From Grief to Domestic Abuse – Why LIFI25 Confronts Taboo Topics

Sarah Towns, one of the curators behind the Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI25), reveals why the festival never shies away from tackling society’s most difficult conversations. From mental health and grief to women’s health inequalities and now domestic abuse, LIFI’s bold programming and sensitive curation aim to break down the barriers around topics we often find too painful, awkward, or uncomfortable to discuss.

LIFI25 prides itself on confronting some of society’s most pressing and often taboo subjects through thought-provoking panels and talks. Each year, its diverse programme brings together a wide range of speakers and perspectives, combining bold programming with sensitive curation to encourage open and meaningful dialogue.

Many of these topics are ones we naturally avoid. Whether they are too shocking, too painful, too embarrassing, or simply overwhelming, subjects like mental health, grief, addiction, women’s health inequalities – and now domestic abuse – are often backed by stark statistics but rarely spoken about openly.

Yet ignoring these conversations does not make the issues disappear. One of LIFI’s core principles is that talking about complex subjects can help break the cycle of silence, reduce stigma, and inspire change.

The festival’s How Do We Talk About… series is designed to shine a light on essential but uncomfortable issues, creating a safe and supportive space for honest dialogue. Here, audiences can hear directly from educators, experts, survivors, and representatives from support organisations. Together, they share moving personal stories, practical advice, and messages of hope – empowering people with knowledge, empathy, and the confidence to join these crucial conversations.

This year, LIFI25 turns its focus to one of the most challenging topics yet: Why We Need to Talk About Domestic Abuse. Domestic abuse is a national emergency, with 1 in 5 adults in the UK experiencing it in their lifetime. Still, it remains a subject shrouded in shame, with many victims suffering in silence for fear of speaking out.

At this year’s festival, veteran broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire, who has spoken publicly about growing up with a violent father, will be joined by survivors Rachel Williams and Andrew Pain, the UK’s Domestic Abuse Commissioner Dame Nicole Jacobs, and Natasha Rattu, Chief Executive of Leeds honour-based abuse charity Karma Nirvana. Together, they will explore what domestic abuse is, how to recognise it, why it happens, and how to support those affected.

It will be a powerful, unflinching panel and one that embodies LIFI’s mission to have the conversations many avoid, but everyone needs to hear. By talking openly about these hard truths, we can begin to break the silence and, hopefully, help prevent them from happening in the future.

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