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Nexus Annual Conference 2026

Unmasking Sexual Abuse – Uncomfortable Truths

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Annual All-Day Conference. This interactive, full-day event brings together lived experience and professional expertise to deepen understanding and strengthen responses to sexual abuse.

Date & Time: Wednesday, 4 February 2026, 9-5pm

Venue: St Comgall’s – Ionad Eileen Howell, Divis St, Belfast, BT12 4AQ

About the Conference

The conference centres lived experience as a vital source of knowledge in understanding and responding to sexual abuse. Victim-led insights and shared experiences, alongside expert-led workshops, will shed light on the realities of harm and the complex pathways to healing. These sessions will equip you with the knowledge and tools to respond more effectively and compassionately when supporting individuals, and to work towards prevention within our communities.

What to Expect

Lived Experience Stories
Hear powerful perspectives that offer insights no statistic or theory can provide.
Expert-Led Workshops
Engage with specialists from diverse fields as they explore the complexities of sexual abuse and share practical, informed approaches.
Policy Panel
Hear from political leaders across Northern Ireland’s main parties as they discuss the legislative, policy, and societal responses needed to address sexual abuse in our communities.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with professionals, advocates, and experts committed to meaningful change.

More about our lived experience speakers

At this year’s conference, we will be welcoming four speakers who will be sharing their lived experiences to drive awareness, strengthen safeguarding practice, and inspire meaningful change.

Lived Experience of Human Trafficking in Northern Ireland

Our first speaker offers a powerful testimony of resilience, drawing on their lived experience of human trafficking. Through their story, they shed light on the realities behind exploitation, the long‑term impact on survivors, and the critical role communities and professionals play in prevention, early identification, and safe recovery.

Lived Experience of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation)

Our second speaker brings an essential and deeply personal perspective on Female Genital Mutilation. Their insight highlights the cultural complexities, the lasting physical and emotional effects, and the urgent need for informed safeguarding, community education and awareness, and survivor‑led advocacy.

Lived Experience of Historical Institutional Abuse – Video Contribution

The third speaker’s interview shares their journey of navigating life after experiencing historical institutional abuse, offering a testament to strength, healing, and perseverance. Their contribution helps listeners better understand the long term affects of abuse and shares personal insights into their journey to healing.

Lived Experience of Clerical Abuse

Our fourth speaker speaks to the profound impact of clerical abuse and the challenges survivors often face in coming forward. Their story underscores the need for accountability, transparency, and safe spaces where survivors are believed, supported, and empowered.

Why These Voices Matter

These speakers bring more than testimonies they bring insight, and a call to action. Their lived experience is central to shaping better practice, strengthening safeguarding cultures, and ensuring that survivor voices lead the way in policy, training, and community awareness.

We are deeply grateful to each of them for their bravery, generosity, and commitment to helping others learn, reflect, and act.

More about our workshops

The Realities of Human Trafficking in Northern Ireland – Bella Courtney & Sophie Barker

This workshop will examine how trafficking can intersect with issues such as homelessness, substance use, and the criminal justice system, creating layered vulnerabilities that are often misunderstood. Moving beyond short-term interventions, the seminar will apply an intersectional, trauma-informed lens to explore how factors such as housing instability, addiction, and criminalisation—shape survivors’ experiences of harm, recovery, and resilience.

Domestic and Sexual Violence Against Male Victims – Professor Cherie Armour

This 50‑minute workshop provides an evidence‑based, trauma‑informed exploration of domestic and sexual violence perpetrated against men. Drawing on empirical research, clinical insights, and policy perspectives, the session examines the forms and impacts of abuse experienced by men, the role of gendered expectations in shaping disclosure and help‑seeking, and the structural barriers embedded within existing support systems.

Trauma informed approaches to supporting individuals impacted by sexual abuse in the workplace – Aileen McGuinness and Sheina Rigg

This workshop will highlight how ‘big T’ trauma and multiples of ‘small t’ trauma can impact on individuals , especially on young and developing brains. It will look at the stress response system, explore in brief the trauma informed principles of safety, collaboration and inclusion and how they can be applied in practice and in policy in order to support recovery and contribute to resilience. It will explore what works in terms of co-regulation, especially in sexual abuse, and for those who offer services in this area. Participants will gain insight into how implementing a trauma informed approach ensures effective support mechanisms for victims and survivors across all services and sectors.

Supporting Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation – Ifrah Ahmed

Led by Ifrah Ahmed, and Irish-Somali activist and CSO director, this session will explore the Ifrah Foundation’s purpose, activities, and impact. Active since 2014, the organisation’s mission is to achieve the complete eradication of Female Genital Mutilation in Somalia.

The content will explore FGM in terms of practice, prevalence, and prevention, as well examining impacts to the health and wellbeing of victims, including barriers to medical support for survivors seeking help in Ireland/Northern Ireland.

More about our marketplace

How to Get There:

From Belfast City Centre

Walking: 18-20 minutes
By car: 10-15 minutes

Arriving by Bus/Glider

Glider G1 from the city centre towards West Belfast. Alight at Divis Tower, then a short walk to the venue
Metro bus services running along Divis Street/ Falls Road also stop nearby

Arriving by Train

Arrive at Belfast Grand Central Station, then a walk of 20-25 minutes, or Bus/Glider connection towards Divis Street

Arriving by Car

Easy access via Divis Street/ Falls Road from Belfast City Centre

Parking

Free parking is available at the venue (accessed via the main gates)
Additional parking is available in the St Peter’s Cathedral car park beside the venue

Food & Refreshments

Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.

Many thanks to our sponsors Tony Clarke & Company, and Precept IT