ADVANCED SKILLS IN DOMESTIC ABUSE - IDENTIFYING THE PERSON IN NEED OF PROTECTION

Misidentification can have devastating consequences for victim-survivors, children and families. When the person using violence is incorrectly identified as the person needing protection, the impacts can be long-lasting, affecting safety, legal outcomes, child protection decisions and access to support.

This one-day training is designed for professionals working in domestic and family violence, child protection, policing, community services and related fields. It is particularly valuable for team leaders, supervisors and managers who want to strengthen their team's confidence in identifying patterns of abuse and responding safely. The training is also highly relevant for practitioners working with male victims, where careful assessment is essential to distinguish genuine victimisation from the misuse of victim narratives by people using violence.

Participants will build practical skills in recognising patterns of coercive control, analysing language and behaviour, and responding confidently when concerns about misidentification arise.

Together will will take a deep dive into:

Understanding the Risks of Misidentification
Explore how and why misidentification occurs, the harm it causes, and the significant impacts it can have on victim-survivors, children, investigations, court outcomes and service responses.

Language Matters
Learn how the language people use can reveal patterns of abuse. We unpack common narratives used by victim-survivors and people using violence, helping practitioners move beyond isolated incidents to identify the broader pattern of coercive control.

Managing Misidentification
Develop practical strategies for responding when the wrong person has been identified as needing protection. We explore safe, accountable approaches to reviewing decisions, managing risk and supporting those affected.

Turning the Conversation Around
One of the most challenging moments in practice is recognising that the person presenting as the victim is actually the primary aggressor. This session provides practical guidance on shifting the conversation, maintaining engagement, avoiding collusion and keeping the focus on accountability and the safety of victim-survivors and children.

Joel Palmer has spent more than 20 years working alongside individuals and families impacted by domestic and family violence, alcohol and other drugs, child protection, homelessness, and cognitive impairment.

Throughout his career, Joel has worked directly with both men who use violence and victim-survivors, giving him a deep understanding of the dynamics of coercive control, resistance, accountability, and the devastating impacts of misidentification. He has developed men's behaviour change programs, worked within child protection, and supported government, court, and community organisations to strengthen frontline domestic abuse practice.

Joel has a particular interest in helping practitioners identify patterns of abuse, avoid collusion, and make sense of complex presentations where the person using violence presents as the victim. His training draws on real practice, current evidence and plenty of case examples, giving participants practical skills they can take straight back into their work.

People consistently feedback that Joel's training is practical, engaging and easy to follow. He enjoys creating a relaxed learning environment where people can ask questions, challenge ideas and build confidence in responding to some of the most complex situations they'll encounter in practice.