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  • Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic Abuse

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Learning Outcomes:  
    • Understanding the Scottish Government’s definition of domestic abuse and national policy response
    • Understanding the impacts of domestic abuse through theory, research and survivor testimony
    • Knowledge of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, and what it means for practitioners and people experiencing domestic abuse
    • Confidence working in a relational, trauma-informed manner to ensure people experiencing domestic abuse get the proper support
    • Myth busting around common narratives about domestic abuse
    Facilitator: Marianne Osborne has worked with Renfrewshire Women’s Aid since 2002 as a refuge worker supporting women, children and young people subjected to domestic abuse. She has been delivering training and awareness on Domestic Abuse and other forms of Gender Based Violence since 2004 locally on behalf of RWA and Renfrewshire’s Gender Based Violence Strategy Group. Nationally, Marianne is an associate network trainer for Scottish Women’s Aid delivering to a range of multi-agency partners, including Social Work, Health, Caledonia Programme and Women’s Aid workers.
    £10.00 – £25.00

  • CYP Experiences of Domestic Abuse

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Learning Outcomes:  
    • Understanding how children and young people experience domestic abuse through theory, research and survivor testimony
    • Understanding of the physiological impacts of domestic abuse on children, and how to mitigate this as professionals
    • Knowledge of how domestic abuse impacts on the child’s relationship with the abusing parent and the non-abusing parent, and the role children take in this family dynamic
    • Supporting children and young people experiencing domestic abuse
    • Introduction to the key concepts of the Safe and Together model
    Facilitator: Marianne Osborne has worked with Renfrewshire Women’s Aid since 2002 as a refuge worker supporting women, children and young people subjected to domestic abuse. She has been delivering training and awareness on Domestic Abuse and other forms of Gender Based Violence since 2004 locally on behalf of RWA and Renfrewshire’s Gender Based Violence Strategy Group. Nationally, Marianne is an associate network trainer for Scottish Women’s Aid delivering to a range of multi-agency partners, including Social Work, Health, Caledonia Programme and Women’s Aid workers.
    £10.00 – £25.00

  • Safe & Together Overview Training

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Time: 09:15 – 13:00 on both days

    This course delivered over two half days explores the Safe and Together model being adopted across various authorities in Scotland and worldwide. The model provides a framework for partnering with domestic abuse survivors and intervening with domestic abuse perpetrators in order to enhance the safety and well-being of children. The Overview Day will provide an overview of the framework which seeks to improve competencies and cross system collaboration related to the intersection of domestic abuse and child welfare. Although the Safe & Together model was developed to help child welfare systems become domestic violence-informed, the audience for this work is much larger. It’s for anyone who is interested in the intersection of domestic abuse and children and improving the safety and wellbeing of anyone impacted by domestic abuse. Aims:
    • Understand the key principles and practice approaches of Safe & Together
    • Gain increased understanding of methods for identifying foundational sources of risk for survivors and children experiencing domestic abuse
    • Explore effective and efficient ways to promote the safety, permanency and wellbeing of children in a family impacted by a domestic abuse perpetrator.
    • Understand how adopting Safe & Together principles can improve outcomes for children and families by increasing their capacity to intervene with perpetrators, particularly as it relates to the safety and wellbeing of children.
    Facilitator: Judy Ferguson has worked with Women’s Aid since 2011, initially as the Chair of South Lanarkshire Women’s Aid, prior to spending 9 years with East Ayrshire Women’s Aid where she was responsible for the East Ayrshire Violence Against Women Multi-Agency Partnership Learning and Development Programmes and the lead trainer in East Ayrshire HSCP for all GBV training. Recently Judy has become a Safe & Together Certified Trainer and was part of the Scotland SafeLives training team delivering the DA Matters Training Programme to 14,000 Police Scotland staff, alongside being part of the Scottish Women’s Aid expert Coercive Control training team supporting the wider roll out of the new Domestic Abuse Scotland Act (DASA) 2018. Judy previously coordinated and delivered the CEDAR programme and works widely across a range of settings training and awareness raising and is passionate about improving the understanding of and response to women and children experiencing domestic abuse.  
    £55.00

