The fourth year of a conference considering the impact of domestic abuse on family law practitioners and professionals from across the family community will return for its fourth year in Bristol.
Watkins Solicitors is to hosted its annual Domestic Abuse Conference on Friday 7th November at the Watershed, Bristol with tickets on sale now.
The not-for-profit event brings together speakers and professionals to share knowledge, spark discussion, and strengthen the response to domestic abuse across the South West and beyond. This year, as in previous years, the conference brings together frontline professionals and speakers with lived experience of the impact of domestic abuse. This year’s speakers include
- Claire Throssell (Women’s Aid): A powerful survivor advocate whose two sons, Jack (12) and Paul (9), were killed by their father despite her warnings about the risk he posed to them. Claire has since campaigned tirelessly to stop unsafe child contact with dangerous perpetrators of domestic abuse. Her work has helped drive reforms, so courts must consider the risk of harm from contact orders and perpetrators are prevented from cross-examining victims in family courts.
- Gareth Jones (survivor and EIDA Ambassador): A male survivor whose recent case against his ex-partner drew national attention, challenging stereotypes that can lead people to overlook abuse against men. Gareth will speak about the reality of psychological and physical violence: being kicked and punched, forced to sleep on the floor, and denied access to a toilet by his abusive ex-girlfriend. He will also address the additional harm of being disbelieved, including when she contacted his employer in an attempt to turn the narrative against him.
- Through lived experience, Gareth highlights the pivotal role employers, colleagues and frontline professionals can play when equipped with the right understanding and tools. He now works closely with the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) as an Ambassador, using his platform to raise awareness and advocate for meaningful change. By sharing his story at conferences, in the media, and with organisations across the UK, Gareth hopes to break the silence around male victims and inspire practical improvements across sectors.
- Kate Worthington (Revenge Porn Helpline, SWGfL): The Revenge Porn Helpline was established in 2015 alongside the legislation which made it an offence to share intimate images or videos of someone, either on or offline, without their consent. Kate brings frontline insight into removal routes, legal and platform challenges, and the growing intersection between coercive control and tech-facilitated abuse. She’ll share practical pathways for practitioners to support victims, what to do first, what evidence helps, and how to get content taken down as quickly as possible.
- Representative from Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service): Cafcass colleagues will provide practical updates on domestic abuse policy, assessment practice, and tools used by practitioners supporting safe child contact and decision-making in family proceedings.
- Judith Vickress (Founder, RiTA – Rural Initiatives Tackling Abuse): Judith created RiTA to transform how rural communities prevent and respond to domestic abuse and stalking by amplifying survivor voices, strengthening systems, and co-creating place-based solutions that promote safety, equity, and resilience. RiTA work in partnership with local leaders, service providers, and communities to create lasting, place-based change, ensuring no one is left behind because of where they live or who they are.
- A former family lawyer, she has extensive experience supporting domestic and sexual violence victims through the criminal justice system.
Speaking about the success of the conference over the last three years and what the day offers for practitioners, Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner of organisers Watkins Solicitors said
“For our fourth annual Domestic Abuse Conference Bristol speakers will explore coercive control, intimate image abuse, safe child contact and family court practice, and the specific challenges facing survivors in rural communities, turning evidence and lived experience into tools delegates can use to improve outcomes for victims of domestic abuse.
“Everyone in the room works, in one way or another, with victims and survivors of domestic abuse. Bringing those perspectives together – teachers, social workers, NHS teams, police, housing and local authority colleagues, charities and lawyers – is powerful. We run the day as a not-for-profit so the focus stays on learning and collaboration, and people leave with practical steps and stronger links across services. It’s an inspiring day, and I’m proud we can host it in Bristol for the fourth year running.”
- Date: Friday 7 November
- Time: 9:15am – 4:30pm
- Venue: Watershed, 1 Canon’s Road, Bristol BS1 5TX
- Who should attend: Professionals and charities working with or around domestic abuse, including solicitors, barristers, social workers, NHS staff, police, charity workers, local authorities, educators, and housing providers
- Tickets: Charities and Support Service Personnel £20, General Admission £65
- Included: Lunch and afternoon refreshments
Book your ticket here: https://domesticabuseconferencebristol.eventbrite.co.uk
