressed a range of issues and practices around coercive control and the importance of collective action for moving forward and making changes in this area.
Speaking after the conference Detective Superintendent Greene said:
“An Garda Síochána are delighted to work in partnership with the RiVeR Project, to avail of meaningful opportunities in education, research and training in the area of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The annual RiVeR Project conference held on Friday supported fellow practitioners to meet in person and identify how we must understand and promote a shared responsibility of tackling Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence in our society.”
Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to visit the stands of various organisations to learn more about their vital work. Short oral presentations showcasing a range of key developments in relation to Education, Training and Research in the context of DSGBV were provided to delegates. A wide range of topics were covered including information on male perpetrator programmes, mental health services, a focus on the experience of survivors of domestic abuse, and empowerment of domestic violence survivors through sport and physical activity.
To close the event, Dr. Edel Healy, Dr. Kathleen Nallen and Lisa Marmion, RiVeR Project Research Assistant, took the opportunity to reflect on the key messages from the Conference in an interactive session with delegates and discussed what actions could be considered to make changes in this area.
Dr Edel Healy, DkIT said:
“I was truly inspired by our community of practice in the field of Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-based Violence coming together to share a wealth of research, insights and experiences. Events like today provide a valuable opportunity for us to collectively envision the future and identify impactful solutions through education, research and training—solutions that have the potential to transform the landscape of this critical area."
Dr. Kathleen Nallen Project Lead for the DkIT RiVeR Project said:
“It was fantastic to see such a large turnout at today’s event. It is essential for our community of practice to come together to discuss the critical area of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and to provide support and guidance to one another to raise awareness and build further capacity in this field. I want to say a huge thank you to all our inspirational speakers today. Their insight into this area is invaluable and I look forward to continuing our collaboration to share research, deepen knowledge and strengthen efforts in combating Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence.”
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