Our passion for raising awareness of domestic abuse in our local community extends not only to our multi agency partners but to the many businesses that operate locally.

Domestic abuse costs the public purse £23 billion pounds per year and much of this can be attributed to loss of revenue to employers through frequent absence from work, poor concentration and inability to fulfill their job role. Berkshire East & South Bucks Women’s Aid has now developed a Domestic Abuse resource manual for employers. In order to provide appropriate support around what is a often a complex issue, Human Resource (HR), line managers and employers need to have a clear understanding of what domestic abuse is.

This year, we have helped train local GPs, Paediatric Nurses, Teachers and Housing Advisors and others. We hope that we are able to add to this list in the year to come. Feedback has been very encouraging and we plan to make training an integral part of our zero-tolerance campaign.

At Berkshire East & South Bucks Women’s Aid, we do not believe in a one size fits all approach. We embrace the philosophy that variety is the spice of life and we will tailor our approach to suit the needs of your agencies. We will make certain that you and your employees learn in a refreshing and interactive environment.

Sometimes the most effective way to meet your organisation’s learning objectives is by commissioning us to design a programme of training specifically for you. This can involve tailoring existing training programmes or devising an entirely new solution.

For more information on bespoke training on Domestic Abuse, please contact training@ebwomensaid.org.uk.

Introduction to Domestic Abuse

Locations: Slough, Windsor or Maidenhead.

Duration: 1-day.

Course Tutor: Locally Coordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse (CAADA) trained practitioners.

Target Audience: All those working with the general public regardless of whether your role involves working predominantly with adults or children and regardless of whether you are professionals, administrators or volunteers.

Course Outcomes: This one day multi-agency course is intended to give participants an understanding of the issues associated with domestic abuse by increasing your knowledge and understanding of domestic abuse; and equipping you with knowledge and information to respond supportively to people experiencing domestic abuse.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Define, name and talk about the forms of domestic abuse

• Identify additional issues faced by marginalised groups suffering domestic abuse

• Discuss the incidence and prevalence of domestic abuse (locally and nationally)

• Describe the impact and effects of living with domestic abuse

• Recognise evidence and possible indicators of domestic abuse

• Discuss the difficulties when considering leaving an abusive relationship

• Understand the principles and values which underpin supporting victims of domestic abuse, including appropriate responses to disclosure, documentation, confidentiality and information sharing

• Recognise and understand risk factors associated with domestic abuse

• Identify local policy, procedures and what help is available for service users experiencing domestic abuse

• Consider how this learning might impact on your own work situation

Course enquiries: Becky Spiller, 01753 549865, or email becky@ebwomensaid.org.uk.