HRF event attracts a full house

On Saturday, 28 June over 300 people from across Hackney attended Hackney Refugee Forum’s event to find out about domestic violence, and take part in a community discussion on how to tackle this problem. Domestic violence affects people from all backgrounds, however the problem can be harder to tackle within new communities because of a lack of knowledge of where to go to get help as well as cultural reasons. Our event proved very popular, 185 people registered in the first hour, and in all twenty three countries were represented.

Ugandan food was served and provided a great opener for networking and the opportunity to browse information stalls by voluntary and community sector (VCS) and public sector providers including Hackney Community College and the Primary Care Trust (PCT).  Throughout the day, relaxation and massage was provided to guests by Hands Inc, a VCS organisation which provides alternative therapies.

To introduce the topic, Turkish speaking mental health students from Westminster University delivered a presentation which covered the relationship between mental health issues and domestic violence, how to tackle it and where to go for help.

Insightful panel discussion

A panel discussion followed, with experiences of domestic violence from speakers from African Caribbean, Turkish, Kurdish and Iraqi communities in a panel chaired by Diana Chituku from the PCT. Each of our three panelists gave an eye opening and at times a harrowing insight into domestic violence and its lasting effects. The first speaker was a domestic violence survivor who reflected on her experience of violence which was so bad that she was left temporarily paralysed. She described how she coped with it for the sake of her children and how she finally got help.

Emine Yoca from Imece, a Turkish and Kurdish women’s organisation, described her experiences of working with survivors and victims of domestic violence. Finally, we heard from a woman from an Iraqi / Kurdish organisation on her experience of bringing together women who have faced violence from family members.

The discussion opened up to the audience. One young man told of his experience of what he described as racism when reporting domestic violence to the police and hospital. He criticised their reluctantance to deal with domestic violence within new communities and tendancy to focus on the legal immigration status of the victim not the physical / medical condition.

To close, entertainment arrived in the form of Busoga dancers from Uganda, Ethiopian singers and Turkish and Kurdish dancing from Alevi Cultural Centre and the London Turkish and Kurdish Dance competition winners: International Music and Dance Centre’s children’s group. At the end, handicrafts donated by all our partner organisations were raffled.

Ali Aksoy, Chair of Hackney Refugee Forum said: ‘We should continue to hold events like this not just for new communities but for everyone in Hackney to discuss common issues and find solutions. Many people don’t want to talk about domestic violence for the sake of children and family as well as traditional or cultural reasons. This is wrong – domestic violence is a crime, people need to know they can call the police and get help. Everyone who came said they learnt where to get advice, how to expose the problem and get legal help.  Emine Yoca from Imece showed that boys and girls will copy their parents, so if they see their Dad hitting their Mum, when they get older they will do the same.  A member of the audience suggested that ‘This needs to be discussed and taught in schools to help prevent the cycle of violence’.’

Download more pictures from the event here (1.3 MB)

This event was organised by Hackney Refugee Fourm partnership between Hackney African Forum, Diaspora, Agroforep, Refugee Workers Cultural Association (RWCA), Cemevi, Tohum Cultural Association, The Stroke Project, PCT, Busoga, Sahill Housing. On behalf of everyone involved in organising the event, Hackney Refugee Forum would like to thank everyone who attended and the 33 volunteers who helped with setting up the day, preparing the food, and stage management.