Taboo subjects were discussed at a women-only conference aimed at showing those in need there is help available.

The annual Sadi Awaz Suno (Listen to our Voices) conference was organised by the Kent Equality Cohesion Council and Rethink Mental Illness Shayak Services with the support of the Gravesham council-led Altogether Safer Project and was held at the Woodville in Gravesend last Friday.

On the agenda were important issues which are not often discussed openly including mental health, online grooming, child disability, wellbeing and domestic abuse.

The audience of around 300 were addressed by Asst Chf Con Jo Shiner from Kent Police, who spoke about the work done around supporting victims of domestic abuse, while Parmi Dheensa from Include Me Too discussed child disability and how communities from the Indian Sub-continent deal with it.

Local GP, Dr Manpinder Sahota spoke about wellbeing and mental health and how communities can help themselves and key note speakers Shahien Taj MBE from the Henna Foundation and Yasminara Khan from the BBC discussed honour based crime and online grooming.

Gurvinder Sandher, the CEO of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council, said: “It is important that events like this take place so that there can be an open and informed discussion around issues such as mental health, domestic abuse, on-line grooming and honour based crime which we know affect members of the local community. Sometimes people do not know who to turn to for help and support and that is why we hold this event.”

Carol Gosal, Rethink Mental Illness service manager for Kent, added: “It is important that we all work together, communities, the authorities and local charities to raise awareness and provide support those who are experiencing issues relating to mental health and domestic abuse. Events like

this are a step towards this and we look forward to working with our partners to make more positive strides over the coming months.”