Hidden Battles: Domestic Abuse in Military Life

Members of the armed forces can access this training for free by entering discout code ‘MILITARY’ on checkout.

Domestic abuse within military communities presents both familiar and distinct challenges. While the dynamics of coercive control, risk and harm remain consistent, the context of military life — including mobility, hierarchy, deployment, and close-knit communities — can create additional barriers to disclosure, support, and safety.

This training is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and confidence to effectively support survivors who are serving personnel or military spouses/partners.  It explores how domestic abuse manifests within military settings, the impact of military culture on help-seeking, and the specific risks associated with service life, including isolation, reputational concerns, and the overlap between personal and professional environments.

Through practical scenarios and applied learning, participants will develop a deeper understanding of how to recognise abuse, respond safely and appropriately, and navigate both civilian and military support pathways.  The training emphasises a trauma-informed, survivor-centred approach while strengthening multi-agency and cross-sector working.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Understand the dynamics of domestic abuse and how these intersect with military life
• Identify how factors such as deployment, relocation, and service hierarchy can influence both abuse and access to support
• Recognise barriers to disclosure unique to military families
• Identify appropriate civilian and military support services and referral pathways
• Understand how to work within and alongside military systems and structures
• Identify opportunities to strengthen support within military contexts

Facilitator: Jodie McVicar is Head of Training with Scottish Women’s Aid, overseeing national training and strategic partnerships across Scotland.  Jodie has previous experience working within refuge at Edinburgh Women’s Aid, and as a Trustee with Fife Women’s Aid. Jodie also has experience working within child protection, including leading CLD and assessing practice of safeguarders via the National Safeguarders Panel team with Children 1^st.  Jodie is also an accredited Safe and Together trainer, and has extensive experience of embedding training and implementation into wider systems change – particularly in relation to domestic abuse and other human rights issues.