COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the course on Supporting Domestic Violence Survivors, a course designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and ethical considerations necessary to provide effective support to survivors of domestic violence. Throughout this course, we will delve into various aspects of domestic violence, survivor experiences, trauma-informed care, legal protections, safety planning, cultural competence, and self-care for support workers.
To begin, we will explore the complex nature of domestic violence, including its definition, forms, and dynamics of power and control in abusive relationships. We will discuss intimate partner violence (IPV), family violence, and elder abuse within domestic settings, examining their unique impacts on survivors and their families.
Understanding the impact of domestic violence on survivors is crucial, and we will discuss the physical health consequences, psychological and emotional effects, social and economic impacts, and the cycle of violence and power dynamics. We will also address common myths and misconceptions about domestic violence, debunking victim-blaming narratives and highlighting the complexity of survivor experiences.
Recognising signs of domestic violence and understanding the impact of trauma on survivors' behaviours and coping mechanisms will be central to this course. You will learn about trauma-informed principles, practicing empathy, active listening, and non-judgmental support in your interactions with survivors.
Ethical responsibilities, legal obligations, and confidentiality considerations in working with survivors will be discussed, along with the rights of survivors in accessing housing, employment, financial support, and legal protections. We will provide an overview of Australian legal protections and advocacy efforts for legal reforms and policies.
Challenges and barriers to seeking help and support will be addressed, including fear of retaliation, safety concerns, cultural and societal barriers, and financial dependence. Developing safety plans tailored to individual survivor needs, identifying safe spaces, and enhancing safety during and after leaving an abusive relationship will be emphasised.
Cultural competence and sensitivity in supporting survivors from diverse backgrounds, addressing intersectional identities and experiences, and providing culturally competent services will also be covered. Additionally, we will discuss self-care strategies for support workers, including stress management, burnout prevention, seeking supervision, and building partnerships with relevant stakeholders and community organisations.
By the end of this course, you will be well-equipped to provide compassionate, culturally sensitive, and effective support to domestic violence survivors, advocate for systemic changes, and collaborate with others to address domestic violence holistically.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
- Definition and Forms of Domestic Violence
- Dynamics of Power and Control in Abusive Relationships
- Intersectionality
- Types and Dynamics of Domestic Violence
- Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and its Manifestations
- Family Violence and its Impact on Children and Other Family Members
- Elder Abuse within Domestic Settings and its Unique Dynamics
- Impact of Domestic Violence on Survivors
- Physical Health Consequences of Domestic Violence
- Psychological and Emotional Effects, including Trauma and PTSD
- Social and Economic Impacts, such as Isolation and Financial Dependence
- Cycle of Violence and Power Dynamics
- Myths and Realities About Domestic Violence
- Common Misconceptions and Stereotypes About Domestic Violence
- Debunking Myths Related to Victim Blaming and Accountability
- Highlighting the Complexity of Abusive Relationships and Survivor Experiences
- Recognising Signs of Domestic Violence
- Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Survivors' Behaviours and Coping Mechanisms
- Practicing Empathy, Active Listening, and Non-Judgmental Support
- Incorporating Trauma-Informed Principles into Service Delivery and Interactions
- Importance of Maintaining Confidentiality and Privacy for Survivors
- Ethical Responsibilities in Working with Survivors
- Legal Obligations and Exceptions Related to Confidentiality in Domestic Violence Cases
- Legal Rights and Protections for Survivors
- Overview of Australian Legal Protections
- Rights of Survivors in Accessing Housing, Employment, and Financial Support
- Advocacy for Legal Reforms and Policies
- Challenges and Advocacy Efforts
- Barriers to Seeking Help and Support
- Fear of Retaliation and Safety Concerns
- Cultural and Societal Barriers to Disclosing Abuse
- Financial Dependence and Lack of Resources
- Developing Safety Plans Tailored to Individual Survivor Needs
- Identifying Safe Spaces and Emergency Contacts
- Strategies for Enhancing Safety During and After Leaving an Abusive Relationship
- Understanding Cultural Factors that Influence Help-Seeking Behaviours and Perceptions of Domestic Violence
- Providing Culturally Competent and Sensitive Support to Survivors from Diverse Backgrounds
- Addressing Intersectional Identities and Experiences in Service Delivery
- Self-Care for Support Workers
- Importance of Self-Care and Burnout Prevention
- Strategies for Managing Stress, Secondary Trauma, and Compassion Fatigue
- Seeking Supervision, Support Networks, and Professional Development Opportunities
- Building Partnerships with Law Enforcement, Healthcare Providers, and Community Organisations
- Coordinating Services and Sharing Information to Ensure Comprehensive Support for Survivors
- Advocating for Systemic Changes and Collaboration to Address Domestic Violence Holistically
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.