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Limited spaces available!

Thursday 14th November 2024, Shakespeare Martineau Solicitors, Birmingham

This workshop is offered to those in senior roles to develop their understanding of gender-based violence; the requirements and expectations of Higher Education Institutions in preventing and responding to it; and to support the move from single initiatives to more integrated approaches.

Why are we offering this workshop?

There has been increased and continuing attention over recent years on the prevalence of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, within Higher Education. Many HEIs now have specific and specialist support in place, and/or run awareness-raising, consent and bystander initiatives across the university community. Yet gender-based violence remains a highly complex and at times contentious issue for HEIs, who are now expected – not least by students and staff – to have a sophisticated whole-institutional approach to prevention and response in place. Clear, unambiguous and sustained attention from those in leadership roles is fundamental to delivering this.

This workshop will focus specifically on exploring the role of senior University leaders in driving a whole-institution approach to preventing and responding to gender-based violence. Through discussion, case studies and direct facilitator input, participants will have an opportunity to explore:

• the nature, prevalence and impacts of gender-based violence in higher education
• the expectations and obligations on HEIs to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct, harassment and other forms of gender-based violence
• leadership role in understanding and managing risk
• the key elements of a whole-institution approach to gender-based violence
• potential future challenges for universities in the context of gender-based violence.

Who should attend?

This workshop is suitable for anyone in a strategic and/or senior leadership role within the university. The discussion-based nature of the workshop will benefit both those with previous experience of responding to gender-based violence in a Higher Education setting, and those with none.

Workshop approach

This one-day workshop will be delivered in-person by expert LimeCulture facilitators.

There will be opportunities through plenary and smaller breakout discussions for participants to share their own professional experiences, and to consider how best to address some of the practical and strategic challenges faced by the sector in this context.

Participants will be limited to 20 to enable meaningful engagement.

LimeCulture and AHUA recognise that discussion of gender-based violence can be difficult and potentially triggering. LimeCulture facilitators will be on hand throughout and after the workshop to support participation.

Workshop Facilitators

Maria Putz, Head of Training

Maria has been with the LimeCulture team since 2019, and is committed to improving services for those affected by sexual violence through building the knowledge, confidence and skills of those supporting them. While at LimeCulture, Maria has trained hundreds of victim support, education. healthcare and policing professionals and helped to develop LimeCulture’s sector-leading models of support in education and policing. Maria has also presented nationally and internationally on healthy relationships and safeguarding in sport. Maria has a background as a specialist safeguarding nurse for the largest children’s hospital in the UK, and has also worked as an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) and a Crisis Worker.

Becky York, Head of Consultancy (Sexual Violence)

Becky has over 20 years of experience in delivering improvement projects across health, social care, and the third sector. Since 2016, Becky has worked at LimeCulture, specialising in strategy and service analysis and improvement, including in higher education. She supports organisations in understanding and embedding safer cultures through effective prevention and response models to address sexual violence, harassment, and abuse.

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