The theme of this year’s conference is Bridging The Gap, highlighting the vital role that stalking advocates play in bridging the gap between the victim and the criminal justice system. We know that sometimes it can be hard to navigate police investigations and court hearings on your own as a victim, hence why the role of advocates is so integral in ensuring the victims remain empowered by keeping their voice at the forefront of the case.

 

AGENDA

 

10AM – LOG IN ON MICROSOFT TEAMS

 

10.15AM – OPENING REMARKS

Chris Shelley, Director of Student and Academic Services at the University of Greenwich, where he leads a range of services and functions that are crucial to the student experience, and Chair of the Trustee Board at the Suzy Lamplugh Trust

Suky Bhaker, Chief Executive Officer at Suzy Lamplugh Trust

 

KEY SPEAKERS

Jess Phillips MP, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley and Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding. 

Dame Vera Baird QC, The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales was appointed on 24th June 2019, and is responsible for championing the interests of crime victims and witnesses and reviewing the operation of the Victims Code of Practice. 

Dr Paul Mills QPM, Deputy Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police and NPCC Lead for Stalking and Harassment Offences. In 2018, Paul was the Chair of the Strategic Coordinating Group for both the Salisbury and Amesbury Novichok poisoning incidents. He holds a Master of degree from the University of Cambridge in Applied Criminology and Police Leadership and has completed a PhD examining the police response to non-recent sexual abuse allegations. 

Professor Clive Ruggles, Co-Founder of Alice Ruggles Trust (ART) with his wife Dr Sue Hills following the murder of his daughter Alice in 2016 by an ex-boyfriend following a relentless campaign of stalking. Clive has spoken at numerous training and development sessions for the police and CPS among others, is chair of trustees for the ART and plays a leading role in its public awareness raising and campaigning work. 

Victim of Stalking, anonymous.

Lord Russell of Liverpool, cross bench member of the House of Lords, a Deputy Speaker, member of the Council of Europe, a Governor of Coram and trustee of the Foundling Museum. 

DCC Maggie Blyth, Violence Against Women and Girls National Co-ordinator, National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). Maggie has extensive operational experience of working in and managing criminal justice services over 30 years. She has specialist knowledge of public protection working in probation and prisons, youth justice and child protection.

 

BREAKOUT GROUP DISCUSSIONS WITH Q&A:

Breakout Room 1: Advocacy and Police (London)

Chaired by Suzy Lamplugh Trust

Commander Kevin Southworth, Head of Profession (Public Protection), Metropolitan Police Service

Claire Waxman OBE, Victims’ Commissioner for London. Claire aims to overhaul the Criminal Justice Service to enable victims to access a timely, effective, transparent and inclusive justice journey, whether they choose to report the offence all the way through to post sentence. Claire is also a victim of stalking. 

*Additional speakers TBC*

Breakout Room 2: Advocacy and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) 

Chaired by Suzy Lamplugh Trust

Opening Remarks by Olivia Rose, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Thames and Chiltern. Olivia is responsible for the Rape and Serious Sexual Office Unit and Magistrates’ Court Unit across the Area and is the national lead for stalking and harassment.

Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC), Splitz, Gloucestershire Specialist Stalking Service, has been in post for 5 years with over 650 victims of stalking referrals, both domestic abuse (DA) and non DA cases. She is passionate about the victim focused nature of the stalking legislation. 

Rose Farmer, Senior District Crown Prosecutor, CPS South West. Rose leads the Crown Court Unit in the SW and is also the SW stalking and DA strategic lead.

Breakout Room 3: Advocacy and Trauma Informed Support

Opening Remarks & Chaired by Dr Emma Short, Associate Professor in Psychology at De Montfort University. Dr Short is a Chartered Health Psychologist and HCPC registered as a practitioner in Health Psychology. Engaged in research in the area of cyber harassment, stalking and technology facilitated abuse since 2005.

Senior Stalking Advocate, Suzy Lamplugh Trust

Victim of Stalking

Breakout Room 4: Strategies and Strengths in Advocacy

Opening Remarks by Katy Bourne OBE, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner 

Claudia Ortiz, CEO of Veritas Justice, Stalking Advocacy Service is a qualified Solicitor with an MSc in Human Rights and an MSc in Gender Studies

Gin Lowdean, Manager of the Support Service for Action Against Stalking; a perspective on working with Police Scotland

 

*Additional Speakers TBC*

 

Tickets are limited so book your place now

Additional speakers and exact timings to be confirmed shortly

 

Note: This conference is aimed at those professionals who may work with stalking victims in a frontline (police, prosecution, CPS, probation, advocacy), academic or policy setting.