Victim Support Hub

Webinar – Coming together and re-connecting
2021-09-30 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/Brussels) | VSE hub – online
COVID restrictions have made it a difficult 18 months to connect and have space to talk about our work and listen to others. We know these opportunities to learn from each other are one of the most valuable aspects of our network which is why we want to create this moment where we can all talk and hear about the amazing work you are all doing. A moment to come together as a community hearing from new and seasoned VSE members alike.
During the event, you will have a chance to showcase your activities, projects, challenges and successes and explore how we may be supportive of each others’ work. We hope the event will also act as inspiration to others, and to that end we would invite you to send us a short video of one activity that you feel will inspire others. The videos will be presented during the event, and will also be available at the VSE Hub.
If you’re interested in preparing a video, please send us an email with a short description of the activity/project you would like to present to: s.haimov@victimsupporteurope.eu

Centre of Excellence
2021-10-19 00:00 - 2021-10-20 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels
Workshop on distance support and 116 006 helpline for victims in Europe.

VSE Autumn Conference 2021 - SAFE JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS: Transforming Justice Systems/Future Trends
2021-12-03 00:00 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels
The conference programme will be organised around the compressive victim support model to expand our collective understanding of approaches to safe justice especially as they align with other systems, such as via victim support, education, health care, social and community services, private sector, etc.

Launch of the Model Legislative Provisions for Victims of Terrorism
2022-02-04 08:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Online
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism/UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNOCT/UNCCT), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), invite you to the Launch of the Model Legislative Provisions, which will take place virtually on Friday 4 February at 8:30am EST.
The event aims to bring together Member States, Members of Parliament, United Nations entities and civil society organizations, victims’ associations and victims of terrorism for the official Launch of the model legislative provisions and to discuss how legal frameworks can strengthen national support for the rights and needs of victims.
Victims of terrorist acts frequently suffer severe, multiple and lifealtering injuries, akin to harm suffered by victims of grave human
rights violations and international crimes. In addition to other forms of
reparation, compensation for harm suffered can play an important role
in enabling victims to move on with their lives.
The purpose of developing model legislative provisions was twofold. First,
they will serve as a model for the review of existing laws and procedures
related to victims of terrorism in line with recent advances on this subject
matter and the development of legislation where no legislation exists.
Secondly, the provisions can systematize and promote the exchange of
information regarding existing good practices. Additionally, the development
of model provisions can serve to draw attention to the urgency of taking
concrete steps to protect, assist and support victims of terrorism.
In the framework of the IPU-UN Joint Programme on Countering Terrorism
and Violent Extremism, between November 2020 and January 2021, UNOCT,
UNODC and IPU convened a series of virtual expert consultations on specific
themes to be covered by the model legislative provisions. These virtual
consultations followed the organization of an online Expert Consultation on
Model Provisions regarding victims of terrorism organized on 14–15 July
2020 with participants from national institutions, parliaments, civil society
organizations and academic institutions as well as experts from other parts
of the United Nations system and from regional organizations. The Model
Legislative Provisions for Victims of Terrorism have been developed with
the support of a core group of experts composed of different UN Entities,
academia, representative of victims’ associations and victims themselves.
The event aims to bring together Member States, Members of Parliament,
United Nations entities and civil society organizations, victims’ associations
and victims of terrorism for the official Launch of the model legislative
provisions and to discuss how legal frameworks can strengthen national
support for the rights and needs of victims.
Please kindly express your availability by registering using the following link no later than Thursday 3 February 2022 COB.

The efficacy of memorialisation after terrorism
2022-02-08 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/Brussels)
On the 8th of February 2022, European Observatory on Memories (EUROM) will organise a morning session (10am-12pm) on the question of efficacy of memorialisation after terrorism with our distinguished speakers:

Mr Florian Jehin*, a victim of the Radisson Blu attack in Bamako
Mr Bas Smets, landscape architect
Mrs Lea Meindre-Chautrand, VSE Policy Officer
Mr Philippe Vansteenkiste*, V-Europe
Mr Jordi Rabassa, Barcelona City Council member
Mrs Ana Milosevic, Lead researcher on the project

The event will be moderated by David Gonzalez Vazquez , EUROM.

