Spotlight on violence behind closed doors

Special Concert Hall conference

On Friday, a programme of events run by the Perth and Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership begins with a major conference in Perth Concert Hall.

As part of the World Health Organisation’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence – which runs from November 25 until December 10 – the Big County is taking a leading stance.

Deputy First Minister and MSP for Perthshire North, John Swinney will be at the conference, launching 16 days of action on violence against women when a range of expert speakers will bring ideas and perspectives to professionals working in the sector.

Among those speaking on the opening day will be and Nazir Afzal OBE.

He was the Chief Prosecutor of the CPS in the case of the Rochdale sex trafficking gang.

MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, Tasmina AhmedSheikh, who has been subjected to internet threats herself, is another speaker who will add depth to the conference with her personal experience of inequality and abusive behaviour.

Reaching into rural areas, Perth and Kinross Violence Against Women Partnership is working with the Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy to show a documentary on domestic violence.

The film, ‘Private Violence,’ following life behind closed doors in American homes, is being shown on Wednesday,November 30 at 6pm.

There’s no admission charge and refreshments will be provided.

The streets of Perth will see a gathering of 100plus women, and men, on Thursday, December 8 as the 16 Days is drawing to a close.

They will stage a ‘Reclaim the Night’ event, emphasising the right of women to walk the streets of Perth without fear of sexual violence.

The march meets at 6pm at OWLS, West Mill Wynd, and will march down the High Street to the council buildings to meet Perth and Kinross Council Provost Liz Grant.

Ex-policeman John Evans, coordinator for PKVAWP has put together the events, having taken up the post in April.

He said: “Our aims are clear. We want women and girls to not feel disadvantaged, but to thrive and achieve their potential.

“The conference in Perth brings together some of the leading lights from police, law, psychotherapy and other key sectors.

“We hope this rare opportunity to bring them to Perth under one roof will help people inform everyone involved in delivering frontline services.”

Find out more at www. pkvawp.org.