Lessons from - Gaia: Looking to the Future - What we need to know about online grooming

This free event for Bournemouth University staff, students and invited guests will use the case of Gaia to consider the harms and risks faced by young people online.

Gaia Pope-Sutherland was found dead at Dancing Ledge in Dorset on November 7, 2017, after suffering a mental health breakdown. The 19-year-old had gone missing from her home in Swanage 11 days earlier and according to her twin sister Maya, she was convinced that a man who had allegedly raped her was 'after her'. Gaia allegedly received 'terrifying' text messages in the days leading to her tragic death, which contained threats to kill her family.

“Gaia was 16 when the 21-year-old first made Facebook contact with her and despite warnings from her friends that he had an established reputation “for messing around with young girls”, she thought she could see a good side to him. In her last few social media posts before she died, McDermott notes that they became increasingly distraught and upsetting – they read as if she has been deeply traumatised and is trying to express something inexpressible, unbelievable.” (Lucy Mangen, The Guardian, 23 Jul 2023)

Our Guest Speaker

Clive retired as a Detective Chief Inspector and investigated several high-profile cases obtaining two convictions in the Stephen Lawrence murder. He is currently seeking to raise awareness of this important issue that impacted Gaia and her family.

His talk will focus on how we can work together to protect young people against threatening and harmful messages and consider the harms faced by young people against sexual predators’ online grooming.

There is also a documentary - Dancing on the Ledge, which you can watch if this is a topic of interest

This talk coincides with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. The campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

STARRS will also be at the event to do a short talk on: Local support (role of ISVAs) and safeguarding: what to do if this has impacted you.

Guest Speaker - Biography:

Clive Driscoll - Ex Detective Chief Inspector for MPS, Deputy Chair and Trustee of True Honour Charity. Retired on 31st May 2014 after completing 34 years 9 months exemplary service with the Metropolitan Police Service. Clive retired as a Detective Chief Inspector and investigated several high-profile cases obtaining two convictions in the Stephen Lawrence murder. He became the first police officer to obtain a conviction in an Honour Based Violence murder where nobody has ever been found. The Surjit Athwal murder has been described as a Landmark Case where a conviction was obtained against all odds. He has investigated child abuse cases, gang related violence and in 2012 was voted the Senior Investigator Officer (SIO) in the United Kingdom by the Homicide working group. He currently assists victims and victim’s family who feel they have not obtained Justice. His work with a clinic dealing with severe emotional trauma has seen several criminal cases re opened. Has lectured to several Police Services included Scotland and Ireland. The convictions of two suspects within the Stephen Lawrence murder has been hailed as remarkable in both Parliament and the Police service in general. It also brought praise from Baroness Lawrence OBE and Neville Lawrence

For further information on this event please contact: Dr Louise Oliver or Dr Orlanda Harvey

Emails: loliver@bournemouth.ac.uk or harveyo@bournemouth.ac.uk

How to get to BU:

Lansdowne campus is located in the city centre and is easily accessed via bus and train links. For more travel information please see this link. There is no parking on site, however if public transport isn't possible for you there are a number of local pay and display car parks at Cotlands Road and Madeira Road.

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Image from: UnSplash.com: Annie Spratt