Women’s Aid Specialist Support Agency on Violence against Women.

Women’s Aid

Specialist Support Agency

on Violence against Women

Introduction

Women’s Aid has been working on the issue of violence against women for over 30 years. Over that period, the organisation has developed considerable expertise on the issue through:

The provision of services to women experiencing male violence and their children

Training the community, voluntary and statutory sectors

Research and policy development Lobbying and campaigning work

Background to the Women's Aid current Specialist Support Agency role

In 1998, Women’s Aid appointed a Specialist Support Agency to Community Development Programme.

In 2003 Women’s Aid appointed a Specialist Support Agency to Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme.

The main objective of Women's Aid, as Specialist Support Agency, is to support and encourage Family Resource Centres and networks to respond to the issue of violence against women.

Women’s Aid also aims to address the development of responses for women experiencing violence who are further marginalised and excluded from accessing support due to additional barriers they may face due to, for example, socio-economic background, ethnic background, migrant status, geographic location, marital status, disability or sexual orientation.

Supporting the Implementation of the Code

of Practice on Domestic Violence

As Specialist Support Agency on Violence against Women to the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme, the key remit of Women's Aid in recent years has been to provide training to Family Resource Centres to support their implementation of the Code of Practice on Domestic Violence[1].

[1] The full title of the Code of Practice is: 'The Community Development Programme and Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme Code of Practice on Domestic Violence.'

Code of Practice

This Code was developed by the Community Response to Domestic Violence Network (CRDVN) in the West of Ireland in 2002.

In 2004, the Code was adopted by the National Advisory Committee of the Community Development Programme for use by Community Development Projects (CDPs).

In 2006, the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme adopted the Code of Practice too, thus providing an opportunity to offer training to both programmes together on a region-by-region basis.

The Code of Practice is, in essence, an agreed way of working on the issue of domestic violence.

The Code of Practice Provides:

A definition of domestic violence Information about violence against women in intimate

relationships A statement that domestic violence is never acceptable in our

communities for each project to sign up to A focus on the importance of developing a range of responses to

meet the needs of diverse women Various internal and external measures and actions that projects

may take in response to this crime A framework to support projects to contribute to local, regional

and national responses to the issue of domestic violence against women

Code of Practice Training

The training provided by Women’s Aid to FRCs aims to support centres to implement the Code.

The issue of violence against women is then an integral part of the work of the centre and incorporated into each centre's work plan.

Emphasis has been given to seeking a number of participants from each project so as to achieve a whole organisational approach.

Training is offered to FRCs and CDPs together which provides a positive mix for participants' exchange of experience, mutual learning and networking.

Other key areas of Specialist Support from Women's Aid to

FRCs: Policy and campaigning work on the issue of violence against women, including representation on significant policy fora and the preparation of policy submissions on a variety of specific issues relevant to domestic violence

Provision of an information service on Violence against Women to FRCs, including the provision of leaflets and posters

Facilitation of FRCs' participation in the 16 Days Campaign on Violence against Women and provision of key resources in this regard

Women's Aid (Foundation Level) Training to Family

Resource Centres Aim: To support centres to implement the Code of Practice on Domestic Violence by facilitating them –

To become more familiar with the Code of Practice on Domestic Violence

To gain an understanding of domestic violence and the difficulties facing a woman in attempting to leave a violent relationship

To respond appropriately to a woman who discloses domestic violence and ensure that her safety is not put further at risk

Women's Aid (Foundation Level) Training to FRCs

continued To support individual women in the community by referring them to relevant services

To consider how to address the additional barriers some woman may face in accessing support and information

To send out a clear message that domestic violence is a crime and never acceptable

To explore and name appropriate, achievable actions for their project in order to implement the Code of Practice on Domestic Violence

Women's Aid (Foundation Level) Training to FRCs

continued The training is designed to make the Code of Practice an integral part of the two days, so that by the end of the training participants would be very clear on the content and purpose of the Code.

Part of Day 2 is devoted to facilitating centres to identify an appropriate goal and plan in relation to individual centres' implementation of the Code

Activities as Specialist Support Agency to FRCs up

to 2008 Women's Aid is very pleased to complete the roll out of foundation-level training on the Code of Practice on Domestic Violence to Family Resources Centres throughout Ireland in 2008. This work began at the end of 2005.

Participant Feedback from all over Ireland

'I now know how important a FRC would be to any woman who discloses domestic violence as we could be her first point of contact and we are now more capable to offer a referral.'

‘Yes. We do have a moral responsibility. Also we know it's out there and it is up to FRCs to be raising awareness of these issues.’

'Thanks - I learned tonnes! Your delivery and explaining made it all seem easy to follow.'

Regarding participants' understanding of domestic

violence: 'Definitely, my understanding has changed. I feel I am more prepared to deal with a women in a domestic violence situation. I knew very little about domestic violence before this.'

'The realisation of the full implications of domestic violence in the extended family scenario.'

'I understand better how to deal with the issues involved. It is a much bigger issue than I realised and the women's safety is paramount.'

Training Needs Analysis

Women's Aid carried out a training needs assessment in the third quarter of 2008 in order to establish the current training needs of Family Resource Centres and to support their continued implementation of the Code of Practice on Domestic Violence.

