Services

Did you know this is a criminal offence? This is not a crime of physical assault, but a crime against liberty and rights as a human being. In December 2015 a new offence became part of UK law on Domestic Abuse. It’s called Coercive Control and greatly extends the parameters for prosecution of this crime. Understanding Coercive Control is key to such prosecution and therefore it is essential for professionals to receive training in this area and for the public to know they don’t need to wait to be assaulted to be a victim of DA. Do you know enough?

Perpetrators do not live in trees, they are friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues. For many years I have worked with perpetrators of DA on both a one to one and group work level. I have focused my career on understanding the dynamics of domestic abuse, unpicking the beliefs and attitudes that underpin perpetrator behaviour and how to motivate change. I am keen to share this knowledge and experience with others, using anecdotal reflection and case examples of the tactics of power and control.

Why don’t they just leave?! Often a question asked by those lucky enough to have not become a statistic of Domestic Abuse . It is essential to truly understand the complex issues and dynamics of DA and the barriers that exist for you as professionals asking THE question and victims disclosing. The cycle of abuse is not easy to break, but with knowledge, understanding and sensitivity you can breakdown those barriers to safety.

The Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour Based Violence (DASH 2009) Risk Identification, Assessment and Management Model was implemented across all police services in the UK from March 2009.The DASH is for all professionals working with victims of domestic abuse, stalking and harassment and honour based violence. As a qualified and experienced Trainer in the DASH I can ensure you and your team are fully trained in how to effectively apply this tool and assess imminent risk of serious harm.

Honour based abuse is a specialist form of domestic abuse and involves multiple perpetrators. This is a collection of practices used to control behaviour within families in order to protect perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or honour. Frontline practitioners need to be able to recognise the signs and effectively support victims who are at risk.

Some of the biggest victims of domestic abuse are the smallest. Children who are exposed to abuse in the home can suffer a range of severe and lasting effects. Those young minds who live with and are aware of abuse in the home face many challenges and risks that can last throughout their lives. There is significant risk of ever-increasing harm to the child’s emotional, physical and social development. I am able to offer bespoke training sessions for professionals to increase understanding of the impact on DA on children and age appropriate sessions for children and young people. As a qualified facilitator of the Freedom Programme for children, I can also offer one to one or group work sessions with those children and young people recovering from experiencing DA at home.

I am particularly passionate about proactively educating children and young people in healthy relationships, which I believe is a life skill for our next generation. I have worked closely with a number of Norfolk Schools, delivering assemblies and workshops to children of all ages. I am also qualified to deliver the Escape The Trap programme, which is a preventative approach to help young people recognise and protect themselves from teenage relationship abuse. I would absolutely love to see this imbedded in all schools and believe this is an essential gap that exists in our education system. Together we can derail the next generation of victims and perpetrators.

When animals are abused, people are at risk; when people are abused, animals are at risk. It is important to understand the link between animal abuse and domestic abuse. Perpetrators will exploit a victim’s love for their pet and use animals as leverage to coercively control. I can provide insight into the signs and symptoms to look out for and knowledge in how to increase the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable animals and their owners.

Domestic Abuse is everyone’s business, including employers. Research shows that 1 in 5 victims (22%) say they sometimes stopped going into work/would take days off and 1 in 2 (56%) victims say that the domestic abuse they experienced affected their co-workers. Are you ready and able to recognise, respond and refer? All employers have a duty of care to employees and have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and effective work environment. Preventing and tackling domestic abuse is an essential part of this. I can provide training in how to recognise and prevent domestic abuse, be prepared to receive disclosures and respond effectively to support your staff in the best possible way. I will provide you with tools, resources and best practice guidelines in how to draft a domestic abuse policy and place you at the heart of tackling DA within the workplace..