Join us online to celebrate the life and work of Professor Evan Stark who framed the concept of ‘coercive control’ and persuaded governments to pass laws making it an offence.
Evan Stark, who died on 18 March this year, wrote the seminal text, ‘Coercive Control: How men entrap women in personal life” and disseminated his theory around the world. He was an eloquent and passionate advocate for women’s rights and for the grass-roots “shelter” movement, illuminating the workings of misogyny and oppression in the everyday of women’s and children’s lives. His analysis of domestic abuse as a crime of freedom highlighted for practitioners, activists, and academics the links between domestic abuse and women’s poverty and powerlessness.
He also advocated in a number of critical court cases including, in England/Wales, Sally Challen’s appeal against her murder conviction. His work has been used by governments and activists worldwide to introduce reforms to better allow criminal justice systems to hold perpetrators to account and keep women and children safe.
We will hear from academics and practitioners from the UK, Canada, France and Australia as we contemplate his legacy, remember him for his achievements and also for the wonderful personality that he was. We will also discuss how to take forward his legacy and continue with the work that still needs to be done.
The speakers are as follows:
Dr Marsha Scott, CEO Scottish Women’s Aid (Chair)
Jess Hill, Journalist and Activist, and Professor Heather Douglas, Melbourne Law School (Australia)
Dr Ronagh McQuigg, Queens University Belfast (N. Ireland)
Professor Vanessa Bettinson, Northumbria University/Harriet Wistrich, Founder and Director Centre for Women’s Justice (England/Wales)
Dr Lily Greenan, Violence Against Women Consultant (Scotland)
Dr Andreea Gruev-Vintilla, University of Paris-Nanterre (France)
Professor Louise Crowley, University College Cork (Ireland)
Professor Elizabeth Sheehy, University of Ottawa (Canada)
Dr Cassandra Wiener, City Law School (Next steps)
Time zones:
Canada - 6:00am-7:30am
UK - 11:00am-12:30pm
Australia - 8:00pm-9:30pm
New Zealand - 11:00pm-12:30am