As part of the 16 Days of activism violence against women and girls the RCM is hosting a webinar with Payzee Mahmod, Safe Lives and Cavell.

Payzee will explore the dynamics of coercive control within domestic relationships and familial settings, drawing on both lived experience and professional insight. She will talk about her experience of being coerced into a child marriage and virginity testing, highlighting the patterns of psychological, emotional, and financial abuse that can occur, and discuss why it is often harder to recognise than physical violence especially as a young person. Payzee will also cover the impact on survivors’ mental and physical health, the challenges in accessing support, and the barriers that prevent disclosure.

Payzee will share practical guidance for healthcare professionals, particularly midwives, on recognising signs of coercive control, asking sensitive questions, and signposting to appropriate resources.

Safe Lives will address:

• How abusive relationships develop and why victims may not disclose.
• The hidden tactics abusers use that often go unnoticed in clinical settings.
• How to support women safely and sensitively.
• Practical steps you can take in your role and how to care for your own well-being while supporting others.

Cavell will join to panel to address the stigma of those who are abused and the long term implications. They will also signpost members to the support they can survive.

Content warning: domestic abuse

Please be advised that this webinar will include discussions around domestic abuse, including coercive control within intimate and familial relationships. Some of the content may be distressing. The presenter will share personal experiences to provide insight into these issues.

Support resources will be signposted during and after the session. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, please feel free to step away and rejoin when ready.

Speakers 

Payzee Mahmod is a child marriage & FGM survivor, leading advocate, and TEDx speaker recognised for her work on gender based violence. She has been instrumental in driving key legal and policy changes in the UK, including reforms on the minimum age of marriage, the criminalisation of virginity testing and hymenoplasty, the decriminalisation of abortion, and, most recently, the formal recognition of honour-based abuse in law. As an Obama Leadership Fellow, she combines lived experience with strategic advocacy, influencing national legislation and raising awareness. Payzee delivers talks and workshops empowering professionals and communities to recognise abuse, support survivors, and implement trauma-informed approaches.

X: @PayzeeSpeaks, LinkedIn: Payzee Mahmod, Instagram:@PayzeeSpeaks

Alison Parsons, Head of Support, Cavell

Alison’s career began as a civil litigation lawyer representing accident victims, and she later became a specialist welfare benefits caseworker at the Citizens Advice Bureau. From advising and representing people who have suffered injury, illness, disability and working poverty, to now assisting nurses and midwives in personal crisis as Head of Support for Cavell, the theme of helping people in need has remained consistent throughout her career journey. Alison now celebrates ten years of working for the charity and continues to make a profound impact as the demand for support grows and evolves.

Freya Potter, Lead Trainer and Assessor, SafeLives

Freya is a Lead Trainer and Assessor at SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good. Freya has a background working as an Idva (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor), and on domestic abuse helplines. She is Program Lead for SafeLives’ Understanding Domestic Abuse and Dash and Risk Assessment training courses and bespoke training for Healthcare professionals.

i-learn modules

Domestic abuse

Women affected by forced marriage

MIDIRS search pack

P53 Violence and sexual assault in pregnancy