Savera UK invites you to join our free in-person event for professionals at Storyhouse in Chester: HBA & Harmful Practices Happen Here - Responding As A Frontline Professional.

The event will see Savera UK, Deputy PCC for Cheshire, Gemma Southern, Savera UK Survivor Ambassador, Khatra Paterson, and the Forced Marriage Unit deliver sessions for professionals in the voluntary and statutory sector, working across health and social care, education and domestic abuse services. 

The event will highlight the risk and indicators of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices, including forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), and how to further improve response to these issues, with opportunities to ask questions to specialists and survivors.

As well and knowledge sharing presentations from the Deputy PCC for Cheshire, survivors and the Forced Marriage Unit, Savera UK will deliver a 'mini training' session featuring advice, practical take-homes and a toolkit for professionals.

Prior to the start of the main event, there will be light refreshments, stalls from Cheshire service providers and an opportunity to network with colleagues. 

Details of the schedule below, updates will be provided nearer to the event.

Date: Friday 27th September 2024

Time: 12pm - 4pm

Venue: Storyhouse Chester (Garrett Theatre), Hunter St, Chester CH1 2AR

Schedule:

12pm - Stalls, networking and light refreshments

1pm - Event start

4pm - Event end followed by further opportunities to visit stalls and network 

5pm - Event close

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Afrah Qassim

Afrah is the Founder and CEO of Savera UK, a leading national charity working to end 'honour'-based abuse and harmful practices including female genital mutilation, forced marriage, virginity testing and breast ironing. Afrah is also the Chair of Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) and winner of the Woman of Courage Award by Merseyside Women of the Year Awards 2022.       

Khatra Paterson

Khatra Paterson is a Somalian-born, female business owner and mother of two, with a passion for ensuring women’s health and wellbeing. As an FGM survivor and Savera UK Survivor Ambassador, Khatra is keen to raise awareness about how women can promote and maintain their health and wellbeing irrespective of their experiences. Having spent 32 years as a nurse, midwife and health visitor, Khatra’s caring and compassionate side has been well proven. Khatra has overcome trauma to build a thriving and inclusive £2 million business, and she remains resolved to make a real difference in people's lives by supporting survivors of FGM. 

Forced Marriage Unit

The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) is a joint Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Home Office unit which leads on the government’s forced marriage policy, outreach and casework. It operates both inside the UK (where support is provided to any individual) and overseas (where consular assistance is provided to British nationals, including dual nationals).

Ayesha Alam

Ayesha is the Project Development Coordinator for the Cheshire Project at Savera UK. She oversees service delivery across Cheshire, builds partnerships, and provides training and awareness raising about HBA and harmful practices to diverse audiences across Cheshire. Ayesha is also a published researcher with notable contributions in the fields of ‘honour’-based abuse and domestic violence and has experience of working in psychology practice (in clinical and forensic settings). Additionally, she is currently completing a PhD in Forensic Psychology.