This year, for Domestic Abuse Awareness Week in November, SOS Domestic Abuse Projects are doing things a little differently. Instead of our usual campaigns, we are offering free* training to professionals in Southend around a variety of domestic abuse topics. We hope that the training will raise awareness and improve the response of both voluntary and statutory sector agencies, as well as businesses, to victims of domestic abuse.

We are offering the following – click on the training title for further details and to book!

Monday 20th November, 9.30 to 12.30 – Domestic Abuse – Basic Awareness
An interactive half-day awareness course providing an introduction to understanding domestic abuse and the basic principles for supporting victims of domestic abuse.

Monday 20th November, 13.30 to 16.30 – Domestic Abuse – Basic Awareness
An interactive half-day awareness course providing an introduction to understanding domestic abuse and the basic principles for supporting victims of domestic abuse.

Tuesday 21st November, 9.30 to 12.30 – Domestic Abuse – The Emotional Wounds
The workshop will explore the psychological impact of domestic abuse on families. It will be an opportunity to learn how domestic abuse can have a profound impact on how a victim is able to function socially, even after leaving the relationship. It will also look at the adverse effect domestic abuse can have on a child’s development.

Tuesday 21st November, 13.30 to 16.30 – Working with victims from BME Communities
Domestic abuse victims from BME communities face specific barriers and challenges to leaving an abusive relationship. These barriers include immigration status, language and cultural expectations. This session will provide a brief overview of these challenges and the legal remedies to them.

Wednesday 22nd November, 13.30 to 16.30 – Complex Needs and Domestic Abuse
The session will focus on working with domestic abuse victims with substance misuse, mental health and homeless issues as they are amongst the most vulnerable, isolated and challenging to engage. This session will look at how to work together to provide the right support.

Thursday 23rd November, 9.30 to 12.30 – Domestic Abuse and the Impact on Children
The session aims to increase knowledge and understanding of the short and long term impact domestic abuse can have on children. It will also look at how a perpetrator can use children to control their victims and the impact this can have on the victim’s ability to parent. We will also explore the work that Fledglings – based at SOS Domestic Abuse Projects – undertakes to support recovery for affected families, as well as how to refer to the service.

Thursday 23rd November, 13.30 to 16.30 – Law – Civil Remedies
Civil Remedies is a half-day workshop, giving an overview of the civil remedies available for victims of domestic abuse who do not wish to follow the criminal justice path. The session will focus on Non-Molestation Orders, Occupation Orders and Prohibitive Steps Orders. It will be led by a local firm of solicitors specialising in family law.

Friday 24th November, 9.30 to 12.30 – Teen Relationship Abuse
An interactive half-day awareness course providing an awareness of what Teen Relationship Abuse is, the impact it can have on young people, and how to spot the warning signs.

Please join us and learn how together we can support survivors of domestic abuse in Southend.

*These are free workshops, but non-attendance will incur a fee of £50*