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Queen Camilla praises Wiltshire efforts to tackle domestic abuse at Marlborough summit
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
The Queen made a surprise appearance at a major violence against women and girls summit in Marlborough, commending the county for its commitment to addressing domestic abuse.
The Queen made an unannounced appearance at a landmark summit held at Marlborough College on Friday, 23 October, where she praised Wiltshire for its proactive approach to ending domestic abuse. The EVAWG (Ending Violence Against Women and Girls) Summit 2026 saw 400 delegates gather to discuss strategies for preventing abuse and challenging the societal culture surrounding the issue.
During the event, the Queen joined a panel discussion alongside Labour MP Jess Phillips and Dame Nicole Jacobs, the domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales. The session was chaired by television presenter Fiona Bruce. Addressing the audience, the Queen highlighted the importance of removing the taboo surrounding the subject, stating: Talking is what we have to do. Domestic abuse was a taboo subject that nobody talked about, it was hush-hush, but now everybody is getting up there and talking about it.
The Queen specifically commended the county's leadership in this field, remarking that she was impressed that Wiltshire is leading the way in this quest to end domestic violence.
The summit, organised by Amesbury councillor Dr Monica Devendran and chaired by Lady Fiona Lansdowne, featured a diverse range of speakers including documentary maker Zara McDermott and criminal behavioural analyst Laura Richards. Discussions focused on the evolving nature of abuse, particularly the impact of digital technology and social media. Hetti Barkworth-Nanton, chair of the charity Refuge, opened the conference by describing the issue as a national emergency, noting that younger generations are increasingly exposed to abuse both as victims and perpetrators.
A recurring theme throughout the day was the need for systemic change. Jess Phillips, a former minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, spoke about the ongoing reality for women, noting that many still feel the need to take precautions such as messaging friends when arriving home safely. She expressed an ambition to make Wiltshire a benchmark for the safety of women and girls.
The event also served as a reminder of the region's long-standing history in supporting survivors. Dame Nicole Jacobs highlighted that Swindon was a pioneer in this space, with the establishment of one of the first women's refuges in the country 52 years ago, originally known as Swindon Women's Aid and now operating as Society Without Abuse.
Closing the summit, Lady Lansdowne called for a continued groundswell of action from local communities to transform these conversations into lasting change. Councillor Devendran emphasised that the mission would continue beyond the summit, stressing the need for collective responsibility to ensure everyone feels protected in both physical and digital spaces.
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