  • Rurality & Domestic Abuse

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Despite prevalence levels being similar, rural survivors are half as likely as urban victims to report domestic abuse and experience abuse on average about 25 times longer. Whilst much has been done to raise awareness of domestic abuse across Scotland, much less is known about the specific needs of victims and survivors in rural areas. Vast geographic areas, close knit communities, poor public transport, distance to services and the isolation of remote and rural areas can be used by perpetrators to further their control.  Often this means the more rural the setting, the higher risk of serious harm. The session will provide an opportunity to explore and reflect on the specific needs of rural victims, survivors and their children impacted by domestic abuse, providing practical steps to improve the identification and response to provide better, safer outcomes for rural victims and survivors   By the end of the course, you will:
    • Understand how Domestic Abuse in rural areas is different to urban areas
    • Have increased confidence and skills in recognising the signs of domestic abuse in victims and survivors
    • Understand the additional barriers to leaving which victims face in rural communities
    • Explore the practice implications for addressing domestic abuse and supporting victims and survivors in rural areas.
    • Have knowledge of local domestic abuse services and how to signpost to them​
    Facilitator: Judy Ferguson has worked with Women’s Aid since 2011, initially as the Chair of South Lanarkshire Women’s Aid, prior to spending 9 years with East Ayrshire Women’s Aid where she was responsible for the East Ayrshire Violence Against Women Multi-Agency Partnership Learning and Development Programmes and the lead trainer in East Ayrshire HSCP for all GBV training. Recently Judy has become a Safe & Together Certified Trainer and was part of the Scotland SafeLives training team delivering the DA Matters Training Programme to 14,000 Police Scotland staff, alongside being part of the Scottish Women’s Aid expert Coercive Control training team supporting the wider roll out of the new Domestic Abuse Scotland Act (DASA) 2018. Judy previously coordinated and delivered the CEDAR programme and works widely across a range of settings training and awareness raising and is passionate about improving the understanding of and response to women and children experiencing domestic abuse.  
    £10.00 – £25.00

  • Safe & Together Overview Training

    Zoom
    Virtual Training Session

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    Time: 09:15 – 13:00 on both days

    This course delivered over two half days explores the Safe and Together model being adopted across various authorities in Scotland and worldwide. The model provides a framework for partnering with domestic abuse survivors and intervening with domestic abuse perpetrators in order to enhance the safety and well-being of children. The Overview Day will provide an overview of the framework which seeks to improve competencies and cross system collaboration related to the intersection of domestic abuse and child welfare. Although the Safe & Together model was developed to help child welfare systems become domestic violence-informed, the audience for this work is much larger. It’s for anyone who is interested in the intersection of domestic abuse and children and improving the safety and wellbeing of anyone impacted by domestic abuse. Aims:
    • Understand the key principles and practice approaches of Safe & Together
    • Gain increased understanding of methods for identifying foundational sources of risk for survivors and children experiencing domestic abuse
    • Explore effective and efficient ways to promote the safety, permanency and wellbeing of children in a family impacted by a domestic abuse perpetrator.
    • Understand how adopting Safe & Together principles can improve outcomes for children and families by increasing their capacity to intervene with perpetrators, particularly as it relates to the safety and wellbeing of children.
    Facilitator: Judy Ferguson has worked with Women’s Aid since 2011, initially as the Chair of South Lanarkshire Women’s Aid, prior to spending 9 years with East Ayrshire Women’s Aid where she was responsible for the East Ayrshire Violence Against Women Multi-Agency Partnership Learning and Development Programmes and the lead trainer in East Ayrshire HSCP for all GBV training. Recently Judy has become a Safe & Together Certified Trainer and was part of the Scotland SafeLives training team delivering the DA Matters Training Programme to 14,000 Police Scotland staff, alongside being part of the Scottish Women’s Aid expert Coercive Control training team supporting the wider roll out of the new Domestic Abuse Scotland Act (DASA) 2018. Judy previously coordinated and delivered the CEDAR programme and works widely across a range of settings training and awareness raising and is passionate about improving the understanding of and response to women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
    £55.00

  • Key Approaches in Asking & Responding to Domestic Abuse

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    Virtual Training Session

