Level 1: Domestic abuse awareness
We're passionate about helping churches feel confident in responding to disclosures of domestic abuse in safe and effective ways.
Our level 1 course will help you explore key questions around the issue of domestic abuse. The series will start you on the journey of understanding domestic abuse, how you can spot the signs and how best to respond.
Course content
The series explores vital questions about domestic abuse:
What is domestic abuse? - We'll explore the current domestic abuse definition the UK government uses. Particular emphasis will be given to understanding coercive and controlling behaviour and how it's displayed in an intimate relationship.
How can I recognise the signs? - It's impossible to create an exhaustive list of the signs of domestic abuse. However, in this session, we explore the beliefs behind abusive behaviours and their effects on victims/survivors.
Why does domestic abuse happen? - We visit some of the myths surrounding the causes of domestic abuse and explore how a distorted sense of who we are, alongside the power dynamics described in the creation narratives, can lead to abuse.
Why doesn't she leave? - This is one of the key questions people ask, mainly if they are not aware of the complexities of domestic abuse. In this session, we explore some of the critical barriers to leaving an abuser and start to unpack how we can support a victim or survivor.
Who is most affected by domestic abuse? - We explore statistics about the prevalence of domestic abuse and who is most at risk, in society as a whole and in church communities.
How can I support victims/survivors of domestic abuse? - When supporting someone who is in or has been in an abusive relationship, it is important to remember that we are neither Jesus nor Sherlock Holmes. In this session, we explore how to offer appropriate support in a way that is safe, healthy and helpful.
Join a course
The Level 1 Training Course runs over 6 half an hour long sessions or 2 evenings. The course costs £30 to attend, and all sessions happen via Zoom - each session is also recorded so you can catch up on any that you miss!
See upcoming dates"These are complex questions and it can be difficult to know how best to be ministers of God’s love to women caught in abuse. But we need not feel trapped or isolated in facing these challenges. By thinking through some of these issues, I began to see how faith – whilst sometimes contributing to the problem – can be a source of liberation and hope."
— Level 1 Training Attendee —