It was such an honour to be asked to be a guest speaker at this empowering, important and inspiring event raising awareness of Domestic abuse in all its forms and to celebrate International Women’s day with such incredible people.

The line up was inspirational itself and a delight to hear from and meet many for the first time including the Domestic abuse commissioner for England and wales Nicole Jacobs.

Survivor, authors and advocates sharing their own powerful experiences Luke Hart and Rachel Williams both whose accounts and lived experiences are shocking yet familiar and vital to be heard…thank you!

Nicola Sharp-Jeffs from SEA (surviving economic abuse) presenting on the many aspects of Financial/economic abuse with the realities we have all faced like 98% of all suffering abuse will. I learnt so much and it was so powerful.

Harriet Wistrich the solicitor behind many  high -profile court cases including Sally Challen, Harriet is also the founder and director of the centre for women’s justice. Anna Hall award winning film maker/director who has made many documentaries including ‘behind closed doors’ which was a personal revelation when watching it whilst being still in my last abusive cycle.

Each and every speaker delivered an incredible speech  with such passion and feeling that it was uplifting despite the subject matter being abuse. I also learnt valuable information from the presenatations. To be a part of the dash charity first national conference was something I will never forget and we are delighted to be collaborating with them on some future projects. DASH have been so supportive of our vision and aims and all in the sector working together will reduce the people that slip through without getting support.

As well as speaking individually we all took part in a panel chaired by Anna Hall allowing vital interaction with all attending and to answer many important questions.

I am astounded by the amount of connections made at the event and the positive feedback to my speech personally, thank you to all who approached me after. My mess and life experience have become my message and if it can help one person it is important to speak at such amazing events. The bruises you cant see can last a lifetime and its so important to get the message that abuse isn’t always physical understood by the many.

I would like to personally thank all at DASH for welcoming me and putting on an amazing conference, Alison Bourne CEO who nearly made my cry before speaking (through such beautiful words) and for being a huge inspiration herself. All speakers for their invaluable insight/presentations and all attendees for being so supportive and interested in changing approaches/understanding of domestic abuse.