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Interested in learning how to support someone impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence?

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The Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) is pleased to launch online training focusing on a range of topics.

Last year DVCS, together with the ANU Respectful Relationships Unit, launched four online training sessions and due to their success, DVCS has decided to include them as a feature of their education and awareness program with sessions to be held each month.

“We were overwhelmed with the number of people who registered. We had more than 80 people registered for some sessions, which far exceeded our initial goal,” says DVCS Community Education and Liaison Team Leader, Sarah Gillett.

“We ran four sessions during the Global 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence in 2020 in partnership with the ANU Respectful Relationships Unit each focusing on a different topic. This year we are hosting one each month, commencing in February in partnership with DVCS Champion, Sue Webeck.”

Last year’s sessions covered Domestic and Family Violence 101, Sexual Violence 101, Being a Bystander and Responding to Disclosure.

“We reviewed the many questions asked at the end of each session and have decided to add another topic, Tips for Managers on Supporting an Employee,” says DVCS Champion, Sue Webeck.

“This is our first topic for 2021. We saw that many of the people who attended the sessions last year were managers or business owners who wanted to know practical and appropriate ways they could support staff impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence.”

According to a report prepared by KPMG, The Cost of Domestic Violence to the Australian Economy (Part 1), the impact of family and domestic violence costs Australian employers $175 million annually.

“One in six women will be subjected to domestic or sexual violence at the hands of a partner. It is a real issue and it is really happening within our ACT community,” says DVCS Interim General Manager, Glenda Stevens.

“All people should ask themselves how many women they know. They may think they don’t know someone who is impacted by domestic or sexual violence, but I can assure them, they absolutely do. Women are just really good at hiding it. We do what we need to do to survive.”

“Sometimes women don’t know where to go for help, sometimes they are so conditioned to the violence, that they aren’t able to see what they are experiencing is violence, even non-physical violence.”

Prior to working as the Community Education and Liaison Team Leader at DVCS Ms Gillett worked as the Team Leader of Crisis Intervention, Legal Advocacy and Women and Children’s Specialist Program at DVCS, so she has a wealth of experience.

“It isn’t uncommon for us to speak to concerned employers, family or friends on our crisis line. They are often the first person someone impacted by domestic and family violence turns to for support or help. With that in mind, it is crucial those people know how to respond appropriately.”

“These sessions are only 30 minutes long, plus time for questions and cover a different topic each month. We are aiming to provide participants with an introduction to the issues and how they can better support those around them. We aren’t asking them to take on the role of the highly skilled staff at DVCS, just know what to do when confided in, and sometimes, what not to do. There are a few of those too,” adds Ms Webeck.

The first five sessions have been set between February and June 2021 covering topics including:

  • Tips for Managers on Supporting an Employee
  • Sexual Assault 101
  • Being a Bystander
  • Domestic and Family Violence 101
  • Responding to Disclosure

Each session costs $15 per registration and is delivered online, so you can attend from the comfort and ease of your workplace or kitchen table.

However, if you’re after a more in-depth dive into learning about domestic and family violence, DVCS provides full-day training sessions with the first to take place on 24 March 2021.

You can find out more about these full-day sessions via the link below also.

THE ESSENTIALS

When: Usually the third Tuesday of each month from 1 pm to 1.30 pm plus 15 minutes for questions
Where: Online
Cost: $15 per registration
Registration: dvcs.org.au/get-involed/education-training

 

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