Portlaoise, Ireland — 30 November & 1 December 2026
8th international EFJCA Conference: Building safety together
Engaging Men and Boys, Preventing Femicide and Advancing Risk Management in Integrated Responses to Violence Against Women
The EFJCA and the Laois Domestic Abuse Service are proud to announce, together with very valued local partners, the 8th International EFJCA Conference.
New challenges and opportunities
As Europe continues to strengthen its response to gender-based violence and domestic violence, new challenges and opportunities are emerging. While multidisciplinary collaboration remains at the heart of effective intervention, increasing attention is being given to the prevention of femicide, the identification and management of high-risk cases, the engagement of men and boys as allies in prevention, and the need for stronger accountability and behavioural change among perpetrators.
Conference programme
The conference programme combines keynote presentations, expert panel discussions and interactive Q&A sessions, offering participants both in-depth knowledge and practical opportunities for exchange and reflection.
Over the course of two days, the conference will bring together internationally recognised speakers and experts from a wide range of disciplines, including academia, medicine, law, public policy, Family Justice Centers, perpetrator programmes and prevention initiatives. Participants will hear from leading researchers, policymakers and practitioners working at the forefront of violence prevention, victim safety and multidisciplinary intervention.
Speakers
Confirmed speakers include Shazia Choudhry (United Kingdom) on femicide research and prevention, Davina James-Hanman (United Kingdom) on homicide reviews, forced suicide, risk assessment and risk management, Ruth Breslin (Ireland) on prostitution and sexual exploitation, Susan Leahy (Ireland) on sexual violence, Sean Cooke (Ireland) on engaging men and boys in the prevention of violence against women and Louise Crowley (Ireland) on bystander approaches and community responsibility.
Additional speakers from Family Justice Centers, the medical and forensic sectors, perpetrator intervention programmes, academia and government have already confirmed their participation, with further experts currently being added. The programme will continue to be refined and expanded, and additional details will be announced in the coming months.
Through keynote speeches, panel debates and audience discussions, participants will explore how Family Justice Centers and other multidisciplinary models can strengthen prevention, improve victim safety, enhance perpetrator accountability and contribute to more effective responses to domestic violence, gender-based violence and child abuse.
Topics
The programme will address a broad range of current and emerging topics, including multidisciplinary collaboration, survivor engagement, engaging men and boys, bystander interventions, perpetrator programmes, femicide prevention, risk assessment and risk management, forced suicide, sexual violence, non-fatal strangulation, abuse during and after pregnancy, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
Registration
Registration will open in September 2026. The programme will continue to be refined in the coming months, with additional speakers and sessions to be announced. Further information on the venue, accommodation, conference fees and programme will be provided in due course.
In the meantime, we warmly encourage you to save the dates in your calendar and share them with colleagues and partners who may be interested. For questions or expressions of interest, please contact us at: info@efjca.eu
Join us in Portlaoise for two days of learning, inspiration and cooperation as we work together to build safer communities, prevent femicide, engage men and boys, and strengthen coordinated responses to violence against women and domestic violence
Participation in person and online is possible.