Foundations of Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Work Practices - Three Part Series (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."

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

Dates: Monday, 28 June, Tuesday, 29 June and Thursday, 1 July 2021

Time: 9:30am - 12:00pm

There will be an essential equipment test prior to the series on Wednesday, 23 June 2021 from 10.30am - 11.00am.


Learning Objectives:

• Recognise the social, economic, political, and historical contexts of DFV. 
• Review work practices when recognising and responding to DFV  
• 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

Who should attend

New frontline workers, volunteers, and administrators across domestic and family violence services, including women’s refuges, as well as direct service delivery workers in more generalised services. This may also be applicable for  those staff returning to the domestic and family violence workforce. 

About the facilitators

Suewellyn Kelly

CQUniversity Associate Lecturer Suewellyn Kelly is an educator and practitioner with 30 years’ experience in the health, community, and education sectors. She has worked with the Youth Affairs Network Queensland, the Queensland Council of Social Service, the Mackay Community Crime Prevention Action Team, and the Mackay Aboriginal and Islander Justice Alternative Group. Suewellyn has a keen interest in promoting integrated, holistic work practices - both in advocacy and program development roles – to address “silo” responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, homelessness, mental health, substance misuse, generational trauma, as well as educational, social, and financial exclusion.  

Jamie Anderson

CQUniversity Project Officer Jamie Anderson is a qualified Aboriginal social worker and identifies with the Gangulu Wuli-Wuli/Kanolu clan groups from Central Queensland. She actively possesses knowledge in social work processes and interventions, decolonisation and cultural supervision; with direct field practice and experience in youth, family violence within local Aboriginal rural, remote and broader community sector; and leading practice in an intensive family support program, her participation in collaborative research projects and sector development will continue in 2020 for the Centre. Jamie holds the position of Chairperson on the Board of Access Recreation, the leading provider of choice for people with disabilities, and Committee Member on the Board of Helem Yumba (HY) CQ Healing Centre.