Training Programs of the Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria

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Introduction to Domestic Violence - DVRCV Training Course

Feedback on the course from participants

'I have learnt so much! You have raised my awareness, opened my mind and inspired me. Both of you were friendly, humourous, relaxed, kind and the best instructors I can think of. I had been dreading this course but I have thoroughly enjoyed it'

'Would be fantastic if all police did this course! Really important for police to know the material and have an understanding of the wider/holistic response to family violence. This is important to achieve our goals of partnership policing, intelligent policing and confident policing' (from a police officer)

'I will now feel much more confident when working with clients who are experiencing DV'

Purpose of the Course

The aim of the Introduction to Domestic Violence course is to provide new and/or inexperienced workers in domestic violence services with the basic skills, knowledge and understanding to work effectively with women and children who are in, or have been in, a domestic violence situation. The course is also suitable for workers in community and health services, whose primary role is not domestic violence but who may encounter women and children who are in domestic violence situations in the course of their work.

Duration

The course will be of 26 hours duration and delivered over 4 days from 9.30am until 4.00pm each day. A further 6-10 hours (approximately) will be needed for participants to complete the post-training assessment tasks. Lunch and morning and afternoon tea is provided.

Teaching Method

DVRCV recognises that people learn in different ways. To this end the course is structured to maximise experiential learning and participants’ existing skills and strengths using adult learning principles. Methods include short presentations, small group exercises, video, discussion, case studies and role-plays.

Language and Target Group

DVRCV acknowledges that while men are sometimes victims of domestic and family violence it has been consistently shown that women and children are victims/survivors in over 90% of research findings and statistics. For this reason the term “she” will be used when referring to victims/survivors. However, the skills learned can be applied equally when working with males and females experiencing domestic and family violence.

An issue that often arises in training concerns working with men who use violence. As the units of competency show, the purpose of this course is to provide skills in working with victims/survivors. For this reason we will not be dealing with issues of working with men who use violence against family members.

Nationally Accredited Training

Introduction to Domestic Violence is aligned to meet three of the domestic violence units of competency in the Community Services Training Package (CHC99).

Upon successful completion of all the assessment criteria for the Introduction to Domestic Violence course participants will receive the nationally accredited Statement of Attainment for the following Domestic Violence competencies:
• Unit CHCDVF1A Recognise and respond to domestic and family violence;
• Unit CHCDFV2A Manage own professional development in responding to domestic and family violence; and
• Unit CHCDFV3A Provide crisis intervention and support to those who are experiencing domestic and family violence

For more on the Community Services Training Package see the National Training Information Service website http://www.ntis.gov.au/

Assessment

Participants who would like to receive accreditation for the course will be required to undertake the assessment tasks. Assessment of competence is determined by a range of methods: Observation, structured questioning and discussion during training through the use of group work and role-plays; A post-training assessment booklet is provided consisting of case studies and questions and answers addressing the Learning Outcomes, as well as an Employer Checklist. Participants have 4 weeks to complete and return the booklet and Employer Checklist for assessment. If a participant is not yet competent in any of the learning outcomes they will receive feedback from the assessor and have a second opportunity to complete that part of the assessment within an agreed upon time. In order to receive the Statement of Attainment, participants are expected to attend all four days of the course.

DVRCV is flexible in its assessment methods in order to provide access and equity for all participants. Participants who experience difficulty completing the assessment tasks or have special needs should discuss this with the Training Coordinator at DVRCV.

Grievances

DVRCV seeks to resolve any issues that arise in training as soon as possible. Participants are encouraged to speak with the course facilitators if they have a grievance about any aspect of the training or assessment. If the issue remains unresolved the participant may request a copy of the DVRCV grievance procedure and lodge a complaint to the Training Coordinator who will discuss the issue and options for resolution.

Privacy

DVRCV collects identifying information from participants in order to process course applications, record course results, and issue Statements of Attainment according to the Registered Training Organisation requirements of national and state legislation.

Your privacy is important to us. In keeping with national and state privacy legislation, DVRCV will not disclose information about a participant or their assessment outcome with any person outside the organisation without the written consent of the participant.

Course dates and Registration

Go back to our main Training Page and download our latest training calendar for dates, costs and registration details. On this page you can also download our course registration form.