Introduction

Webinars

Blogs

Resources

Contribute

Register

Escape this page

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN SOCIOLOGY & CRIMINOLOGY (DURHAM UNIVERSITY)

Alison’s research focuses on institutional responses to victims of violence and victim’s experiences of accessing justice and support services. This research theme has been explored through previous research projects on trafficking, asylum, sex work, rape/ sexual assault and child protection/ safeguarding. Alison is currently working on an ESRC funded research project, Developing inclusive criminal justice responses to victims of sexual violence.

RESEARCHER, LECTURER, AUTHOR

Amy Pearson is an autistic Developmental Psychologist with expertise in the field of Autism and Neurodiversity. Her current research focusses on understanding factors which impact on wellbeing among autistic people across the lifespan. She is particularly interested in interpersonal relationships and victimisation, social identity and stigma, and increasing accessibility for neurodivergent people in higher education. She uses innovative, mixed methods (quantitative, qualitative, and arts based) approaches to address research questions, and has a passion for co-design and participatory working.

TRAINER, FOUNDER AND CONSULTANT

Bridie is a former adult social care worker and police officer who specialised in domestic abuse, stalking and adults at risk. Bridie now works as a Services Manager for a specialist Domestic Abuse support service in Surrey. Bridie also works as an independent Domestic Homicide Review chair and independent domestic abuse consultant and trainer.

MEMBER OF DIVAS

Heather has been a member of the DIVAS group for 4 years. Prior to joining the DIVAS Heather worked as a Peer Educator, Co-delivering training to professionals in Autism through the NAS and Cornwall Council. She also sat on the Autism Partnership Board as a parent representative and Autism Advocate for over 12 years. She has been involved with NHS England on the Transforming Care Partnership. Heather is Neurodivergent (Autistic, Dyslexic) and has Prosopagnosia (face blindness). She is a carer to her son, and until recently her brother, who are both Autistic with complex additional needs. Heather is a survivor and expert by experience.

SENIOR LECTURER IN CRIMINOLOGY

Dr Helen Williams is an activist and a senior lecturer in Criminology at the University of Sunderland. Her research specialisms include criminal justice responses to sexual violence, particularly for autistic or learning disabled victim/survivors.

PROJECT SUPPORT (NEURODIVERSE CONNECTION)
They/them

El Dewar is a neurodivergent and disabled researcher and community activist. They are passionate about shared community action to ensure that no member of the community is left behind.

Outside of their work with Neurodiverse Connection they are CEO of the accessibility and inclusion charity BlueAssist UK Ltd. Within their academic work they are an interdisciplinary qualitative researcher, their work currently focuses on neurodivergence, philosophical theory (existentialism and post-structuralism), gender, queer studies and education. They also are often found crafting and promote the use of creativity within academia and activism, leading them to run their own small sustainable fibre art business.

FOUNDER—BREAKING THE SILENCE

Imran is the founder of Breaking the Silence, a Ministry of Justice funded psychotherapeutic programme. The organisation supports male survivors, from racialised communities, who experienced childhood trauma and abuse. Imran is a trained psychotherapist, behavioural psychologist, trainer, racial justice campaigner, educator; is an associate at SafeLives, Diverse Matters and HOPE. Delivering training on the intersections of race and gender; men, honour based abuse/violence and forced marriage; spiritual abuse; the psychologization of the PREVENT agenda; white nationalism, Incels and online hate.

TEACHER, AUTHOR, RESEARCHER

Kay is passionate about increasing awareness of the gifts of neurodivergence. As well as being an experienced neurodivergent teacher of all age groups, Kay is herself late-diagnosed autistic and has parented neurodivergent children of her own.

Kay has worked pastorally and therapeutically with children and adults throughout her career within educational, retreat and wellness settings. Kay uses her lived personal and professional experience to explore intersectional insights and trauma-informed, autism-friendly approaches.

SPECIALIST DOMESTIC ABUSE CONSULTANT

Luke has over fifteen years experience working in domestic and sexual abuse. Luke authored the updated Working with Male Victims Toolkit for Respect (2019), and the Home Office Funded national standards for services working with male victims of abuse (2020). Luke an associate for SafeLives, training Independent Domestic Violence Advisors. Luke is also a Respect Approved Trainer, and leads on a majority of Respect’s ‘Working with Male Victims’ training. Luke a published academic and guest lecturer for Goldsmith’s University.

