16. Harnessing Technology to Accelerate Access to Civil Legal Protection For Survivors
Rosie Watson discusses her work as Head of External Relations with the Domestic Abuse Alliance in the United Kingdom, focusing on reducing the time victims receive legal support from weeks to hours using the WEPROTECT app. She highlights the recent United Kingdom law change recognizing coercive control as a criminal offense, now managed under multi-agency public protection arrangements. Rosie emphasizes the hidden nature of domestic abuse, particularly financial abuse, and the importance of employer support. The organization also provides interpretation and translation services to expand their effectiveness with a growing global population and is committed daily to bringing immediate legal support for domestic abuse survivors.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
Rosie explains her initial involvement in the domestic abuse field through her work with Police and Crime Commissionors.
She details her transition to the Domestic Abuse Alliance and expresses gratitude for a platform to focus on global issues.
Rosie explains the historical view of domestic violence and the introduction of the coercive control law recently passed in the United Kingdom, including its details and effects on abusers.
She emphasizes the importance of the passing of the coercive control law, putting especially financial abuse on par with other forms of arrestable domestic violence offenses.
Rosie explains the development of the WEPROTECT app, which significantly reduces the time it takes victims to receive civil legal support.
She explains the WEPROTECT app is free to use police forces, frontline services and victims.
Rosie discusses the challengers of funding for support services and the new government's pledge to greatly reduce violence against women within the next 10 years.
She expresses her concerns about the continued use of means testing to verify services for domestic abuse victims.
Rosie elaborates on the need for employers and employees alike to receive domestic violence awareness training.
She explains how the recent pandemic was a perfect storm for domestic abuse perpetrators and victim survivors.
Rosie highlights the importance of creating safe spaces at work to start conversations about domestic abuse and empowering line managers and HR teams to support effected workers.
Rosie discusses the Domestic Abuse Alliance's upcoming fundraising and event plans.
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