Domestic Violence Organization & Other Social Services Trainings
WHY WORK WITH PRESAGE?
As both an abuse survivor and 26 year professional in the field of domestic violence response and prevention, Lynn Fairweather, MSW brings unique experience and perspective to training events across the country. Her interactive, multi-media presentations are customized to the needs and interests of each audience and cover a wide variety of relevant topics with a focus on the application of practical skills and knowledge.
Presage offers customized organizational training on a variety of domestic violence topics.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THREAT ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT: THE ART OF HOLISTIC PROTECTION
This training explores the key theories and techniques of threat assessment and management as it demonstrates how they can be applied to domestic violence cases. Participating professionals will learn how to evaluate and mitigate risk as they discover the trajectory of an attack, warning signs for imminent violence, target hardening tactics, and practical planning strategies to increase community safety and case management skills.
STRANGULATION: RISKS AND RESOURCES
Appropriate for all first responders, this training will explore the deadly relationship between domestic violence and strangulation. Participants will learn basic elements of neck anatomy, methods and effects of strangulation, and recognizable signs and symptoms, focusing on the roles of law enforcement, advocates, and prosecutors.
THE SEXUALLY VIOLENT BATTERER: ASSESSING RISK IN DUAL PERPETRATORS
Research shows that domestic violence perpetrators who also sexually abuse their intimate partner are an exceptional group, a “different breed” of an abuser that is potentially far more dangerous than one who physically abuses alone. Learn about the characteristics, tactics, and motives of so-called “dual perpetrators” and discover how to assess their behavior with an eye toward femicide prevention. Participants will examine offender profiles, risk factors, victim screening practices, and the utility of actuarial assessment tools.
SAFETY PLANNING MASTERCLASS FOR ADVOCATES
Developed to give skilled advocates a fresh perspective on safety planning, this training introduces participants to advanced security concepts such as “target-hardening”, “leakage”, and “color-coded awareness levels”. Attendees will examine 3 types of safety plans while learning how to recognize lethality indicators, perform a residential “safety walkthrough”, harness inexpensive technologies to enhance security, and construct “seamless” safety plans to reduce the vulnerability and accessibility of the clients they serve.
THE EMPLOYED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM: UNDERSTANDING RIGHTS, RISKS, AND REMEDIES
Roughly three-quarters of domestic violence victims are employed outside the home, but the abuse they experience doesn’t stay there when they leave for work. This interactive presentation examines the impact of domestic violence on working victims, the employment laws that support them, and the extensive menu of ways that an employer can help. Participants will learn about the sabotage and “spillover” tactics of abusers, review laws that protect their clients on the job and discover a vast assortment of safety strategies that can save the lives of abused employees and their co-workers.
SNAKES IN THE GRASS: DETECTING LETHALITY IN THE ABSENCE OF REPORTED PHYSICAL ABUSE
Reported physical abuse is an obvious risk factor for intimate partner homicide, but what about the 20-30% of killings that don’t have an apparent abuse history? This workshop focuses on how dangerous cases can slip through the cracks due to a lack of documented violence and what lethality traits often appear in seemingly stable situations. Learn about the prevalence and common denominators of such cases, characteristics of offenders, markers of imminent danger, and the signs of system collapse that can end in tragedy.
SURVIVORS IN THE FIELD: HOW TO SAFELY USE YOUR PERSONAL TRAUMA EXPERIENCE AS AN ADVOCACY TOOL
What draws survivors of domestic and sexual violence to work in the response and prevention field, and how does their experience affect their work? This unique training examines the pros and cons of being a “survivor in the field”, exploring how professionals can turn their personal pain into a strength for helping others. Focus areas include managing “trauma relapse”, embracing survivor pride, finding your place and purpose, and developing a toolbox of self-care and stress prevention skills.
IN VINO VERITAS: THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Designed specifically for substance abuse treatment providers or advocates working with chemically dependent survivors, this training explores the complex overlap between the worlds of domestic violence and addiction. Participants will examine the foundations of domestic violence and the patterns and factors influencing victim and perpetrator substance abuse. Attendees will develop a deeper understanding of this combination's dangerous issues and learn how to recognize, respond to, and refer abused or abusive clients.
RECOGNIZING AND RESPONDING TO INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN FAMILIES
This comprehensive training aims to teach professional clinicians how to identify and react to the presence of partner violence within the family unit. The content features an overview of the impact, foundations, and dynamics of abuse followed by practical information about the signs of family violence and suggestions for how to respond. Participants will leave with an increased knowledge of intimate partner violence and new skills for screening and assisting affected clients.
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF STALKING
Are all stalkers mentally ill? How does stalking affect the victim? What are the best strategies for victims and law enforcement to utilize when dealing with stalkers? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this training that explores the common characteristics/tactics of stalkers and the prominent typologies used to classify them.
ADVANCED SHELTER SAFETY: PROACTIVE PROTECTION STRATEGIES FOR STAFF AND RESIDENTS
This interactive training examines the safety concerns facing domestic violence shelters and helps participants learn to mitigate their risk through preparation and proactive assessment. Participants will learn the markers of a high lethality situation and the foundations of personal safety and then practice these skills by brainstorming ideas in three shelter safety scenarios. Attendees will leave with a comprehensive toolbox of safety ideas, including information on using de-escalation, assertiveness, escape options, and technology to ward off attacks.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS
This interactive presentation covers the basics of domestic violence including dynamics, types of abuse, myths and facts, and cycles of violence. Also discussed are reasons why victims stay, and how to support survivors. Appropriate for all audiences with a limited or varying understanding of domestic violence.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RISKS AND RESOURCES: WHAT EAP PROVIDERS NEED TO KNOW
Employee Assistance Program providers are uniquely positioned to recognize, respond to, and refer both victims and abusers, but many lack the training and skills needed to address this complex and dangerous subject. This presentation introduces participants to the issue of domestic violence and how “spillover” in the workplace can impact victims, perpetrators, co-workers, and businesses overall. Attendees will learn how to screen callers for abuse and examine options for best practices response and referral.