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    How do you provide a validating and supportive response to someone experiencing domestic abuse? What are the signs of abuse?  How do you ask and, importantly how do you respond if someone discloses it’s happening or has happened to them? Experiencing domestic abuse can be overwhelming.  Survivors responses describe feelings of guilt, shame and embarrassment, being unsure of what is happening to them; where they can go and what help they can get, fearful of doing anything which might increase risk to their or their children’s safety. Women who feel able to disclose typically describe a history of long-standing, escalating abuse and violence, remarking on how much they wanted to be able to talk about what was going on, if only someone had asked them. This session explores the best practice in asking about abuse, potential indicators of abuse, the principles of safety planning and the importance of signposting to specialist services. By the end of the session you will:
    • Understand the impact of domestic abuse on those who experience it and how it affects their behaviour and choices
    • Have an enhanced understanding of the main issues in asking and responding to anyone experiencing domestic abuse
    • Have greater knowledge, skills confidence and motivation to recognise and respond to domestic abuse.
    • Have explored and practised the skills, knowledge and tools to better identify risk, assess protective factors and increase safety for those experiencing domestic abuse.
    Facilitator: Judy Ferguson has worked with Women’s Aid since 2011, initially as the Chair of South Lanarkshire Women’s Aid, prior to spending 9 years with East Ayrshire Women’s Aid where she was responsible for the East Ayrshire Violence Against Women Multi-Agency Partnership Learning and Development Programmes and the lead trainer in East Ayrshire HSCP for all GBV training. Recently Judy has become a Safe & Together Certified Trainer and was part of the Scotland SafeLives training team delivering the DA Matters Training Programme to 14,000 Police Scotland staff, alongside being part of the Scottish Women’s Aid expert Coercive Control training team supporting the wider roll out of the new Domestic Abuse Scotland Act (DASA) 2018. Judy previously coordinated and delivered the CEDAR programme and works widely across a range of settings training and awareness raising and is passionate about improving the understanding of and response to women and children experiencing domestic abuse.  
    £10.00 – £25.00

  • Abuse in Young People’s Relationships

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Young people spend their lives on their phones; social media, sport, fashion and music often define the behaviours and set expectations as to how young people should act in relationships. What is healthy and what’s not becomes hard to identify and more and more young people are now identifying with and experiencing  coercive and controlling behaviours than they do domestic abuse.  Research shows that young people aged 13-17 are experiencing high levels of abuse in their own relationships and professionals could be better placed to recognise and respond to the signs of coercive, unhealthy and abusive relationships.   This session will seek to explore and equip participants with the skills and knowledge to spot the signs and sign post to support as appropriate. Aims:
    • Understand the definition of coercive control in young people’s relationships
    • Develop an understanding of current legislation which protects children and young people
    • Gain an introduction to the link between coercive control, trauma and the teenage brain
    • Be able to identify signs of coercive control in young people’s relationships and respond to it appropriately
    • Increase your knowledge about how to implement a trauma informed response
    Facilitator: Judy Ferguson, SWA National Training Coordinator. Judy Ferguson worked as the Trainer with East Ayrshire Women’s Aid for nearly 10 years, leading on all Domestic Abuse and Gender Based Violence multi agency training within the local Violence Against Women Partnership,  including securing the establishment and roll out of Safe & Together across Children & Families Social Work and the local Health & Social Care Partnership.  As a SafeLives Subject Matter Expert Judy also delivered the Domestic Abuse Matters training programme to Police Scotland supporting the roll out of the ground breaking Domestic Abuse Scotland Act (2018).  After working with SWA in various capacities over the years Judy joined the team at SWA full time as National Training Coordinator in July 2021. 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.
    £10.00 – £25.00

  • Understanding Post Separation Economic Abuse

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    Virtual Training Session

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    For decades, victim-survivors of domestic abuse have been asked, ‘why don’t you just leave?’. This question illustrates a lack of understanding of how coercive control operates, the safety implications for women attempting to separate, as well as the finances required to separate and remain separated. However, a further fallacy is also at play - the assumption that the abuse ends when the relationship ends. Through PhD research with victim-survivors and domestic abuse support workers in Scotland, this presentation will explore the various tactics of economic abuse that perpetrators introduce post-separation to continue their campaign of power and control over victim-survivors’ lives. The session will highlight how post-separation economic abuse includes a variety of interpersonal as well as formal tactics - illustrating how perpetrators are able to facilitate abuse through institutions, such as banks, and via legal processes which are intended to provide justice. With permission from the Domestic Abuse Intervention Program (DAIP), Jenn has adopted the original Duluth Power and Control Wheel to situate the participants’ experiences of post-separation economic power and control and will present this newly adapted wheel to illustrate key findings from her research. Facilitator: Jenn has spent 10 years working in research, policy and educational roles in the field of violence against women. She holds an LL.M. in International Human Rights Law and a MRes in Public Policy Research. Jenn is a PhD candidate at the University of Glasgow, where her research examines economic abuse, the costs of separation and support available for victim-survivors in Scotland. Alongside her role as PhD candidate, she also works as the Banking Specialist for the charity Surviving Economic Abuse. In 2020, Jenn was a visiting scholar in the Center on Violence Against Women and Children at Rutgers University in the US. She has developed an expertise in economic abuse and banking and has undertaken key research collaborations with the Royal Bank of Scotland and is currently seconded to Lloyds Banking Group.
    £10.00 – £25.00

