Derry woman to be keynote speaker at major European conference on domestic violence

A Derry woman is to be a keynote speaker at a major European conference on preventing and combating violence against women and young people.

Marie Brown. from Foyle Women’s Aid in the city, will address the “Family Justice Centers in Europe” Conference taking place in Brussels this week.

The conference is the final part of the Daphne III project to prevent and combat violence against children, young people and women and to protect victims and groups at risk.

The project started in January 2013 and is due to end this month with the purpose of the Conference to focus on the main results of the project.

Ms Brown will be accompanied by Mayhor of Derry, Cllr Brenda Stevenson, who said she was "delighted" the excellent work carried out by Foyle Women’s Aid was being acknowledged.

Cllr Stevenson added: “The issue of violence against women and young people is a very serious one and I am delighted that I was invited to attend this very important conference to see at first hand the success stories of the Daphne III programme and the positive impact of close partnership working between groups across Europe."

She concluded: "It’s a great honour for Foyle Women’s Aid to be participating in this conference and I am proud to be representing my city at this event and promoting the good work we are doing to combat violence and provide support for vulnerable members of our society."