Conference Fee includes lunch and refreshments.

The first conference of its kind for social work, Responding to Domestic Violence and Abuse in Ireland, North and South, is a unique opportunity to explore and understand the complexities of domestic abuse from an all-island viewpoint. The conference is a collaboration between the IASW and BASW NI.

By connecting policy, practice, and experience, the conference will examine how abuse affects lives and profile insights and learning for all areas of social work.

Social work has a unique line of sight, often pressing to address matters others overlook. The agenda will explore issues which frequently go undiscussed, highlighting the many ways domestic abuse manifests in family relationships. Focus will be given to considering the impacts of intimate partner violence, child to parent violence and work with families, with consideration given to the appropriate social work responses.

Confirmed speakers include Professor Stephanie Holt, Head of School of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin and Marcella Leonard, Director of Leonard Consultancy and expert in the areas of psychosexual therapy, child and public protection. 

The conference is generously sponsored by the Departments of Health and Justice in Northern Ireland and the Department of Justice in Ireland and will underline the various ways social workers collaborate with other professionals, championing approaches which deliver for the individuals we support and identifying where improvements can be made.

There will be opportunities to learn from one another concerning what works in each jurisdiction, what can be shared and what should be replicated. Attention will also be given to exploring how best to ensure a unified approach between health and justice legislation, policy and practice in tackling domestic abuse.

What is not understood cannot be addressed. Responding to Domestic Violence and Abuse in Ireland, North and South will equip attendees with essential knowledge to deliver meaningful improvements in practice and policy, with important learning both for colleagues at the frontline and those working at the strategic level.   

POSTER PRESENTATION SUBMISSIONS

Submissions of poster presentations broadly related to the conference theme are invited. To have
your poster considered for selection, please complete the details required by downloading the
abstract template and email to n.ireland@basw.co.uk by Monday, 15 January. Each application
will be reviewed by a panel of reviewers, comprising social worker members from BASW NI and
the IASW.

Submissions from the perspectives of those with lived experience of domestic violence and abuse
are particularly welcome.

A PDF version of the Call for Poster Presentations is available to download and share from this page.

Acceptance of submissions will be notified by email on Wednesday, 24 January. This notice will be
sent to the lead author. Poster submissions must then be received by Monday, 12 February 2024.
Send to n.ireland@basw.co.uk

Size: Please note that posters will be displayed in electronic format, in rotation, on a slideshow
that will run throughout the conference. As such, posters need to be submitted in landscape
orientation. A 16:9 aspect ratio is required for optimum viewing.

Presenters will be asked to indicate whether they would like to make their poster available in PDF format on the conference event page, after the event.

Conference Registration: At least one author of accepted presentations must register for the conference. Presenters are responsible for their expenses.