During this online event, Dr. Ana Milosevic will present the Policy brief on the memorialisation of terrorist attacks and the exhibition “When time stood still“ as key results of this one-year project co-funded by the Open Society Foundations.

The live streaming will take place on our Youtube Channel and via Zoom: https://ub-edu.zoom.us/j/98226828126?pwd=[REDACTED]

No pre-registration required.

Tackling Gang Crime: Preventing Violence and Exploitation, Supporting Young People and Strengthening Police Responses
2022-02-17 00:00 - 23:59 (Europe/London)
This symposium provides an important opportunity to cultivate a holistic understanding of gang violence and the factors which contribute to gang membership across the UK. This entails an examination of current efforts to prevent the spread of gang violence and an identification of areas in which stakeholders might better collaborate in order to take greater action and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation and intimidation.

Victims’ Voices, Victims’ Rights
2022-02-22 13:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Dublin)
You are invited to attend a special event marking European Day for Victims of Crime on 22nd February 2022. Organised by the national Crime Victims Helpline in conjunction with the Irish Tourist Assistance Service, Victims’ Rights Alliance, and Victim Support at Court, the afternoon online seminar is an opportunity for people working in victim support services and the criminal justice system to commemorate the day in Ireland.
Agenda
12:45-13:00 Log-in
13:00 Welcome
Michele Puckhaber, Crime Victims Helpline
13:10 Opening
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee
13:25 Victims’ Voices Panel
Moderated by Dympna Kenny, Victim Support at Court
Panelists
Colm Smyth
Hazel Larkin
Buzz O’Neill-Maxwell
Ailbhe Griffith
15:10
Break
15:25 Crime Victims’ Rights: An EU and Irish Perspective
Moderated by Maeve Lewis, Victims Rights Alliance/One in Four
Panelists
TBA, Victim Support Europe
Sarah O’Malley, Irish Council for Civil Liberties
16:30
Closing
Lisa Kennedy, Irish Tourist Assistance Service
16:45 End Webinar

Live Debate: Future of Justice for Victims in the European Union
2022-02-22 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
On the European Day for Victims of Crime, Victim Support Europe is organising an online live debate on the “Future of Justice for Victims in the European Union“. We kindly invite you to join this online event that will take place on Tuesday 22 February 2022, between 14:00 and 16:00 CET.

With this event, we aim to take the debate forward and explore the fundamentals of achieving a safe justice system. The principles of safe justice and its application in practice will be outlined, followed by a live testimony of Nina Fuchs – a showcase of the structural and systematic discrimination that victims of sexualised violence are exposed to by the judiciary. Building on a victims’ perspective in accessing justice and the practical barriers they face, we will conduct the debate on the following key discussion points:

Tackling underreporting of crimes;
Ensuring victims’ access to information, support and protection throughout the criminal justice process;
Ensuring active participation of victims in the criminal justice process;
Availability of reparations and remedies for victims.

The objective of this discussion is to explore the possibilities and to present approaches which may better serve victims and their community in achieving safe justice.

The live debate will be hosted on ZOOM. We kindly ask to register in advance for this event here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The event it is organised as part of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The Conference provides the opportunity for European citizens to debate on Europe’s challenges and priorities and to put forward recommendations. Everyone is welcome to join the debate and express their opinion upon registration here.

CJPE Webinar: Victim’s Rights in Prison & Probation – What is our Role?
2022-03-03 11:00 - 12:30 (Europe/Brussels)
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the EU Victims’ Rights Directive and of the evaluation process promoted by the European Commission concerning its implementation in Europe, this webinar organised by the Criminal Justice Platform Europe aims to explore the role of prison and probation services in ensuring victim’s rights. What are the important elements of the Victims’ Rights Directive in this regard and what are the lessons learned? In particular, how do prison and probation services address the victims’ right to information? Starting with practice examples from prison and probation services the webinar will discuss the broader situation of victims’ rights in different legal systems and specifically in prison and probation. The webinar will also focus on the need of an interagency systemic approach and on how these fields could better coordinate their work with victim support services and other (e.g. restorative justice) services coming into contact with victims.

Whistleblower Protection in Europe
2022-03-10 00:00 - 2022-03-11 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)
The Academy of European Law will organise a hybrid conference with high-level speakers from different sectors which will bring legal practitioners up-to-date on the latest regulatory developments, legislative initiatives, and case law on whistleblowing.
Whistleblower Protection in Europe
Focus on Directive (EU) 2019/1937
Brussels/Online (hybrid), 10-11 March 2022
Key topics
• EU Whistleblowers’ Directive implementation
• Trade secrets
• Data protection
• Support and protection measures
• Public disclosures
• Reporting channels
• Relevant ECtHR and CJEU case law
• Best practice
Further information: http://www.era.int/?131171&en
VSE’s members and friends are offered a 25% discount on the standard fee. To benefit from the 25% discount please enter the voucher code discount “422D127whprot” if you register online.

LEAP Annual Conference - (Re)imagining justice: A new era for fair trials?
2022-03-14 16:00 - 2022-03-18 18:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
The 2022 LEAP annual conference will focus on the future of fair trials in Europe, examining the fundamental flaws in our current systems and what we can do to rectify them.

The Resilience of Older Women and Climate Change
2022-03-24 15:00 - 16:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
Expert panellists will discuss the role of behaviour in climate change and increased environmental risk, resulting in degradation of all human rights. Speakers will discuss current lifespan initiatives and best practices across the globe, highlighting regions and activities where older women are taking the lead in mitigating negative outcomes.
SPEAKERS:

Amal Abou Rafeh, Chief of Programme on Ageing, UN DESA
Toni C. Antonucci, PhD, IAGG Secretary General, University of Michigan Collegiate Professor, Moderator and Discussant
Martha Bial, PhD, Fordham University and IAGG UN Representative
Nancy A. Pachana, PhD, clinical geropsychologist and co-director of the University of Queensland Ageing Mind Initiative
Michael Smyer, PhD, founder/CEO of Growing-Greener.org, Climate Action for a Warming World

Parallel Event with the NGO Commission on the Status of Women66Forum Parallel Event March 24, 202210:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EST
Registration Required

United European Citizens for Ukraine
2022-03-29 12:30 - 14:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels
We are currently in the middle of an unprecedented crisis in Europe. The invasion of Ukraine has redefined the parameters of what we imagined to be possible.
In this light, we are hosting this event to bring together citizens, civil society organisations, as well as Ukrainian representatives, to facilitate information sharing and horizontal discussion on the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the future of Europe within that context. Especially as we are a group of civil society organisations, we want to showcase some actions by the Ukrainian civil society, what the state of it is now, and what we can do to support them.

Establishing Victim Services Vicarious Trauma Response Collaboratives
2022-03-29 19:00 - 20:15 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
On March 29, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. ET, the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Pamela Champlain and Janet Fine on “Establishing Victim Services Vicarious Trauma Response Collaboratives.”
While vicarious trauma is both a normal and inevitable response to working with victims of crime, there is growing recognition of the need to build trauma-informed organizations and supportive partnerships to mitigate the negative impacts of secondary trauma and expand opportunities to enhance resiliency. This session will provide an overview of OVC TTAC’s engagement with communities across the United States in developing and sustaining vicarious trauma peer-to-peer collaboratives.

Participation of Hate Crime Victims in Criminal Proceedings
2022-04-04 11:00 - 12:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
Hate crime victims who chose to participate in criminal or civil proceedings must feel safe and supported each step of the way. They should have the opportunity to present the harm they have suffered, receive compensation and have the confidence that their procedural rights will be safeguarded. Regardless if the prosecution leads to conviction, it is imperative that hate crime victims have meaningful access to justice and can participate in the criminal proceedings.
The webinar is organized as part of the Enhancing Stakeholder Awareness and Resources for Hate Crime Victim Support (EStAR) project. It will promote hate crime victims’ active participation and adequate support provision during the criminal proceedings. Leading experts and practitioners in the field will provide insights into victims’ participation rights in different types of jurisdictions, provision of legal aid in criminal proceedings and international litigation. It will look at how hate crime victims should be supported during these proceedings, as well as offer professional perspectives and experiences on navigating the criminal justice system.
Speakers
Ms. Suzan van der Aa, Professor of Criminal law and Criminal Procedure, Department Criminal Law and Criminology of Maastricht University
Mr. Krešimir Kamber, Lawyer at European Court of Human Rights, Directorate of Jurisconsult, Registry of the European Court of Human Rights
Mr. Michal Zálešák, Legal Consultant, European Roma Rights Centre, Attorney-in-law at the Slovak Bar of Attorneys
Mr. Lars-Arne Raffel, Social worker, ZEBRA – Centre for Victims of Right-Wing Attacks
Participation
If you are a criminal justice professional working to enhance your national hate crime victim support structures, a civil society representative working on hate crime victim support or have interest in criminal justice, please join the webinar (passcode: [REDACTED]

Preventing Forced Marriage: Improving Outcomes and Strengthening Legislative Protection
2022-04-26 09:30 - 13:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
In 2020, the Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) received 759 cases, 750 of which related solely to forced marriage, three to both forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), and six solely related to FGM. Despite representing a 44% decrease on the average annual number of cases, the severity of the problem is thought to have remained somewhat stable, the decline being attributed to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, as restrictions were placed on weddings and overseas travel. Whilst men are still victims of forced marriage, the cases received by the FMU overwhelmingly involve female victims, a total of 603 cases in 2020, representing 79% of cases. In 2020, of the cases in which the FMU provided advice or support, 9% of cases involved victims with mental capacity concerns and 26% involved victims below 18 years of age. The latter has prompted concerns that existing forced marriage law does not provide sufficient protection for children, placing the onus on the child to secure their own protection by speaking out against both their family and community. Additionally, in the case of 16- and 17-year olds, where children are able to marry with parental consent, there is evidence that a legal loophole is being exploited in order to coerce young people into child marriages.
Forced marriage is illegal in England and Wales, including instances where a victim is taken overseas in order to force them to marry and instances where the victim lacks the mental capacity to consent to the marriage. The criminal law in this area is set out in section 121 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and a conviction can entail a sentence of up to seven years in prison. Courts also have the power to grant forced marriage protection orders, designed to protect victims according to their individual circumstances. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill is currently progressing through the House of Commons, and aims to tackle existing gaps in legislation that have enabled child marriage to persist. The bill would raise the minimum age for civil partnerships and marriage from 16 to 18 in England and Wales, whilst simultaneously making it an offence to carry out any conduct with the purpose of causing a child to enter into marriage.
Whilst the bill has been welcomed by many as a ‘huge step forward’ in addressing these issues, concerns have been raised regarding the potential effects of criminalisation. Some organisations have sought to emphasise the risk of driving problems underground in the aftermath of criminalisation, making child marriages harder to detect and reducing the likelihood that individuals and victims will speak up. The Traveller Movement have similarly warned that such a legislative step could increase numbers of children in care, questioning the extent to which specific communities were consulted in the drafting stages of the bill. From a broader perspective, there are also concerns about public knowledge and understanding of forced marriage legislation. According to Near Neighbours, a significant proportion of women are, in fact, unaware that forced marriage is illegal. As displayed by a freedom of information request made in 2020, this has been compounded by a failure of local authorities to maintain proper records of those at risk of forced marriage.
This symposium will provide policymakers, charities, social workers, police officers, teachers, and other safeguarding professionals with the opportunity to evaluate proposed legislative reform, identify key issues in current policy, and develop strategies to improve outcomes for victims of forced marriage.

