David Challen, who successfully campaigned to have his mother released from prison after she killed his abusive father, will address delegates at the conference. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool law firm Morecrofts is to hold its fifth annual Domestic Abuse Conference in the next few weeks and will welcome a high-profile public speaker.

David Challen, who successfully campaigned to have his mother released from prison after she killed his abusive father, will address delegates at the conference. It takes place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool on Thursday, March 5.

Sally Challen was subjected to years of psychological and sexual abuse at the hands of her husband, Richard, and she ultimately killed him with a hammer in the former family home in 2010.

Last year, the Court of Appeal quashed her murder conviction after judges recognised the ‘coercive control’ she had suffered as a form of domestic abuse. At the event, Mr Challen will recount the family’s ordeal and discussing their attempts to rebuild their lives.

He will be joined by highly experienced family law judge Marilyn Mornington, who became one of the UK’s youngest female judges when she took up the role aged 40. Also speaking is Dr Frank McGuire, a consultant clinical psychologist who is the clinical lead for the development of a new model of adult secure care across Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Having previously led a number of child and adolescent services working with vulnerable and complex children and families, Dr McGuire also leads a specialist personality disorder service working in partnership with probation and criminal justice organisations.

There will also be a performance by the Certain Curtain Theatre Company, presenting their award-winning play Lady in Red, which explores a woman’s attempts to leave an abusive relationship and the barriers she faces.

Now in its fifth year, the Merseyside Domestic Abuse Conference is a multi-agency event designed to offer insight, education and valuable networking to those working in fields related to domestic abuse.

These include care providers, policymakers, academics, legal professionals, housing associations, NHS staff, service shapers, police, social workers, local authority workers, family court professionals and support agencies.

For information on how to attend, email Ami-lee Price at Morecrofts Solicitors at alp@morecrofts.co.uk, or call 0151 236 8871.