The Aberdeen Law Project is pleased to report the success of its panel discussion on domestic abuse prevention.

The panel was hosted as part of the United Nation’s #16Days of Activism against gender-based violence and saw SACRO FearFree’s Arizona Brodie, Grampian Women’s Aid’s Alison Hay and the SNP’s Gillian Martin MSP speak on domestic abuse prevention.

Discussion centred on the current law surrounding domestic abuse, changes that may improve the current legal position and debunking common misconceptions which prevent victims reporting incidents of abuse.

Arizona Brodie, Domestic Abuse Support Worker, SACRO said: “It’s really important that everyone’s experiences are included in the public narrative about domestic abuse, including people of different genders, sexualities and cultures. We know how difficult it is for women to come forward with their experiences – can you imagine how difficult it would be for someone whose experience isn’t validated by society? Remember that the trauma of experiencing domestic abuse can have a multi-generational and wider societal impact. It’s in everyone’s best interest that those who need help get it, irrespective of their labels.”

Alison Hay, Development and Prevention Lead, Grampian Women’s Aid, said: "We have worked in partnership with Aberdeen Law Project for many years and it was a pleasure to be doing so again. The panel session worked well with lots of discussions on domestic abuse. It is so important to talk openly about domestic abuse and for young people to start discussing and using their professional curiosity to raise awareness. Thank you for the invite to this great session.”

Kara Valentine, project lead, said: “Raising awareness about domestic abuse and how people can support victims of it is key. I know I speak for the team when I say how grateful we are to our three panellists for giving the audience – more than 90 people – the benefit of their valuable knowledge, experience and insight last night.

“The more the law can do to help people in abusive relationships leave them the better, and I hope it continues to develop apace.”