Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence and Abuse: A National Conference for Healthcare Professionals
Join us for a groundbreaking national conference dedicated to enhancing healthcare responses to survivors of sexual violence and abuse. This full-day event brings together survivors, healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates to share knowledge, build skills, and foster collaboration in supporting survivors.
Aims:
- Enhance Awareness and Understanding
- Deepen healthcare professionals' understanding of the dynamics, prevalence, and impact of sexual violence and abuse across diverse populations.
- Strengthen Clinical Skills
- Develop confidence and competence in identifying, responding to, and supporting survivors in clinical settings.
- Trauma-Informed Approaches
- Promote trauma-informed care principles to ensure healthcare responses do not retraumatise survivors.
- Address Systemic Barriers
- Examine institutional, cultural, and systemic factors that hinder disclosure, access to care, and justice, particularly for marginalised communities.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Foster collaboration between healthcare providers, safeguarding leads, social workers, police, and advocacy services.
- Showcase Innovation
- Present current research, case studies, and service innovations that inform best practice in healthcare responses.
- Reflective Practice
- Create space for attendees to consider their own assumptions, biases, and areas for professional growth
Programme Schedule:
9.15am: Registration and refreshments
9.45am: Welcome
10am: Maxime Rowson: Policy to Patient: Rape Crisis Reform and influence on Healthcare Practice
10.30am: TBC
11am: Lime Culture – Supporting those who support others: vicarious trauma
11.30am: Institute for Addressing Strangulation - Strangulation: non-fatal and fatal strangulation and suffocation: understanding the prevalence and clinical indicators.
12.10pm: oral presentations
12.45pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Workshops options (1 hour)
2.40pm: Workshops options (1 hour)
3.50pm: Conference round up and close (4.15pm end)
Workshops are included below and each workshop is ran twice giving attendees the opportunity to attend x2 workshops.
| Workshop |
Content |
Facilitator |
|
Evidence-Based Prevention of Sexual
Violence and Harmful Masculinity: Implications for Practice
|
An exploration of evidence-based preventative measures
practitioners can adapt in practice, focusing on prevention of sexual violence
and harmful masculinity.
|
Dr Emma Senior
|
|
Culture, Conduct and Accountability: Addressing
Sexual Harassment in the Healthcare Workforce
|
A practical session exploring sexual
harassment in the workplace in healthcare, safer workplace cultures, and
organisational responsibility. Aimed at those with a role in workforce
development, culture change, and staff wellbeing.
|
Dr Anna Beatie & Lime Culture (safer
cultures)
|
|
From Disclosure to Documentation: A Practical
Healthcare Session on Responding to Sexual Violence and Abuse
|
A practical session exploring trauma-informed
communication techniques, immediate response protocols, and how to create a
safe environment for disclosure. Also covers sexual violence and abuse in older
adults, forensic evidence collection, chain of custody, documentation
requirements, and collaborative working with police and SARC services.
|
Dr Claire Dosdale
|
|
Reaching Every Survivor: Addressing
Barriers, Intersectionality and Cultural Competence in Sexual Violence Care
|
Addressing specific barriers and
considerations when supporting survivors from LGBTQ+ communities, disabled
individuals, those with learning disabilities, global majority (racially
minoritised people), sex workers, and individuals with insecure immigration
status. Explores intersectionality, cultural competence, and accessible care
pathways.
|
Dr Aysha Haddington-Ahmed, Dr Elizabeth Evans
& Changing Lives
|
|
Recognising and Responding to Child and Adolescent
Sexual Abuse: A Forensic-Informed Clinical Guide
|
Delivered by specialist paediatric SARC clinicians,
this session covers recognition of abuse indicators, trauma-informed response,
safeguarding pathways, and key forensic considerations including evidence
preservation and multi-agency working with police and SARC services.
|
Paediatric SARC Team. Dr Hannah Dumelow and Dr
Naomi Jones.
Royal
Victoria Infirmary
|
Cost: £75pp / £25 student - Register using the form below.
Call for Abstracts
We invite healthcare professionals, researchers, and practitioners to submit abstracts for oral presentations and poster presentations at this national conference.
This conference aims to enhance healthcare responses to survivors of sexual violence and abuse through knowledge sharing, skill development, and interdisciplinary collaboration. We welcome contributions that advance understanding, practice, and innovation in supporting survivors across diverse populations.
Submission Categories
Oral Presentations
Format: 15-minute presentations in concurrent breakout sessions
Poster Presentations
Format: Visual poster displays with opportunities for discussion
Display: Throughout the conference day
Engagement: Dedicated viewing time during breaks and lunch
Topics of Interest
We welcome submissions on (but not limited to):
- Survivor Perspectives: Co-produced research and practice initiatives
- Clinical Practice & Care Pathways: Innovative approaches to identification, disclosure, and support in healthcare settings
- Trauma-Informed Care: Implementation of trauma-informed principles and practices
- Diverse Populations: Addressing the needs of marginalised communities and specific population groups
- Communication & Skills: Effective communication strategies and clinical skills development
- Service Innovation: New models of care, service delivery, and support pathways
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Partnerships between health, social care, police, and advocacy services
- Research & Evidence: Current research findings, evaluations, and evidence-based practice
- Systemic Barriers: Addressing institutional, cultural, and structural barriers to care and justice
- Education & Training: Professional development and training initiatives
Submission Guidelines
Abstract Requirements
- Word Limit: Maximum 300 words (excluding title and author details)
- Structure: Should include background, aims/objectives, methods (where applicable), key findings/outcomes, and conclusions/implications for practice
- Authors: Include all author names, affiliations, and contact details for the presenting author
Presentation Requirements
- Presenting authors must register for the conference
- At least one author must be present to deliver oral presentations or discuss posters
Presenters will receive confirmation of acceptance by 11th May 2026
How to Submit
Please submit your abstract using our online submission form by 27th April 2026.
You will need to provide:
- Abstract title
- Presenting author details and co-authors
- Preferred presentation format (oral or poster)
- Abstract text (max 300 words)
Date Milestone
Abstract submission deadline: 27th April 2026
Notification of acceptance: Date TBC
Conference date: 16th June 2026
Questions?
For queries about abstract submissions, please contact: Claire.dosdale@northumbria.ac.uk
We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcoming you to this important national conference.
REGISTER USING THE FORM BELOW:
