National Domestic Abuse Consultant and Trainer

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Roz Davidson is at the forefront of the response to Domestic Abuse in Lewisham from being the Chair of the Violence Against Women and Girls Forum, to being the Domestic Abuse Manager in the borough’s Children and Family Centres, to running her own Company, to delivering training as an AVA National Trainer, Roz is in the frontline when it comes to delivering the Freedom and Community Groups Programmes to support the victims of domestic abuse to recover and rebuild their lives.

 However, Roz recognises that prevention is the long-term solution to Domestic Abuse, which is deeply rooted in culture and attitudes that are learned. Perhaps Roz’s greatest asset is speaking with intelligence and passion to help raise awareness of the signs, intricate behaviours and characteristics of Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control, to challenge policy and practice as well as training a workforce to exhibit the same passion and strength of character she has herself.

 Roz is one of the key protagonists to ensure this hidden harm is exposed to the world, that the experiences of children are not overlooked or forgotten, but acknowledged in a therapeutic and educational way to support recovery and prevent future abuse.

 Despite all of these broad commitments, Roz is always on the end of the phone or representing a victim in a professional meeting. Roz is a key asset to the struggle locally here in Lewisham and is now quite rightly being recognised as an asset nationally.

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“As a commissioner of early intervention services, I understand the devastating impact that domestic abuse can have on children and families, and I am constantly challenging my services and our partners to respond better to this need.

 Whilst we don't have all the answers, we do know that the solution won't be found in a single intervention or a one-off training programme. It sits with the experts who truly understand children and families and the experiences they have faced, and it sits with the remarkable strength and resilience of children and families themselves. Roz epitomises this - she is an expert in her field and a passionate and articulate advocate for children and young people. Most importantly, time and again, she has achieved remarkable outcomes with some of our most vulnerable children and families.

 As a commissioner, Roz offers me a trusted academic and operational view ( as well as plenty of positive critical challenge) that helps shape strategy, policy and commissioning decisions. As a deliverer of services, Roz is kind, relatable and very very effective and fills me with confidence that our children and families are in the safest of hands.”

“Roz has been essential and vital in spreading awareness and educating frontline practitioners to bring the voice of the child to the forefront when working with families that experience domestic abuse in the London borough of Lewisham.

 Her experience of working with children and providing the therapeutic interventions needed to validate children's lived experiences is fundamental in improving the lives of more children and mothers.

 Roz is the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) forum chair in Lewisham. Her contribution and commitment to the forum has made a significant difference to the way VAWG services are delivered and developed.

 It is without doubt that without the work of Roz, the services provided for families who experience gender-based violence would appear very different; her work is totally remarkable.”

“Working with Roz is an incredibly positive experience. Her huge range of knowledge and her commitment to making a real difference to the lives of those impacted by domestic abuse have been both inspirational and transformative in shaping our service delivery.

 She has worked with us to develop the Community Groups Programme in particular into an incredible force for good in the lives of children whose emotions and lived experience has been affected by the abuse they have lived through, and developing staff to become specialists in this area in their own right.

 Her ability to challenge preconceived ideas and approaches in order to bring the importance of this work to people’s attention has, in turn, helped the work grow and expand. She brings colleagues from across the spectrum of statutory and voluntary services along with her, with an excellent ability to teach and support others in making the same journey.

 I would recommend her work unreservedly. We have been fortunate to have had her working with us”.