  • Domestic Abuse, Trauma and Mental Health

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Dr Mairead Tagg’s session is for anyone wanting to enhance their understanding of the relationship between mental health and domestic abuse, and a trauma-informed approach to working with women and young people to support their recovery. This session is designed to raise awareness about how domestic abuse and mental health intersect and to offer effective ways to engage with and support women impacted by these issues. Aims:
    • Debunk myths about mental health, domestic abuse and sexual abuse
    • Understand how the human brain responds to trauma and abuse, how this affects how people may present and be responded to, and creates barriers to seeking help
    • Understand the short and long term effects of domestic abuse on women and children
    • Understand the intersections between experiences of domestic abuse and Mental Health
    • Increase your knowledge about how to provide a trauma and domestic abuse informed response
    Facilitator:  Dr Mairead Tagg Dr Mairead Tagg is a clinical psychologist who worked for Glasgow East Women’s Aid for 19 years, working directly with survivors of domestic abuse and child sexual abuse and providing specialist training on issues relating to psychological trauma in adults and children. She now works as an independent clinical psychologist specialising in gender based violence. As well as working with individuals, she provides court reports in criminal and civil cases where domestic abuse is an issue.  Dr Tagg is also a visiting lecturer at Glasgow University and an associate lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Glasgow Caledonian University.
    £10.00 – £25.00

  • Risk AND Recovery

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Please note, this session was postponed from 26th May 22 It is vital when working with women experiencing domestic abuse to balance the need to assess and manage risk with addressing matters of her recovery. Separation does not automatically equal safety and although the relationship may be over the abuse and risk may still be significant.  For those who are now feeling safe, recovering from abuse by someone who was close to you is a long process, and the impact caused by the perpetrator may still may stay with the survivor and children for years. Many survivors report positive experiences of recovery however many also report they experience grief, pain and a deep sense of loss: trust has been betrayed, self-esteem and confidence are shattered. Many Survivors relay it is like being bereaved – and as with a bereavement, healing will take time. The aim of this training is to build on existing understanding of domestic abuse and highlight sensitive service provision, providing delegates with the confidence and tools to support women experiencing domestic abuse. The course will provide practical approaches and an opportunity to explore models and tools for assessing risk and working with trauma to support and sustain their recovery. Aims
    • Understand why it is difficult for some woman to talk about their experiences and consider ways of working with this
    • Address the barriers stopping workers asking about domestic abuse
    • Understand the importance of assessing and managing risk around domestic abuse and practice using tools which do this
    • Identify the importance of initial safety planning discussions
    • Understand the impact of experiencing trauma and explore models which help implement supportive responses to those affected by trauma who experience it and how it affects their behaviour and choices
    Facilitator: Heather Williams Heather has worked in the violence against women sector for 20 years in a variety of roles including Chair of Scottish Women’s Aid and as Manager of Ross-shire Women’s Aid.  Heather has vast experience of managing and delivering services and support to women, children and young people, and delivering training and awareness raising to a wide range of stakeholders and professional bodies.
    £10.00 – £25.00

