Sherrard Conversation | Violence against women and girls and the criminal justice system [ONLINE]

This conversation will be between Harriet Wistrich and Master Nicky Padfield.

Harriet Wistrich is a Solicitor and Director of the Centre for Women’s Justice (www.centreforwomensjustice.org.uk).

In this Sherrard Conversation, Nicky Padfield, Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice at the University of Cambridge (and Chair of the Middle Temple’s Education and Training Committee), will discuss with Harriet the challenges for our society of the totally unacceptable levels of violence against women and girls. 

The statistics are horrific, but only the tip of the iceberg.  Harriet will provide examples from her work over many decades, and they will discuss ways in which the situation could be improved: how the law might be changed and how the state might be held more effectively to account.  This is everyone’s problem: they will also challenge the audience to get involved.

This event is for members only.

Click here to see details of the QS Requirements and how to be credited with the QS for this session

Learning Outcomes:

After this session, students should be able to:

• Explain why violence against women is a defining issue of contemporary society.
• Recognise the challenges women and girls face when reporting violence;
• In the context of Harriet’s work, identify the legislative changes that could be made to reduce violence against women

Links to the Professional Statement, wider workings of the Bar, administration of justice or a public interest matter

Violence again women and girls has reached unacceptable levels and it is a defining issue, if not the defining issue, of our generation. Although the legal sphere plays a major role in defining violence and alleviating pressures on vulnerable women, this issue cannot be solely solved in the court room. It requires larger public upheaval in order for women to feel safe in society and to not suffer from disproportionate levels of violence.

Click here to view the BSB's Professional Statement

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