NSAW Webinar Masterclass
2022-04-28 10:00 - 13:15 (Europe/London) | Online
Action Against Stalking is organising the National Stalking Awareness Week (NSAW) “Stalking IS NOT a joke”, which will run between 25 and 29 April 2022.
The theme of this week will be focusing on tackling the negative impacts created by the language people use, the social norms and myths surrounding online and offline stalking – especially in younger generations.
Throughout the whole month of April, they will be focusing on this theme, and during the NSAW they plan to have livestreams and interviews planned, as well as a Webinar Masterclass.
More information about the programme and registration will soon be available at: https://www.actionagainststalking.org/event-details/nsaw-webinar-masterclass

WEBINAR: WORKING WITH UKRAINIAN REFUGEES – PREVENTING VICARIOUS TRAUMA
2022-05-03 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
Dear all,
As the war in Ukraine rages on and many Ukrainian citizens have been forced to flee their homes, people all over Europe are working around the clock to support Ukrainian refugees. From victim support workers to translators and volunteers – people with all kinds of backgrounds are impacted by the stories they hear. These stories can have a tremendous impact on their mental health, causing many to experience compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
Our member EMDR Europe has offered to provide a training to people (at risk of) experiencing vicarious trauma in their work with Ukrainian refugees. The training will be held on the Victim Support Hub on 3 May 2022 at 14:00 CET, and is open for anybody who works with Ukrainian refugees directly or manages people that do. The training will cover traumatic reactions, promote resilience, and there is a possibility for follow-up group sessions if needed.
Please send an email to i.lokerse@victimsupporteurope.eu if you would be interested in attending this training.

VSE 2022 Annual Conference – The Age of Resilience
2022-05-11 00:00 - 2022-05-12 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) | Urban Valley Resort & Spa Malta, Triq Wied Ghollieqa, Kappara, SGN4437, Malta
Victim Support Europe and Victim Support Malta are delighted to welcome you to the Victim Support Europe 2022 Annual Conference – The Age of Resilience.

We are meeting on the beautiful historic island of Malta, at the Urban Valley Resort in the city of Kappara. The Conference is organised as a two-day event on Wednesday May 11th and Thursday 12th 2022, which leaves the opportunity to extend your stay for a wonderful weekend at this stunning location!

This year’s conference “The Age of Resilience” is an opportunity to discuss the different routes we can take to reach recovery and resilience. The discussion aims at highlighting the ways to achieve resilience, individual, social, and structural, by sharing resilience strategies and approaches to contain systemic threats.

12th edition of the CEP Electronic Monitoring Conference
2022-05-23 15:00 - 2022-05-25 13:30 (Europe/Helsinki) | Scandic Marina Congress Centre, Helsinki, Finland
From the 23th until the 25th of May 2022, it is time for the 12th edition of the Electronic Monitoring Conference in Helsinki, Finland. This years theme is ‘Electronic monitoring and probation goals: a symbiotic relationship’.
Electronic monitoring remains a relatively isolated example of the widespread deployment of technologies in probation practice and community sanctions more broadly. Technologies are already part of our everyday lives but, in common with other public services, are likely to effect on probation practice. As technologies develop and begin to penetrate into probation practices to a greater extent, the challenges of using them in ways which complement probation work grows.
The focus of the 12th electronic monitoring conference will be on developing understanding of how electronic monitoring can support probation practices and how other technologies may assist with the use of EM to meet probation goals.
Key questions which will be addressed are:

what are the ethical challenges of integrating a range of technologies into probation practice;
what novel technologies are available to support probation goals and electronic monitoring and how are they currently deployed;
what are the possibilities of using Artificial Intelligence with electronic monitoring;
how to maximise engagement of staff and service users with the help of electronic monitoring and other technologies.

Safeguarding the Rights of Child Victims of Crime: The case law of the European Court of Human Rights as inspiration and call to action
2022-06-14 14:30 - 16:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
This high-level seminar offers a forum for introducing, exploring and discussing the case law of law of the European Court of Human Rights concerning the rights of child victims of crime.
Defence for Children International – Italy and the Italian Ministry of Justice, together with the E-PROTECT consortium, are organising this high-level seminar as the third and final international event in the context of the EU co-funded project E-PROTECT II.

Determining and Evaluating the Best Interests and Rights of Children in Parental Separation and Care Proceedings: exploring perspectives and best practices across Europe
2022-06-21 09:30 - 12:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
Join the Council of Europe for this CINGO Civil Society Committee on the Rights of the Child free webinar session with experts and thought leaders across Europe and the opportunity for live online discussion to take place on Tuesday 21 June (9:30-12:30 CET). The webinar will be in English.
The following questions will be addressed in six parallel workshops and two concluding panel discussions. Each workshop starts with an introduction of the theme by a speaker [about 20 minutes] followed by an exchange of views and experiences among participants.
1/ How are the recommendations from UN CRC CG 14 and 20 implemented in the activities of family professionals?
2/ The case of young children: What elements are considered to evaluate BIC of toddlers and infants (under 5-year-old)?
3/ How to promote the rights and wellbeing of older children and adolescents experiencing the care system?
4/ How to organise the defence of children and what are their possibility of recourse and support in cases of violence against their needs?
5/ How to implement the participation of children in expressing their views.
6/ What kind of education and support for parents who are separating or whose child is in care?
We expect to have a lot of interested participants, so we might not be able to give the floor to all. Therefore, in order to smooth the discussion, priority will be given to those who had sent a text before the webinar.
We recommend you express your interest by submitting your brief views and experience before the webinar (maximum 500 words/3 minutes), addressing one or both of the following questions:
1) What is happening in your professional context regarding the workshop question?
2) What needs to be done to improve the situation of children, especially the most vulnerable?
Send the text of intervention you would like to do as soon as possible and before 17 June to:
CivilSocietyCommittee.RC@gmail.com
Sending a text is not mandatory to attend the workshop, you can follow the lectures and discussions online.

Addressing Anti-Social Behaviour: Ensuring Effective Responses and Supporting Victims
2022-06-21 09:30 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Online
This symposium, taking place in the lead-up to Anti-social behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week (18-24 July), provides an invaluable opportunity to examine existing legislation and recent government initiatives designed to tackle ASB and support victims, and to assess the wider, underlying societal problems and policy failures that need to be addressed in order to make meaningful change in this area.
Programme

Evaluate the effectiveness of the current legislative framework for dealing with ASB (ASBCPA Act) and discuss opportunities for reform
Assess the use of the Community Trigger and identify methods to ensure it is accessible for victims and utilised in practice
Examine how local authorities and registered providers (RPs) can prevent ASB and protect victims in their areas
Explore opportunities to enhance the legal rights of victims of ASB, particularly through the proposed Victims’ Law
Debate the success of government initiatives such as the Beating Crime Plan, and assess what more it can do to tackle ASB
Analyse the role of the police and PCCs in dealing with ASB and how the response can be improved
Assess the effectiveness of local responses to reports of ASB, and develop strategies for a more co-ordinated multi-agency response
Raise awareness of the seriousness of ASB and its potentially devastating impacts upon victims, and identify methods to debunk the myth that it is a ‘low-level crime’
Explore successful educational programs raising awareness of ASB within housing areas
Assess the wider, underlying societal problems and policy failures that contribute to ASB
Evaluate the impact of Covid-19 on levels of ASB in communities and discuss opportunities for targeted responses to increased tensions and isolated victims
Reflect on the need to gather more data on instances of ASB and create a plan for the future

