BU Research Blog

We held a conference at highlighting the subject of Violence Against and Women and Girls: Social Justice in Action Conference – Event Date: on 29 June at BGB, Lansdowne.

The Soroptimist International Bournemouth and Bournemouth University led a conference with the focus upon Violence Against Women and Girls. The aim of the day was to raise awareness of issues relating to violence against women and girls, and brought together diverse professionals, NGOs, charities and interested others to share knowledge, explore limitations and seek solutions to sustain social justice. This event was open to all those who are engaged in working with Violence Against Women and Girls and those who care about reducing this global injustice. We have 250 delegates. The feedback we have received has been extremely positive and includes potential partnership working with two local organisations.

“Just a line to express my thanks for such a brilliant and stimulating day on Thursday. It was a privilege to be amongst, and to hear from, experts in many fields. It was clear that a tremendous amount of work and support went into the day by yourselves and others at the University and Bobbie and Elizabeth and no doubt many more. It was a terrific success and I do hope we can build on the day. Thank you again”, In friendship, Christina Rollason UKPAC Secretary

Thank you to Stephen Bates for the following press release which gives a clear picture of the research shared at the event.

Conference seeks social justice to tackle violence against women and girls

Dr Liz Dominey presented the Soroptimists’ report at the conference

Urgent improvements are needed to Special Domestic Abuse Courts if they are to provide the intended protection and support to victims of domestic abuse.

That is the finding of a new report by the Soroptimists UK and Jess Rose, a PhD student at BU, based on observations from over 1000 cases in over 30 magistrates courts around the country.

The report by the was one of the subjects discussed at the Violence Against Women and Girls: Social Justice in Action conference, hosted by the Soroptimists and Bournemouth University on 29th June.

“This latest study supports previous reports which have found that women are not being supported and the special protection that these courts are supposed to provide is not always there,” said Dr Liz Dominey from the Soroptimists Bournemouth Club.

During their observations, the researchers noted that many courts do not have separate doors for the women and their abusers, and they often had to wait in the same room, which can be very intimidating and frightening.

Another common theme found was “gaming”, where a man pleads not guilty and the magistrates rule that there is no case to answer if the victim does not attend the hearing. “Many victims are too frightened to go to court because it is such a daunting prospect. If a woman were to get the necessary support from the moment she reports the case, she is much more likely to be comfortable enough to go through the court process,” says Dr Dominey.

In over 80% of the cases seen by the Soroptimists where the man originally pleaded not guilty, he would change his plea to guilty if his victim did attend.

One of the recommendations of the report is therefore to improve the availability of Independent Domestic Violence Advisers whose job is to support the victim through the court process; it was apparent that IDVAs were not present in many cases observed for the study.

Another issue identified was to ensure women are fully aware of special measures that are available to them, such as video link or screens so they do not have to see the perpetrator in court. These did not appear to be working effectively in many cases.

The need for greater training in domestic violence for magistrates and others in the CJS was also identified. Observers noted inappropriate comments about domestic abuse such ‘why didn’t she just leave him’ during the study.

At the conference, the Soroptimists explained their recommendations detailed in their report to address these systemic flaws.

Despite the serious problems identified, the Soroptimists were encouraged by the responses they received from those working in the system. “We approached the police and people who work in the criminal justice system to explain what we were doing and they were all incredibly supportive. The staff in the courts were very helpful to our observers. Most people realised that the system was failing and needs more funding and resources to improve,” Dr Dominey said.

The conference was organised by the Soroptimist Bournemouth Club and BU’s Centre for Seldom Heard Voices. It brought together a range of professionals, NGOs, charities and interested others to share knowledge, explore limitations and seek solutions to sustain social justice. It was also supported by Tina Symington, Community Safety Manager, Housing & Communities Directorate BCP.

The session opened with a powerful presentation by Sarbjit Athwal, founder of charity True Honour. Sarbjit told her story about getting justice for her sister-in-law who was murdered by abusive members of their family, whilst also living with threats of violence and death from family members herself.

Paula Harriott (Left) in conversation with Kate Adie CBE

BU’s Chancellor, Kate Adie CBE, then held a conversation with Paula Harriott, Head of Prisoner Engagement at the Prison Reform Trust. Paula told attendees how she received a prison sentence for drug use whilst she was in an abusive relationship. She also discussed reforms to she would like to see to the prison service to support women who are convicted of non-violent crimes, based on her own lived experience.

Other subjects and researchers discussed on the day included,

• Jamie Fletcher and three of his students, Megan Hall, Abigail Harvey and Callie Thornley-Veal, held a workshop discussing the laws around intoxication and sexual consent and whether they are fit for purpose.
• Dr Kari Davies presented her research looking into how the police can improve the way investigate and disrupt repeat suspects of rape and other sexual offences.
• Dr Louise Oliver and Hannah Gurr held a discussion into acts of violence on parents by children and adolescents and the legislation that covers it.