H.O.P.E FOUNDER

Meena Kumari established H.O.P.E in 2008 and has trained numerous professionals in various safeguarding subjects. Meena is passionate and commitment towards campaigning, raising awareness and working on the subject of domestic abuse, sexual violence & safeguarding. Meena has worked in front line services since 2005. Since 2008 Meena has won multiple awards for her work, most recently Meena was awarded a High Sheriff of Leicestershire award, shortlisted in the Women of East Midlands award and won the rising star award.

DOMESTIC ABUSE AND YOUTH VIOLENCE CONSULTANT

Naomi Donald is Domestic Abuse and Youth Violence consultant, Youth and community worker, Mentor, Poet and Blog writer from Birmingham. Naomi was a pioneer for Safelives and is on a mission to educate young people about healthy relationships, harmful sexual behaviours and youth violence issues.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, RESEARCHER

Nicole is an Assistant Professor in Criminology, specialising in domestic violence perpetrator programmes. Her research interests are the perpetration of domestic abuse, neurodiversity, mental health and how these complicate and compound families’ experiences of abuse and service provision. Nicole has a practice background in domestic abuse within a multi-agency, child protection setting where she developed and delivered domestic abuse awareness and training. Nicole has experience working with young men in secure settings and disabled young people who are in distress.

Penni is a Community Engagement Worker at The Women’s Centre Cornwall, working on the DIVAS project. She is currently studying for a Masters in Understanding Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence at Goldsmith University London. In addition she is the Mentor Coordinator at The Women’s Centre Cornwall, Mentoring supports women who have experience of the criminal justice system. Previously, she worked in education at a FE/HE college. Penni loves the ocean and swimming in the sea.

ARC ENGLAND

Rod has spent his whole life working in learning disability and autism services, in many roles and across agencies, most recently for ARC England. His work has encompassed work on sexual health, mate crime, sexual exploitation, domestic abuse/sexual violence, extremism/radicalisation and online harms. He works alongside learning disabled and autistic colleagues in project work and training.

ARC England is a national umbrella organisation for learning disability and autism providers. Its mission statement is: Changing Thinking, Changing Practice, Changing Lives.

INDEPENDENT SEXUAL VIOLENCE ADVISOR

Sally began working as a Learning Disability ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) in September 2021 and is passionate about supporting survivors to navigate their way through the criminal justice system. This is more challenging for survivors with Learning Disabilities and/or Autistic. Sally is actively involved in raising awareness of the additional barriers faced by clients with Learning Disabilities and/or Autistic and is keen to support the Police to develop their skills in working with these survivors.

MANAGING DIRECTOR Go-Getta CIC

Savita is the Founder of Go-Getta CIC; a leading provider of youth work, alternative education and young peoples projects. She had worked within the public sector with careleavers and looked after children, followed by managing a local authority project providing employability support to young people furthest away from the labour market. A former foster carer, Savita utilises her lived experience in her role as a Safeline Associate Trainer; devising and delivering bespoke training on issues impacting children in care.

MEMBER OF DIVAS
Pronouns: she/her

Steph is a founding DIVA and peer educator. She is a neurodivergent woman (Autism and ADHD), who is passionate about making sure that neurotypical people understand the barriers faced by neurodivergent women who have experience domestic abuse and sexual violence. She loves gaming and being creative, making videos and has her own YouTube channel. She enjoys looking after Marshmallow her Hamster.

SLT, RESEARCHER, AUTHOR

Warda is an autistic Speech and Language Therapist specialising in inclusive policy review and implementation. She is a clinical communication expert who is passionate about helping to create equitable and inclusive environments. She understands the powerful influence that language, race and disability can have on how an individual or group is perceived and treated in society. Warda’s expertise lies in helping organisations/individuals identify and address any systemic biases that exist within their existing approaches and practices; making organisations more inclusive.

FOUNDER I Am My Sister CIC

Yasmin is a highly experienced, award-nominated and JNC qualified youth worker, consultant and national trainer providing expert guidance and support to organisations looking to develop effective strategies for supporting vulnerable and historically marginalised individuals and communities. She is the founder of I Am My Sister CIC whose work is grounded in the principles of social justice and human rights. They are committed to promoting the inclusion and empowerment of Black girls and women through advocacy, education, and community-building.