Older Women’s Experiences of Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control

There is significant evidence to show that whilst older women are as likely to experience all forms of domestic abuse they are less likely to report it.  Representations in the media and domestic abuse campaigns predominantly reflect domestic abuse as an issue affecting heterosexual, white women of child bearing age, this coupled with gender stereotypes and a perception that abuse is only physical results in older women experiencing abuse for longer and less likely to recognise abuse  or disclose it.  Evidence also indicates that older women in need of services are more likely to be living with their abusers, and experience psychological/emotional abuse at higher rates, than younger women.

This session is aimed at anyone who may come into contact with older women experiencing domestic abuse, including domestic abuse practitioners, practitioners working within criminal and civil justice, health and social care workers and anyone who would like to learn more about responding more effectively to older women who experience domestic abuse. 

Participants can expect to:

• Understand that older women also experience domestic abuse and can suffer significant physical, emotional and social consequences
• Understand that existing attitudes about women and age cause older women to often be virtually invisible in policy and service provision
• Explore the issues related to older women’s experiences of domestic abuse
• Address the specific skills and approaches necessary when speaking with and supporting older women experiencing domestic abuse
• Consider how to apply the knowledge to their own work in supporting older women who have experienced or are impacted by the actions of a domestic abuse perpetrator

Facilitator: Judy Ferguson, SWA National Training Coordinator.

Judy has worked with Women’s Aid since 2011 and also worked with the Scotland SafeLives training team delivering the DA Matters Training Programme to 14,000 Police Scotland staff.  Judy regularly provides training and consultancy to a wide range of multi agency statutory and voluntary bodies including the COPFS, Police Scotland, Social Work, Law Society Scotland, Criminal Justice Workers, Heath, Housing and Violence Against Women & Girls Partnerships etc.  Judy has a wealth of experience informing her practice and a burning passion for working to end domestic abuse and violence against women in all its forms.

We can also offer tailor made, bespoke support with training needs analysis, training, policies and procedures and implementing new legislation. We are happy to build a package specifically relevant to your organisation and the needs of your team, building on the work of our domestic abuse specialist trainers across the country.

We are happy to deliver both virtually and face to face, and can accommodate any number of learners. Our training and inputs are fully interactive, engaging and will support your team with practical application of their learning journey with us.

Please contact judy.ferguson@womensaid.scot Scottish Women’s Aid’s National Training Co-ordinator to discuss your requirements.