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Domestic abuse e-learning

Our Learn Independently training offers accessible, on-demand learning designed to fit around your own schedule.

Learning options include our free Essential Domestic Abuse Awareness course and bite-size webinars exploring specific issues such as non-fatal strangulation and stalking.

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Domestic Abuse: Awareness and Response in the Armed Forces

Build the knowledge, skills and confidence to respond to domestic abuse in military communities ensuring you are equipped to provide safe, effective support.

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Free

Domestic Abuse Essential Training

Gain an understanding of domestic abuse, its complexities and how you can best support people experiencing abuse. Practice informed and developed using the experience of front line practitioners.

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Premium

Sexual Violence Essential Training

This course explores sexual violence and its impacts on survivors. It includes helpful video elements and regular knowledge checks. All videos have British Sign Language translations with thanks to SignHealth.

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On-demand Webinars

Access expert-led, bite-sized webinars on demand for just £10. These short learning experiences are designed to give you critical insight and practical tools to respond confidently to complex issues. An affordable way of developing your professional knowledge; each session is packed with information and survivor-informed guidance, helping you make a tangible difference.

£10

Webinar on Demand: Understanding and Responding to Domestic Stalking

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£10

Webinar on Demand: Talking to Young People about Healthy Relationships

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£10

Webinar on Demand: Domestic Abuse and the use of Sexual Violence

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£10

Webinar on Demand: Non-Fatal Strangulation and its Effects on Survivors

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Our training team

Jane Collins

Our training team brings together experienced specialists with years of frontline practice in responding to domestic abuse and sexual violence. Passionate about creating lasting change, they deliver expert training grounded in real-world insight and deep sector knowledge.

Meet our expert team

“I found the training really helpful, and it’s reminded me to be more mindful during visits and consider any barriers that might prevent someone from making a disclosure.”

Kay, Mental Health Housing Support Officer

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‘Hysterical’

Calling women ‘hysterical’ if they appear distressed, upset or disturbed often discounts their experiences. Other labels used can include, but are not limited to, “unstable” or “over-reacting”, “unable to keep their emotions in check”.  These statements are routed in sexism.

Another thing to note is that the description of being hysterical is provided by the alleged abuser. Often abusers will try to manipulate professionals in a bid to sabotage the victims’ credibility and to minimise or detract from the abuse.

Language is extremely important in documentation as the documentation will provide a narrative of what is happening and will often determine what course of action will be needed next.

Documentation may be called for as evidence in both civil and criminal cases, including family court for protective orders or child contact arrangements.

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‘Male appeared calm and assisted with enquiries’
We cannot assume that because one party displays anger and aggression or is less in control of their emotions that they are a primary perpetrator. It is a myth that perpetrators “lose control” or have anger management issues when they abuse their partners. Domestic violence is the most often, the opposite of losing control; perpetrators know what they are doing and use their abusive tactics of choice to maintain dominance in the relationship.
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Verbal argument only
It is important to remember that many couples argue, but for an argument to escalate to the point that the neighbours fear for a person’s safety that they phone the police on the emergency number, this should warrant further in-depth investigation. Statements such as “verbal argument only” will minimise harm and fear caused by verbal abuse. In turn it will also minimise the victims experience of the incident. The danger of using language that may minimise an abusive incident is that it will send a message to victims that the act was not abusive and if the victim felt it was abusive then they are over-reacting. Over time, this can lead to an escalation of abuse if the warning signs are not spotted, or intervention is not offered at the earliest opportunity. Furthermore, the statement ‘Verbal Argument Only’ suggests that only physical violence is worthy of investigation. However, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse as:  Behaviour is “abusive” if it consists of any of the following—
  • (a)physical or sexual abuse;
  • (b)violent or threatening behaviour;
  • (c)controlling or coercive behaviour;
  • (d)economic abuse (see subsection (4));
  • (e)psychological, emotional or other abuse;
The act makes it clear that verbal abuse is part of domestic abuse.
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