SETDAB Conference 2026: Exploring Familial Domestic Abuse Across the Lifespan
The SETDAB annual conference will be held in person on Wednesday, 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.
The conference marks the start of 16 Days of Activism, a global campaign which runs through to 10 December, which is also International Human Rights Day.
This year’s conference focuses on exploring familial domestic abuse across the lifespan, an often-hidden form of domestic abuse.
Target audience
Frontline workers, managers and people working with victims, families and perpetrators of domestic abuse.
Aims and learning outcomes:
- Increase understanding of familial domestic abuse, a significant but often hidden form of abuse, improving identification, support, and coordinated responses.
- Increase understanding of the barriers that prevent family members from seeking help and support.
- Understand the importance of early intervention, prevention and whole-family approaches in addressing familial domestic abuse.
- For learning to be shared and applied to practice within organisations.
Apply for a space
Join us as we come together to raise awareness, inspire action, drive change and strengthen our commitment to enable everyone to live a life free from all forms of domestic abuse. The conference is free of charge to partner agencies across Southend, Essex and Thurrock but late cancellation or non-attendance will incur a fee.
Apply for a space please here or scan the QR code below by the 31 October 2026. If you have secured a place you will receive a confirmation email with further details nearer the time.
Key speakers
Al Coats MBE CF, Social Worker/Nonviolent Resistance (NVR) Practitioner, Trainer/Podcaster
Al is an accredited NVR practitioner, qualified social worker, adoptive parent of six children and former foster carer. For more than 10 years, he has supported families living with complex needs and challenging or violent behaviour through campaigning, blogging and podcasting. In 2020, Al worked with Northumbria Police to co-produce Policing Childhood Challenging Violent or Aggressive Behaviour: Responding to Vulnerable Families. Following a Churchill Fellowship in 2024, he established Walking with Families, a peer community providing specialist support for adopters living with children with complex needs and challenging or violent behaviour.
Web www.alcoates.co.uk
Pod https://adoptionandfostering.podbean.com
Additional speakers will be announced soon.