Bitesize Free Webinar: Exploring Women, Violence, and Emergency Workers

Tuesday, November 20th, 2025: 12:30 PM – 13:00 PM (via Teams)

Here are the speakers’ details:

Ms Maria Birchall

I have recently completed a Master’s degree at Durham University studying Behavioural Science. For my dissertation I examined the recent rise in female perpetrated violence against emergency workers (EWs) by exploring the perspectives and experiences of EWs impacted by such violence. Since the offence ‘Assault on Emergency Workers’ (2018) was introduced, there has been an increase in the number of women imprisoned for this offence, a trend not observed among men. This qualitative research explores the complex nature of female perpetrated violence against emergency workers and identifies key factors which may have contributed to this increase in imprisonment. As the first study in the UK to examine such female perpetrated violence, the findings offer important insights into the rising trend.”

Dr Jude Kelman – Co-Supervisor

Dr Kelman is the Lead Forensic Psychologist for Women’s Group within His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS). Jude has over 30 years’ experience as a forensic psychologist within HMPPS, and for the past ten years she has been instrumental in establishing and growing a team of forensic psychologists working across the 12 women’s prisons in England. Jude is passionate about improving outcomes for women in contact with the criminal justice system and recently completed a PhD examining trauma-informed care within women’s prisons.