  • Hidden Homicides – the role of suicide in domestic abuse

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Perpetrators of domestic abuse employ a wide range of tactics to control and abuse their partners or ex -partners. Survivors report a range controlling, emotional and destructive tactics all of which can have devastating effects on their emotional and mental well-being and without support or safety many women feel there is no escape other than through ending their life by suicide. Recent research by Professor Jane Monckton-Smith and other academics have highlighted many suicides are in fact the ‘hidden victims’ of domestic abuse.  Professor Monckton-Smith has received Home Office funding to examine about 100 suicides related to domestic abuse in order to pick out the patterns and identify the red flags.  The sociologist Prof Sylvia Walby, estimated that about one-third of female suicides were women who had experienced domestic violence. In 2018, a study of 3500 women accessing  services  that support women and children experiencing domestic abuse, established that 24% had felt suicidal and 18% had made plans to end their life. This session seeks to explore the literature and emerging research in this area, enabling consideration as to how best safety and risk can be considered in this context, potential indicators, the principles of safety planning and the importance of signposting to specialist services. By the end of the session you will:
    • Understand the impact of domestic abuse on those who experience it and how it affects their behaviour and choices
    • Have an enhanced understanding of the main issues in asking and responding to anyone experiencing domestic abuse
    • Have greater knowledge, skills confidence and motivation to recognise and respond to domestic abuse.
    • Have explored and practised the skills, knowledge and tools to better identify risk, assess protective factors and increase safety for those experiencing domestic abuse.
    Facilitator: Judy Ferguson, SWA National Training Coordinator. Judy Ferguson worked as the Trainer with East Ayrshire Women’s Aid for nearly 10 years, leading on all Domestic Abuse and Gender Based Violence multi agency training within the local Violence Against Women Partnership,  including securing the establishment and roll out of Safe & Together across Children & Families Social Work and the local Health & Social Care Partnership. As a SafeLives Subject Matter Expert Judy also delivered the Domestic Abuse Matters training programme to Police Scotland supporting the roll out of the ground breaking Domestic Abuse Scotland Act (2018).  After working with SWA in various capacities over the years Judy joined the team at SWA full time as National Training Coordinator in July 2021. 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.
    £10.00 – £25.00

  • Why Doesn’t She Just Leave?

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    Virtual Training Session

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    One of the most common questions when discussing domestic abuse is the age-old ‘‘Why doesn’t she just leave?”.  Well intentioned and often founded on the belief that there are numerous laws to protect you, safe, accessible refuges for you to flee to, and surely the best thing, the only thing to do is to pack your bags and leave?   Yet survivors, practitioners, academics and statistics tell us leaving is actually one of the most dangerous points, when behaviour very often escalates and violence may be introduced for the first and fatal time. This session explores the many concerns and challenges to leaving for women experiencing domestic abuse and seeks to explore and address the victim blaming attitudes and misinformation which create barriers to support and services for women and children impacted by the behaviours of a domestic abuse perpetrator. Participants can expect to:
    • Understand 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
    • Understand the impact of domestic abuse on those who experience it and how it affects their behaviour and choices
    • Explore and explain the terminology and rationale of the gendered analysis of domestic abuse
    • Address the commonly asked questions relating to men’s experiences of domestic abuse
    • Consider how to apply the knowledge to their own work in supporting women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse
    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.
    £10.00 – £25.00

  • Civil and Criminal Justice Processes – The Basics You Need To Know

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Survivors of domestic abuse face many barriers in accessing safety and justice, systems can be daunting and seem overwhelming.   Individuals and organisations working with people impacted by domestic abuse are well placed to signpost survivors to specialist services to support them access and manage any engagement with the criminal and civil justice systems. This session will provide a brief overview of the criminal and civil justice processes and how they relate to domestic abuse. Participants will gain an insight and understanding of the key legislative have an opportunity to explore some of the most frequently asked questions complainers have in relation to their contact with these systems. Learning Outcomes
    • Increased understanding of how the criminal and civil justice processes in Scotland operate and what this means for those who experience domestic abuse
    • Increased understanding of women, children and young people's rights in relation to the criminal and civil justice processes
    • Increased confidence to answer basic questions about the criminal and civil justice processes
    Facilitator : Heather Williams is freelance consultant and researcher with over 20 years experience in the violence against women sector working at a national and local level in strategic and frontline roles providing management support and directly supporting women and young people in a variety of settings.  Heather is an experienced trainer and facilitator, working in multi and single agency settings across the public, private and third sectors.   As a researcher her work has included participative research projects and external evaluations of VAW services, including most recently the 'It Shouldn't Take a Pandemic' report for the Glasgow Standing Group on Violence Against Women.
    £15.00 – £30.00

  • Older Women’s Experiences of Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control

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    Virtual Training Session

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    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.
    £15.00 – £30.00

  • Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic Abuse

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    Virtual Training Session

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    The session enables participants to gain a basic understanding into the nature, impact and prevalence of domestic abuse highlighting abuse 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 is the National Training Coordinator at Scottish Women’s Aid having previously spent nearly a decade with East Ayrshire Women’s Aid leading on all Domestic Abuse and Gender Based Violence multi agency training within the local Violence Against Women Partnership. A certified Safe & Together Trainer with a passion and commitment to ensuring addressing domestic abuse becomes everyone’s business, Judy regularly provides training to COPFS, Police, Social Work, Criminal Justice Workers, Heath, Housing and VAWG partnerships and strives to improving the understanding of, and response to survivors and children experiencing domestic abuse. Judy strives to support organisations develop robust approaches to end violence against women and girls, recognising it is a breach of human rights and unacceptable in any society and everyone has the right to live free from the threat of violence and abuse.
    £15.00 – £30.00

