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Upcoming training

Oct
13
Young woman looking worried while using her mobile phone
The Pattern of Power: Uncovering Coercive Control and the Tactics of Entrapment – CPD Accredited (Sheffield Workers)
Oct
19
Two women in conversation in a cafe. One of them is an IDAS worker
Seeing the Whole Picture: A Professional Response to Domestic Abuse – CPD Accredited (Barnsley Workers)
Oct
22
Anxious young woman sitting at home
Understanding Coercive Control: The Pattern of Power – CPD Accredited
Oct
23
Woman participating in an online training session
When Defence Turns Violent: Understanding Violent Resistance in Domestic Abuse (Barnsley Workers)
Oct
27
Young woman looking worried while using her mobile phone
The Pattern of Power: Uncovering Coercive Control and the Tactics of Entrapment – CPD Accredited (Barnsley Workers)
Oct
28
Intersecting Risks: Understanding the Trio of Domestic Abuse, Mental Health and Substance Misuse – CPD Accredited (Sheffield Workers)

Essential training

On-demand courses for professionals and volunteers

Our essential e-learning courses provide a comprehensive introduction to the issues around domestic abuse and sexual violence. Both courses are CPD accredited and contain video elements and regular knowledge checks. Complete in your own time and gain a certificate on completion.

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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.

Enroll Now

Essential training

On-demand courses for professionals and volunteers

Our essential learning courses are intended to provide an introduction to the issues around domestic abuse and sexual violence. Complete in your own time and gain a certificate on completion.

Sexual violence awareness course

Sexual violence awareness
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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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