Trinity Conference Puts Children’s Well-being at the Forefront in Domestic Violence Context

Trinity Conference Puts Children’s Well-being at the Forefront in Domestic Violence Context

(IN BRIEF) Trinity University, in collaboration with Mason Hayes & Curran, hosted a significant Domestic Violence and Child Protection Conference that brought together over 200 professionals. Attendees included representatives from TUSLA, Safe Ireland, The Independent Guardian Ad Litem Agency (TIGALA), and the Irish Judiciary. The conference focused on topics like the impact of domestic violence on children, legal frameworks for child protection, and interagency collaboration. Trinity also unveiled an accredited online training course for practitioners working with families affected by domestic violence.

(PRESS RELEASE) DUBLIN, 8-Sep-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Trinity College Dublin, Ireland’s oldest university and retains a reputation as a research-intensive centre, announces that its School of Social Work and Social Policy, in collaboration with the prestigious law firm Mason Hayes & Curran, successfully convened a gathering of over 200 professionals at the Domestic Violence and Child Protection Conference held at Trinity today.

Distinguished participants from TUSLA, Safe Ireland, The Independent Guardian Ad Litem Agency (TIGALA), and the Irish Judiciary, among others, came together to deliberate on critical issues surrounding domestic violence and child protection. The event served as a platform for social workers, legal experts, policy makers, and support practitioners to engage deeply with insights derived from research, legislative developments, and practical experiences.

The conference featured in-depth discussions centering on the profound effects of domestic violence and coercive control on children. It also shed light on the evolving legal frameworks for addressing domestic violence and child protection, highlighting the importance of safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable children. Furthermore, the event gave due consideration to the vital perspective of children within the context of domestic violence.

One of the focal points of the discussions was the imperative of interagency collaboration. Attendees engaged in constructive dialogues on the transformations required to enhance the outcomes for both children and families affected by domestic violence.

Trinity’s School of Social Work and Social Policy, in partnership with Mason Hayes & Curran, has been dedicated to advancing this cause further. Together, they have developed a pioneering initiative titled “Domestic Violence and Child Protection: Training for Child Protection and Welfare Practitioners.” This groundbreaking micro-credential course, delivered online over a comprehensive six-week period, is designed to provide accredited training to practitioners who work tirelessly to support families and children experiencing domestic violence.

The Domestic Violence and Child Protection Conference serves as a testament to the commitment of Trinity and its partners in creating a safer and more compassionate society for vulnerable children and families.

Commenting on the conference, Dr Stephanie Holt, Course Director and Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin, said: “The conference was particularly helpful for professionals who do not have time to participate in our online training programme but want to engage with the latest learnings and challenges that are arising in practice. We enjoyed constructive and collaborative dialogue amongst experts from different sectors in the field.”

Sonya Bruen, Course Director and Health & Prosecutions Partner with Mason Hayes & Curran added: “This conference marks an exciting collaboration between key stakeholders in the domestic violence and child protection sector. It was an opportunity for TUSLA, Safe Ireland, Irish Judiciary and child experts to come together and plan for improved responses and interagency collaboration in this important area.”

Media Contact:
media.relations@tcd.ie

SOURCE: Trinity College Dublin