  • Key Approaches in Asking and Responding to Domestic Abuse

    Zoom
    Virtual Training Session

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    How do you provide a validating and supportive response to someone experiencing domestic abuse? What are the signs of abuse?  How do you ask and, importantly how do you respond if someone discloses it’s happening or has happened to them? Experiencing domestic abuse can be overwhelming.  Survivors responses describe feelings of guilt, shame and embarrassment, being unsure of what is happening to them; where they can go and what help they can get, fearful of doing anything which might increase risk to their or their children’s safety. Women who feel able to disclose typically describe a history of long-standing, escalating abuse and violence, remarking on how much they wanted to be able to talk about what was going on, if only someone had asked them. This session explores the best practice in asking about abuse, potential indicators of abuse, the principles of safety planning and the importance of signposting to specialist services. Learning Outcomes:
    • Understand the impact of domestic abuse on those who experience it and how it affects their behaviour and choices
    • Have an enhanced understanding of the main issues in asking and responding to anyone experiencing domestic abuse
    • Have greater knowledge, skills confidence and motivation to recognise and respond to domestic abuse.
    • Have explored and practised the skills, knowledge and tools to better identify risk, assess protective factors and increase safety for those experiencing domestic abuse.
    Facilitator: Judy Ferguson is the National Training Coordinator at Scottish Women’s Aid having previously spent nearly a decade with East Ayrshire Women’s Aid leading on all Domestic Abuse and Gender Based Violence multi agency training within the local Violence Against Women Partnership. A certified Safe & Together Trainer with a passion and commitment to ensuring addressing domestic abuse becomes everyone’s business, Judy regularly provides training to COPFS, Police, Social Work, Criminal Justice Workers, Heath, Housing and VAWG partnerships and strives to improving the understanding of, and response to survivors and children experiencing domestic abuse. Judy strives to support organisations develop robust approaches to end violence against women and girls, recognising it is a breach of human rights and unacceptable in any society and everyone has the right to live free from the threat of violence and abuse.
    £15.00 – £30.00

  • Children & Young People’s Experience of Domestic Abuse

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Experiencing Domestic Abuse can impact on a child’s educational and social experiences as well as their physical health and wellbeing. Understanding the impact of the perpetrator’s behaviour needs to extend beyond did the children hear it, did they see it.  We need to frame domestic abuse as a conscious parenting choice holding perpetrators responsible for the  trauma and disruption they cause to children’s emotional and physical health and wellbeing. This session explores how children and young people can experience domestic abuse, how this can impact on their lives and the coping strategies they can employ. The session highlights the importance of listening to children and young people and how difficult it can be for them to be heard.  This session also explores how abuse can continue to be experienced by children and young people after the relationship has ended highlighting the need to ensure contact is safe contact and does not become a means for the continuation of abuse to the children and/or mother post separation. Learning Outcomes
    • Understand how children and young people experience domestic abuse
    • Understand how perpetrators of domestic abuse behaviours and actions directly and indirectly impact children and young people
    • Understand how experiencing domestic abuse can impact children’s relationships with friends, family and adults in their life
    • Be aware of some of the signs children may be experiencing domestic abuse
    • Understand the role of protective factors, who is supporting safety and who responsible for harm
    • Consider how to apply the knowledge to their own work in supporting children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse
    Facilitator: Judy Ferguson is the National Training Coordinator at Scottish Women’s Aid having previously spent nearly a decade with East Ayrshire Women’s Aid leading on all Domestic Abuse and Gender Based Violence multi agency training within the local Violence Against Women Partnership. A certified Safe & Together Trainer with a passion and commitment to ensuring addressing domestic abuse becomes everyone’s business, Judy regularly provides training to COPFS, Police, Social Work, Criminal Justice Workers, Heath, Housing and VAWG partnerships and strives to improving the understanding of, and response to survivors and children experiencing domestic abuse. Judy strives to support organisations develop robust approaches to end violence against women and girls, recognising it is a breach of human rights and unacceptable in any society and everyone has the right to live free from the threat of violence and abuse.
    £15.00 – £30.00

  • Increasing Awareness when Working with Deaf Women who have Experienced Gender Based Violence

