Domestic and family violence (DFV) is more than just physical abuse and can happen in any home. This training series covers the different types of abuse so participants will understand what signs to look out for, how to keep themselves safe and support victim/survivors.

These low cost and fully-catered sessions in the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre for targeted to local frontline workers and volunteers in organisations where domestic and family violence (DFV) is not a primary focus. Social services staff whose primary function is DFV support are also welcome to register.

Please note that these workshops are not support groups and will include triggering/sensitive themes. Participants must be 18 years plus.

Wednesday 27 November 2024

Course Content

Details

Session #1: Coercive Control

From 1 July 2024, coercive control is a criminal offence in NSW when a person uses abusive behaviours towards a current or former intimate partner with the intention to coerce or control them.

The criminal offence captures repeated patterns of physical or non-physical abuse used to hurt, scare, intimidate, threaten or control someone. The law only applies to abusive behaviour that happens after 1 July 2024.

In this training, you will gain deep understanding of the abusive behaviours that constitute as a course of conduct intended to cause harm to an intimate partner.

Learning outcomes:

recognise and identify the behaviours that cause fear, coerce or control a partner
understand the elements of the NEW offence in NSW
implement survivor strategies for improved safety
support victim survivors in gathering the evidence required by NSW Police
assess the risk, impacts and harms of the abusive behaviour

Wednesday 27 November

3:00pm - 6:00PM

$10 plus booking fees

Wagga Wagga Civic Centre

Thursday 28 November 2024

Course Content

Details

Session #2: Online & Tech Facilitated Abuse

At the beginning of 2024, there were over 25 million internet users and 20 million social media users (78.3% of the population) in Australia and the average Australian spends just over six (6) hours per day online with nearly two hours dedicated to social media.

With our lives being so dependent on access services, connection and day-to-day activities via devices online, it’s important that everyone understand how to stay safe.

In this session you’ll come to understand the types of abusive and violence behaviour that is facilitated by technology, using devices, platforms and programs, apps and the internet.

We share how the internet, communication platforms and technology are weaponised and provide strategies, screening tools, protective behaviours and reporting pathways to all forms of abusive behaviour such as stalking, harassment, hacking, intimidation, threats, trolling, doxing, humiliation and coercion including monitoring, surveillance, tracking and controlling behaviours.

Thursday 28 November

9:30am - 12:30pm

$10 plus booking fees

Wagga Wagga Civic Centre

Session #3: Financial & Economic Abuse + Family Law

Financial and economic abuse can be a form of domestic and family violence.

One in four women and one in thirteen men, have experienced domestic or family violence by an intimate partner, and of those who seek support 90% are affected by financial abuse (ABS, 2023).

A person may not identify or even realise that their situation involves economic abuse. Financial and economic abuse may be a hurdle that prevents a person from leaving a violent relationship.

This training will provide you with a deep understanding of how to recognise different types of financial and economic abuse and how to appropriately respond. You and your team will learn how to contribute to the long-term economic safety of victim-survivors.

The training will also provide an overview of Family Law relevant to the topic.

Thursday 28 November

1:30pm - 4:00pm

$10 plus booking fees

Wagga Wagga Civic Centre

Pick the session be suited for you or attend all three sessions // Registration is required as all sessions are catered.

About the facilitator:
Paula Smith at Upstream Educators is a powerhouse in the DFV space, providing a range of services of organisations and victim-survivors. Upstream Educators is a specialist, educator collaborating with local community to UPSKILL in the specialised knowledge, strategies and solutions of Personal, Online, Intimate Partner, Family, Financial and Economic Abuse, also known as Domestic Violence. DV comes in many forms, and is defined as a pattern of abusive behaviour that interferes with someone else with whom they have a relationship with.

We intend to create a safe space, that is free of judgement, but open to opinions and beliefs whilst respecting the contributions of all.

Reminder that these sessions are not support groups. If you or someone you know needs immediate help: call 000 in an emergency or visit THIS LINK for a list of local services.

We are committed to hosting inclusive and accessible events for everyone. If you need this information in another format or have any questions, please contact the Community Development Team on 1300 292 442 or email community@wagga.nsw.gov.au.