North West Regional College (NWRC) has held its first ever Ending Violence Against Women and Girls conference at the college’s Strand Road campus.
The conference, which was attended by a wide range of stakeholders including teaching staff from schools, the local council, health professionals, and representatives from community groups, included influential speakers, and concluded with a panel discussion where participants were able to discuss what they had learned from the event.
Leigh Collins, White Ribbon spoke about the importance of bystander training and Holly Reed from Foyle Women’s Information Network spoke about domestic violence and coercive control. The event also featured a powerful and moving performance of Wasted by Kat Woods, which left a lasting impression on the audience.
Gillian Moss, Head of Client Services at NWRC said: “It’s great to see such a strong gathering of sector colleagues, learning community network staff, partners, community organisations, and college staff joining us today.
“This is an issue of profound importance to the College – we have recently established a working group within NWRC, comprising of students and staff. Our role places us on the frontline of prevention: shaping attitudes, raising awareness, supporting victims and survivors, and ensuring our campuses remain spaces of safety, dignity and respect.
“This conference comes at a pivotal moment. Last year, the Northern Ireland Executive launched its seven year Strategic Framework to End Violence Against Women and Girls as a priority in the Programme for Governments. The Framework emphasises prevention, partnership, and cultural change, and is underpinned by an initial £3 million investment to support community and voluntary sector initiatives working to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours and deliver meaningful change. It calls on all of us—individuals, educational institutions, communities, and civic leaders—to play our part in building a society where women and girls can feel safe and be safe everywhere.
“As an educational institution rooted at the heart of this community, NWRC has a responsibility not only to educate, but to lead, to advocate, and to ensure that our College is a place where safety, respect, and equality are non‑negotiable.
“This conference is one of the ways in which we, as a College community, contribute to that mission. I want to acknowledge the dedication of colleagues across the College and our partners who work daily to support learners and embed these values. And to our speakers—your expertise, lived experience, and insights are vital.
“Ending violence against women and girls requires collective leadership, sustained commitment, and the courage to challenge harmful norms wherever they persist.”
Uel Murphy, NWRC Strabane Campus Manager, Siobhan Faulkner, NWRC Student Services Manager, Shannon Doherty, NWRC Safeguarding Manager, Paul Clancy NWRC Governing Body, Annette Palmer, Department for the Economy, Holly Reed, Foyle Women’s Information Network, Gillian Moss, NWRC Head of Client Services, Charley Cusack, NWRC Widening Access and Participation Manager, and Leigh Collins, White Ribbon.
