Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic Abuse

The session enables participants to gain an introductory understanding into the nature, impact and prevalence of domestic abuse highlighting abuse take many forms and does not always have to be physical.  It will enable participants to consider and reflect on the reasons why women experiencing domestic abuse face significant barriers to leaving including the implications and potential dangers of leaving or staying for women, their children and young people. It explores and explains the terminology and rationale of a gendered analysis of domestic abuse, and addresses the commonly asked questions, harmful myths and narratives relating to women’s experiences of domestic abuse.

 Learning outcomes:

• Understanding of domestic abuse and how it impacts on those who experience it and how it affects their behaviour and choices
• Understanding the Scottish Government’s definition of domestic abuse and national policy response
• Understanding the impacts of domestic abuse and economic abuse through theory, research and survivor testimony
• Myth busting around common narratives about domestic abuse
• Knowledge of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, and what it means for practitioners and people experiencing domestic abuse
• Knowledge of services to ensure people experiencing domestic abuse are able to be signposted to appropriate support

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.