Preventing exploitation and ensuring decent work for refugees from Ukraine
2022-06-24 09:30 - 12:45 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
In this webinar organised by ILO, ETUC and La Strada International, the organisers aim to gather the respective perspectives and experiences of relevant actors at the international, European, and selected national levels, NGOs, employers’ and workers’ organisations on the challenges persons fleeing Ukraine face in finding decent work. Questions they seek to answer are:

What are barriers to finding decent work, including obstacles related to the implementation of the EU Temporary Protection Directive and access to the labour market?
Which sectors do persons fleeing Ukraine find work in?
What measures have been taken to ensure that they have access to decent work?
What are success stories? What are elements that contributed to this success?
Are there indications of labour exploitation and how could abuse best be prevented?

Draft agenda
9:30 Opening and Welcome

Ms Lieve Verboven, Director, ILO Office for the EU and the Benelux countries
Ms Suzanne Hoff, International Coordinator, La Strada International

9:40-11:00 Panel 1: Perspectives and experiences from the international and European level

Mr Igor Degnera, Acting Interim Head of the Ukrainian Labour Inspection (SLS – State Labour Service) (tbc)
Mr Pedro Assures Rodrigues, Head of the Enforcement and Analysis Unit, European Labour Authority
Mr Xavi Gomila, Global Public Affairs Manager, World Employment Federation
Ms Mercedes Miletti, Advisor of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)

Moderator: Ms Lieve Verboven, Director, ILO Office for the EU and the Benelux countries
11:15-12:45 Panel 2: Perspectives and experiences from the national contexts

Mr Bart Stalpaert, Director, Sociale Inlichtingen en Opsporingsdienst (SIOD) (tbc)
Mr Vasyl Andreyev, Vice Chair, Federation of Trade Unions in Ukraine, President of the Construction and Building Materials Workers Union of Ukraine (PROFBUD)
Mr Benjamin Cope, Researcher, Foundation Nasz Wybor
Mr Zsolt Dudas, Project Manager in Ukraine, International Labour Organization

Moderator: Suzanne Hoff, International Coordinator, La Strada International

Improving the Safety of Women & Girls: Delivering Structural Changes to Empower Women, Reduce Violence & Increase Prosecutions
2022-07-12 09:30 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Online
This symposium is an invaluable opportunity to discuss and evaluate strategies for widespread structural change. Delegates will discuss methods to prevent VAWG, support and protect victims and survivors, and increase the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in dealing with these cases.
Programme

Examine the current legislative framework for tackling violence against women and girls and discuss opportunities for further legislative reform
Evaluate the effectiveness of the government’s VAWG strategy, and the extent to which this is sufficient in targeting the issue
Discuss steps to improve safety on UK streets and public spaces
Understand why certain crimes such as rape have such low prosecution rates and how that can be improved
Explore how to improve trust in the criminal justice system to ensure that women are empowered to report VAWG
Identify and examine the fundamental causes of violence against women and girls, and raise awareness of the need to target institutionalised misogyny
Consider opportunities for education programs to target and discourage misogyny
Address intersectionalities and understand how to support the most vulnerable groups
Explore how to improve information sharing across agencies to improve police coordination in preventing and combating VAWG
Evaluate the suitability of proposed changes to standards, behaviours and practices within policing
Share best practices of successful campaigns raising awareness and preventing gender-based violence through education

Who Should Attend?