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Research has found that deaf women are 2-3 times more likely to experience domestic abuse than their hearing peers (Crowe, 2017). This session will focus on increasing understanding and awareness around the specific issues and challenges facing deaf women and girls who have experienced GBV, and how other general and specialist services can use this knowledge to improve accessibility for this group. By the end of the session participants will have a better understanding of the situation for deaf women in reporting domestic abuse, as well as best practices for working together to increase support to deaf women impacted by domestic abuse and other forms of GBV. By the end of the session you will:
    • Have an enhanced understanding of the issues and challenges deaf women experience in seeking and securing support when experiencing GBV, in particular domestic abuse
    • Have greater knowledge, skills, confidence and motivation to consider how to increase your organisations to be more inclusive and effective when working with deaf women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse.
    Session Facilitator: Alana Harper Alans is the CEO of Deaf Links, a charity working across Tayside supporting people with any form of deafness, visual loss or both. The DefiniTAY Project, run by Deaf Links in partnership with Dundee, Angus and Perthshire Women's Aids, is the first of its kind in Scotland to provide specialist advocacy and support to Deaf women and girls who use British Sign Language (BSL) and have experienced any form of gender based violence (GBV).
    £15.00 – £30.00

  • Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic Abuse

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Each year In Scotland, in excess of 65,000 incidents of Domestic Abuse are recorded by Police Scotland, yet research shows only 1 in 5 affected actually report to the Police, meaning actual figures will be much higher. This session will examine how domestic abuse, also known as coercive control, is more than physical abuse. It will explore how coercive control is used to control survivors, the considerations involved when staying or leaving, as well as the challenges, risks and safety implications involved to separate and remain separated safely. By developing a greater understanding of domestic abuse, in all its forms and how it impacts victims and survivors the session will enable individuals and organisations to be better placed to be alert to the signs of domestic abuse, understand how it impacts people and where to signpost to support and specialist services. Learning outcomes: 
    • Understanding of domestic abuse, 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
    • 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.
    £15.00 – £30.00

  • Understanding CYP Experiences of Domestic Abuse

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    Virtual Training Session

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    This session explores how children and young people can experience domestic abuse, how this can impact on their lives and the coping strategies they and the non-abusing parent can employ. This session also explores how abuse can continue to be experienced by children and young people post-separation highlighting the need to ensure any contact is safe contact and does not become a means for the continuation of abuse to the children and/or non abusing parent, usually the mother.  The session will also highlight the importance of listening to children and young people and how difficult it can be for them to be heard and their views acted upon. Learning outcomes:
    • Understand how perpetrators abusive actions and negative parenting choices can impact on a child or young person’s educational and social experiences as well as their physical health and wellbeing.
    • Explore how children and young people directly and indirectly experience domestic abuse and the coping strategies they can employ and the role of resilience.
    • Build upon practice skills and approaches that work with women and children who have experienced domestic abuse.
    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.
    £15.00 – £30.00

  • Safe & Together Briefing

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    Virtual Training Session

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    The Safe & Together Model is an internationally recognised suite of tools and interventions designed to help social workers and other key professionals to engage with families experiencing domestic abuse in a child-centred, strengths-based way. It provides a perpetrator pattern, child-centred, survivor strengths-based approach to working with domestic abuse. Across Scotland the model is being widely adopted into practice by local authorities and other organisations to improve outcomes and safety for survivors impacted by domestic abuse, usually women and children.  This short session will provide a brief overview of the foundational concepts of the model.   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. Once the event is fully booked you can add your name to a waiting list here.
    Free

  • Understanding Economic Abuse

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Whilst financial abuse has long been recognised as a form of domestic abuse, recent research has highlighted the overarching issue of economic abuse.  With 96% of survivors of domestic abuse also reporting experiencing economic abuse this session will explore the specifics of economic abuse, both during the relationship and post-separation. It will increase participants understanding of how domestic abuse, also known as coercive control includes economic abuse often including tactics such as sabotaging someone’s employment, taking out debts in their name and ruining someone’s credit rating. It will highlight how economic abuse seeks to trap people in relationships and the challenges that are involved in living with economic abuse, issues around separating, remaining separated safely and rebuilding a life detailing the support that many financial institutions are now offering as a result of greater understanding of this form of abuse. Learning outcomes:
    • Understanding the impacts of domestic abuse and specifically economic abuse through theory, research and survivor testimony
    • Knowledge of services to ensure people experiencing domestic abuse are able to be signposted to appropriate support.
    • Knowledge of the initiatives and support being offered from financial institutions, employers and specialist domestic and economic abuse organisations in Scotland.
      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.
    £15.00 – £30.00

