Barriers To Safety

Barriers To Safety is coming to the Greyfriars Charteris Centre on 12 and 13 November, an inaugural national summit on the under-reporting of gender-based violence among Black, migrant and minoritised communities. It's run by Fantanka Diaspora CIC and takes a research-informed look at why women from these communities in Scotland are less likely to report abuse and access safety. Over two days, it asks how migration, culture and systems shape whether a woman feels able to disclose abuse, report it and seek support, and it covers domestic abuse, sexual violence and female genital mutilation.

The first day, Institutions and Migrant Communities, is the summit proper, bringing together community leaders, researchers, public services and policymakers. It's aimed at public services, policing, education, local government, policy, community organisations and women's rights workers, alongside people with lived and community experience. The second day, Roots Conversations, shifts to an informal evening of dialogue on culture, safety and collective responsibility, with food, networking and a Gala & Community Impact Awards ceremony celebrating people and organisations making a difference. That evening also features live performances by Jally Kebba Susso on West African kora and Kumba Kuyateh (Mansa Jali).

It's a two-part event, so you can go for one or both. Day one runs from 9am to 5pm on 12 November; the gala on 13 November goes from 8pm to 1am. Tickets are £25, and the venue is the Greyfriars Charteris Centre at 138/140 Pleasance, EH8 9RR.