Foundations of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Work Practices (Online)

Given the prevalence of domestic and family violence across Australia, the need for contemporary foundational training to support workers is essential.  

This workshop will provide introductory and foundational level of information of how to recognise and respond to DFV sensitively and appropriately. Completing the workshop will also build your understanding and acknowledgement of:   

• Gender inequality and its relationship to DFV   
• Work practices that consider trauma-informed principles   
• The impacts of health and wellbeing for DFV victims/survivors   
• Intersectionality, victim/survivor experiences and sensitivity in responding to DFV   
• Prioritisation of physical, cultural, and emotional safety   
• Workplace limitations, worker boundaries and WHS   

The new Domestic and family violence services Practice principles, standards, and guidance   

Feedback from previous DFV Foundations   

• "Thank you for putting on such an informative and interesting training session. I really enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others." 
• "As someone who has just started learning about gendered violence, I found many aspects of the seminars have had a significant impact on how I am thinking about the nature of gendered violence, how cyclical it can often be, and what this means for different and diverse communities. It has made me especially determined to explore and address these issues in rural and remote communities, communities of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and Indigenous communities." 

Learning Outcomes:  

1. Recognise the social, economic, political, and historical contexts of DFV. 
2. Review work practices when recognising and responding to DFV. 
3. Identify work health and safety considerations when recognising and responding to DFV. These learning outcomes are based on the principles of safety, respect, access and equity, human rights, intersectionality, social justice, empowerment, and accountability. 

Event Details:

Dates: 

Session 1: Tuesday, 5 September 2023
Session 2: Wednesday, 6 September 2023
Session 3: Thursday, 7 September 2023

Time: 9:30am - 12:00pm (AEST - Queensland Time)
Location: Online

Please note this is a three part series. Participants should attend all sessions.

Who should attend

Practitioners across the service types of the target group would benefit from this training as it provides a foundational understanding of domestic violence practice. 

About the facilitators

Suewellyn Kelly

CQUniversity Associate Lecturer Suewellyn Kelly is a researcher, educator and practitioner with 30 years’ experience in the health, community, and education sectors. Suewellyn has a keen interest in integrated, holistic work practices that reduce ‘silo’ responses for families facing complex issues in their lives. Her roles have included both advocacy and program development, addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, mental health, substance misuse, generational trauma, as well as educational, social, and financial exclusion. Suewellyn sits on the Mackay DFV Integrated Services Team, the Mackay Mayor’s DFV Taskforce and the DFV Prevention Council’s DFV Prevention Champions Network. 


Elizabeth Boardman (Liz)

Liz Boardman has spent over 15 years working directly with women and children who have experienced gender-based violence in Southeast Queensland and in the United Kingdom. In 2019 she was excited to transition to QCDFVR to take on a new role supporting practitioners within the sector through facilitating Communities of Practice and upskilling generalist practitioners through training.

Liz’s years working as a domestic violence advocate in Queensland equipped her with a thorough and practical knowledge of the challenges Queensland women, children, and families face. She looks forward to applying this knowledge and developing her research skills within the dedicated QCDFVR team.

Mellisa Taggart

CQUniversity Indigenous Student Wellbeing Project Officer, Mellisa Taggart is a proud Wonnarua women from the Hunter Valley of NSW. Mellisa works in the Counselling & Wellbeing Team at CQUniversity and is passionate about the Social & Emotional Wellbeing of our Indigenous student cohort and working on initiatives to make our students learning journey successful. Mellisa is a facilitator of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid and Talking About Suicide courses and delivers these to students, staff and community members of CQUniversity