  • Supporting Women Experiencing Domestic Abuse – Women’s Aid: Who We Are and What We Do

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    Virtual Training Session

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    Please note, the date of this training was changed from 11 June to 16 July 24. If you  booked for 11 June your booking has been transferred to the new date. Please let us know if you wish to cancel your place: booking@womensaid.scot) Men’s violence against women is an epidemic that still exists in every area of Scotland despite over 50 years of women’s’ aid activism, supporting and believing women, providing refuges, safety planning, recovery support and representation for women and children.  Even with new legislation, increased protection measures and dedicated strategies from the Scottish Government, domestic abuse still sees women unsafe, unprotected and often unsure where to go and who can help. Across Scotland, from Shetland to Stranraer and everywhere in between, there is a network of dedicated Women’s Aid groups who provide a wide range of dedicated specialist services to support women and children who are or who have experienced domestic abuse. In this session we will explore the services and support available from the women’s aid network, what happens when you call or visit women’s aid, how do you access support, what choices are available regarding safety planning, accommodation and refuge.  We will explore  what difference women’s aid have made to survivors and their children’s safety and recovery across Scotland and how your knowledge may help other women and children considering engaging with women’s aid. Learning outcomes
    • Awareness of the range of online, in person and community-based services available to support women and children experiencing or impacted by domestic abuse.
    • Understanding of the lived experience for women and children seeking support and accessing safety through the range of Women’s Aid confidential one to one, group work, online, text and telephone-based services.
    • Exploring and understanding Survivors perspectives and how lived experience from the Scottish Women’s Aid Survivors Reference Group informs and influences policy and practice improve women and children’s safety and protection in Scotland.
      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.
    £15.00 – £30.00

  • CYP Experiences of Domestic Abuse

    Zoom
    Virtual Training Session

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    This session explores how children and young people can experience domestic abuse, how this can impact on their lives and the coping strategies they and the non-abusing parent can employ. This session also explores how abuse can continue to be experienced by children and young people post-separation highlighting the need to ensure any contact is safe contact and does not become a means for the continuation of abuse to the children and/or non abusing parent, usually the mother.  The session will also highlight the importance of listening to children and young people and how difficult it can be for them to be heard and their views acted upon. Learning outcomes:
    • Understand how perpetrators abusive actions and negative parenting choices can impact on a child or young person’s educational and social experiences as well as their physical health and wellbeing.
    • Explore how children and young people directly and indirectly experience domestic abuse and the coping strategies they can employ and the role of resilience.
    • Build upon practice skills and approaches that work with women and children who have experienced domestic abuse.
    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.
    £15.00 – £30.00

  • Why Doesn’t She Just Leave?

    Zoom
    Virtual Training Session

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    One of the most common questions when discussing domestic abuse is the age-old ‘‘Why doesn’t she just leave?”.  Well intentioned and often founded on the belief that there are numerous laws to protect you, safe, accessible refuges for you to flee to, and surely the best thing, the only thing to do is to pack your bags and leave?   Yet survivors, practitioners, academics and statistics tell us leaving is actually one of the most dangerous points, when behaviour very often escalates and violence may be introduced for the first and fatal time. This session explores the many concerns and challenges to leaving for women experiencing domestic abuse and seeks to explore and address the victim blaming attitudes and misinformation which create barriers to support and services for women and children impacted by the behaviours of a domestic abuse perpetrator. Participants can expect to:
    • Be able to describe how women experiencing domestic abuse face significant barriers to leaving and consider the implications and potential dangers of leaving or staying for women, their children and young people
    • Understand the impact of domestic abuse on those who experience it and how it affects their behaviour and choices during and after the relationship.
    • Explore and explain the terminology and rationale of the gendered analysis of domestic abuse
    • Consider how to apply the knowledge to their own work in supporting women, children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse
    Trainer: Judy is the National Training Coordinator at Scottish Women’s Aid, a certified Safe & Together Trainer and a qualified IDAA Judy spent nearly 10 years working in a specialist domestic abuse service and 5 years serving on the board of Scottish Women’s Aid. Judy works widely across a arrange of settings and is passionate about improving the understanding of, and response to anyone experiencing domestic abuse.
    £15.00 – £35.00
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