Megan, Abigail, Callie and Jamie discussed whether consent laws were fit for purpose

Attendees at the conference were asked for their thoughts on why we are still having to talk about violence against women and girls. These insights will be used in future research from Bournemouth University, led by Dr Orlanda Harvey and Dr Louise Oliver, Senior Lecturers in Social Work at BU, into why systemic problems still exist and what solutions there could be.

Dr Harvey said, “the feedback from the conference was incredibly positive. The Soroptimists and university team are looking to create network of local professionals to work together to continue the collaboration.

“On 25 November, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women the 16 Days of Activism campaign aims to raise awareness of gender-based violence begins. Over the course of the subsequent 16 days leading up to 10 December, International Human Rights Day, the United Nations, NGOs and women the world over will be drawing attention to this extreme violation of human rights and the Soroptimists and Community Safety Team are hoping to encourage local organisations to become involved.”

The E-Drone research project has developed a board game that plans delivery drone missions. This helps people explore the implications of using drones for deliveries. You do not need to have any prior knowledge of delivery drones to play the game as it designed for a general audience.

We are looking for 4-6 participants to test a new version of the game on Talbot Campus on Monday 10^th July at 2pm. We will need 90 minutes of your time and will recompense this time with £15 in shopping vouchers.

If you would like to take part please contact Janet Dickinson (jdickinson@bournemouth.ac.uk) to book your slot. If you are interested, but not available on 10^th July, please get in touch as we are likely to arrange another slot at a later date.

Are you curious about the origins of British Asian radio broadcasting in England? Look no further than the ground-breaking book, The Evolution of British Asian Radio in England, written by the BU FMC academic Dr. Gloria Khamkar. Published by Palgrave Macmillan, this book is based on Dr. Khamkar’s pioneering doctoral research conducted at Bournemouth University.

The Evolution of British Asian Radio in England unveils the captivating story of British Asian radio broadcasting that will leave you enthralled. Delving into the 1960s through the 2000s, it explores the emergence and growth of British Asian radio broadcasting. You’ll discover the intertwined themes of migration, integration, race relations, and media representation, alongside the initiatives undertaken by the BBC and the UK government to address these issues. The book critically examines the necessity and demand for a dedicated radio platform within the British Asian communities. This book is a must-read for those interested in ethnic minority and mother-tongue radio broadcasting, cultural and communication studies, media history, and British cultural history. Moreover, it provides invaluable insights to broadcasters, media regulators, and policymakers, enabling them to grasp the social and cultural landscape of the communities they engage within today’s world.

This work does not only have a research value, but also a much deeper personal connection and meaning to Dr Khamkar. She states, “This work is the result of my honest and ongoing quest to understand the migration process and its impact on our lives, including all the ways it changed the media landscape. I have been volunteering as a British Asian radio presenter and producer at Southampton’s Asian radio station Unity101.1FM since August 2010. I host a weekly live radio show Suhaana Safar (meaning ‘A Beautiful Journey’) and have briefly served as a Deputy Station Manager. During my time at this radio station, I have been exposed to a real setup of a British Asian community radio station, solely catering to the British Asian community in Southampton and surrounding areas. Regular interaction with the station’s listeners, volunteers, presenters, and the manager has shaped my thought process and helped me develop a rigorous understanding of community broadcasting. Such a radio station helps its community in terms of education, information, entertainment and is, thereby, empowering. It has strengthened my judgment that there was, and still is, a need for radio services for the British Asian community living in England. This is my analysis based on first-hand research. I hope it helps you learn more about the historical movement and the earnest campaign behind what we see as a successful independent British Asian radio broadcasting in England today.”

Immerse yourself in the fascinating journey of British Asian radio and gain a deeper understanding of its impact and significance.

Dr. Gloria Khamkar is a distinguished academic and accomplished researcher specialising in Media Studies, with a specific focus on radio and migrant communities. Holding a doctorate from Bournemouth University, she brings extensive expertise to her work. With a background as both a seasoned journalist and a community radio practitioner, Dr. Khamkar maintains a constant commitment to exploring the dynamic relationship between media and migration. Having personally experienced migration from India and establishing herself in the UK, her passion lies in comprehensively examining the intricate processes of migration and integration. She is particularly interested in understanding their profound influence on the media landscape and the content we consume. Dr. Khamkar’s profound insights and unique perspective make her an invaluable contributor to the field of Media Studies. Her continued research in media and migration showcases her unwavering dedication to advancing knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of these critical subjects.

If you are interested in knowing more about Dr Khamkar’s fusion work, please check this link and you can also get in touch with her at gkhamkar@bournemouth.ac.uk.

Professor Jens Hölscher has been invited to participate in an international doctoral summer school supported by EU funds and universities in Estonia. He will present a paper ‘Successes and Failures of Economic Transition’ and comment on presentations given by participating PhD students. He has published a graduate textbook and many scholarly articles in this research area.