Level 1: Domestic abuse awareness
We're passionate about helping churches feel confident that they know what to do when domestic abuse is disclosed.
Our level 1 course will help you explore key questions around the issue of domestic abuse. The series will start you in the journey of understanding what domestic abuse involves, 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 some of the acute effects of abuse on a victim to get an insight into how power and control can play out in a relationship.
Why does domestic abuse happen? - We visit the creation texts in the Bible to explore why domestic abuse happens, as well as look at some common contributing factors.
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 victims/survivors of domestic abuse, from the global to the church arena.
Join a course
The Level 1 Training Course runs over 5 half an hour sessions, or 2 evenings. The course costs £25 to attend, and currently all sessions happen via Zoom - each session is also recorded so you can catch up on any that you miss!
"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 —