26th January 2009

SCCJR in collaboration with the International Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Glasgow, recently hosted a day conference on the theme ‘Challenging Gender-based Violence’.  The highly successful conference brought together women’s sector organisations, and academics and students from several Scottish Universities. Key aims of the conference were the sharing of knowledge and information about work and research being undertaken by those actively working against gendered violence in Scotland, and the exploring of the building of links and collaborations. The key note speech entitled ‘Violence Against Women: Challenges and paradoxes for feminist research, theory and activism" was delivered by Professor Liz Kelly of the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit at London Metropolitan University. The paper drew upon her influential body of work on violence against women and children in all its forms –rape and sexual assault, the trafficking of women and children for sex and labour, domestic abuse, prostitution, and on human rights violations in the context of interpersonal relationships.  

Other papers were delivered by Sandy Brindley of Rape Crisis Scotland; Rosina MacRae of SAY Women; Janette de Haan of the Women’s Support Project; Dr Susan Batchelor; Dr Mo Hume, and; Professor Michele Burman.