Domestic Violence Coordinators
Police Authorities
Mental Health Professionals
Families Services Officers
Health Service Professionals
Social Care Professionals
Victim Support Representatives
LGBT Rights Associations
Anti-Social Behaviour Coordinators
Community Support Officers
Social Workers and Social Services Officers
Criminal Justice Practitioners
Legal Professionals
Local Authority Officers & Councillors
Equality and Diversity Practitioners
Academics and Researchers
Employers’ Associations
Equal Opportunity Agencies
Women’s Lobbyist Groups
Women’s NGOs Networks
National Coordinators on Gender Equality and Equal Opportunities
Social Exclusion Officers
Human Rights Professionals
Disability Forums and Associations
Women Refugees and Advice Centres

Older women in crises: Invisible among the most vulnerable
2022-07-14 15:00 - 16:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
This event will seek to explore the multiple and intersecting forms of discriminations faced by older women in emergencies and put forward ideas on how to address such challenges and ensure that their needs are met.. Sponsored by the Stakeholder Group on Ageing (SGA) and co-sponsored by the UN Programme on Ageing (Un DESA), UN Women and the Special Procedures Office of the Independent Expert on the Rights of Older Persons, the event will consist of a moderator-driven, interactive panel discussion among high level speakers. Participants will have the opportunity to raise questions and share comments on the specific interventions made by panelists or to the theme of the event. See the flyer and concept note for more details.

Protecting the Rights of Trafficked Persons: Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting III
2022-07-18 13:00 - 2022-07-19 17:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Hofburg, Vienna, Austria
The third Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting of 2022 will provide a forum to discuss how to better protect the rights of victims of human trafficking.
The first session will focus on the rights of child trafficking victims and the specific challenges faced by these most vulnerable of targets.
The second session will centre on means of countering human trafficking in the context of armed conflict.
Against the background of the rapid growth of the use of online platforms to recruit, groom and exploit victims, the third and final working session will discuss how to combat human trafficking in cyberspace.

Policy Reputation Calendar: Why You Need One, and How to Do It
2022-07-27 20:00 - 20:45 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
Join Quorum on July 27th from 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. EST as they discuss why you need a policy reputation calendar, and how to build one. You’ll learn about:

The specific benefits of introducing your organization and issues to stakeholders
How to ensure key players remember you when your issue comes to the table
How to determine which stakeholders you want to share your message with
Which engagement techniques drive the most impact on your relationships with legislators, staff, advocates, or stakeholders

Expert Q&A on Environmental Crime Victim Assistance Program
2022-07-27 20:00 - 21:15 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
Environmental crimes often involve injury or harm to human, pet, and wildlife health and the environment. These criminal violations may result in direct and proximate harm in the form of adverse health impacts or, in the most extreme cases, death. Organizations and businesses may also suffer economic harm due to violations of federal environmental laws and other associated crimes. This session will provide an overview of the Environmental Crime Victim Assistance Program and address the unique victim identification and rights issues associated with environmental crimes.

Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting Victims and Survivors and Protecting All Those at Risk
2022-08-09 09:30 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Online
This symposium provides a timely opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the government’s plan to partially ban conversion therapy, as well as examine ways in which other relevant organisations, bodies and institutions can help to clamp down on the practice, support victims and survivors and protect those who are vulnerable and at risk.
Programme

Discuss the government’s approach to banning conversion therapies
Analyse Conversion Therapy Protection Orders and discuss key gaps and opportunities
Highlight the case for extending the ban on conversion therapy to trans people
Assess how the pandemic has affected global attempts to clamp down on conversion therapies
Examine current support structures for victims and survivors of conversion therapy and assess what more is needed to ensure better support
Identify ways to better protect those at risk of and vulnerable to being imposed or self-referred to conversion therapies
Examine the drivers of conversion therapy, including religious reasons, and discuss how they can be addressed
Compare international responses to conversion therapies and whether they can be applied to the UK
Analyse the UK’s existing legislative framework and how it can be utilised to clamp down on practices that are used as part of conversion therapies
Discuss the role of the police and health authorities in protecting those at risk of being subjected to conversion therapies