A questionnaire was posted to every FRC in the country in June 2008. The return rate was 35%. This is considered a very good return rate for a postal questionnaire and adequate for extrapolating data for use in planning. Findings of relevance to our workplan include:

Findings

42% of centres that responded had undertaken Women's Aid Foundation-Level Training on Implementing the Code of Practice on Domestic Violence

87.5 % of centres that responded reported that posters and information about domestic violence support services for women are being displayed in their centre.

87.5% of centres that responded stated they had information on domestic violence support services that could be made available to women experiencing domestic violence.

Findings Continued

20% of centres that responded said that the Code of Practice had been ratified by the board of management of their centre. 62.5% of centres that responded said the Code had not been ratified, while 15% said they did not know whether or not it had been ratified (2.5% unanswered).

52.5% of centres that responded said their centre takes part in the International 16 Days of Action Opposing Violence against Women campaign, with activities including: awareness raising events, information displays, media campaign, lobbying, information talks, vigils, fundraising events, and a march.

Future Training Needs

92.5 % of centres that responded stated they would be interested in continued availability of foundation-level[1] training. This figure includes centres that have already availed of foundation-level training as well as those who have not. In cases where centres have already availed of the training, this may reflect the need for additional staff members to access training and may also reflect training needs arising from staff turnover.

90% of centres that responded indicated that they would be interested in 'follow-on' training modules. FRCs were presented with a range of 'follow-on' training options and indicated a preference for training on: 1) in-depth workshops to support safe disclosures of domestic violence 2) domestic violence and children.

[1] Aim of Foundation-level training is to support FRCs to: have an enhanced awareness of Domestic Violence, facilitate disclosures and make safe referrals.

Training Programme for 2009

In direct response to the training needs identified by FRCs, Women's Aid has planned a training programme for 2009 that will provide:

Continued Foundation-level training on implementing the Code of Practice on Domestic Violence

The introduction of a follow-on training module that will support centres in dealing with issues relating to Domestic Violence and Children and also provide more in-depth workshops to support Safe Disclosures of Domestic Violence.

Follow-On Training

New Follow-on Training to Support the Implementation of the Community Development and Family Resource Centre Code of Practice on Domestic Violence

Follow-on Training

In Depth Workshops Facilitating Safe Disclosures on Domestic Violence

Supporting Best Practice in relation to Children and Domestic Violence

Who is eligible to attend the training?

Paid staff of FRC’s and CDP’s Voluntary management members of FRC’s

and CDP’s Who have already completed the

foundation-level Code of Practice training

What will the training offer your project / centre?

In response to training needs identified recently by CDPs and FRCs, the training will build on learning developed during and following the foundation-level training

Facilitating Safe Disclosures of Domestic Violence

Aim: To support FRCs and CDPs to develop best practice

in facilitating safe disclosures of domestic violence. Objectives: To build on participants' skills gained from foundation-

level Code of Practice training and subsequent experiences in facilitating safe disclosures

To address challenges experienced by participants in relation to facilitating disclosures

To provide participants with opportunities to develop their practical skills through role play and group work

Supporting Best Practice in relation to Children and

Domestic Violence Aim: To build on FRCs and CDPs previous training

experience and support the development of best practice in relation to Children and Domestic Violence.

Objectives: To examine the effects of Domestic Violence on children To gain an understanding of the coping mechanisms

children use To explore how domestic violence can impact on

parenting To develop an understanding of the support needs of a

mother experiencing domestic violence To develop an understanding of best practice

What the Participants Said

Did the training address challenges you have experienced in relation to facilitating disclosures?

Yes. Learnt the various skills we may need to know, ie good listening skills, how we approach the subject with the person and children if involved.

Yes - the roleplay I found useful here as I could see how not to behave and the different (positive) outcome when setting is correct.

Yes, in terms of best practice; and good to know that can call Women's Aid for advice as every case unique and questions and challenges always arise.

What the Participants Said

Did the training support increased awareness of the effects of domestic violence on children?

Yes. This is a huge area and concern and a lot was learnt from the two days.

Yes, Awareness that different children of different ages / gender and the coping mechanisms they have - and who their main supports are.

What the Participants Said

Did the training support increased awareness of the effects of domestic violence on a woman's parenting and her support needs?

Yes. Sometimes we never question parenting roles and the responsibilities it involves. This was an excellent learning tool.

Yes, was very effective. Greater awareness and understanding now of how parenting is effected as a result of domestic violence - More aware of supports women may need and challenges they experience.

What the Participants Said

Any other comments? Excellent tutors and very pleasant.

Delivered the 2 day training in a very easy manner and got everyone involved.

Three very friendly - open - welcoming - caring understanding facilitators.

Calendar of Women’s Aid Code of Practice Training

2009 May 27th and 28th: Foundation Level Training Midlands (Athlone)

June 10th & 11th: Specialised Training in Dublin June 24th & 25th: Foundation Level Training West

(Mayo) September 9th & 10th: Foundation Level Training

Midlands (Athlone) October 21st & 22nd: Specialised Training –

Region to be confirmed November 18th & 19th: Specialised Training –

Region to be confirmed