Predominant Aggressor

Narratives and accounts of violence can be confusing and complex. How we determine who is who in these complicated circumstances is important for avoiding further systemic abuse of victims and collusion with perpetrators. Accurate assessment and identification of the needs of those with whom we work are critical in providing support and services which keep victims safe and perpetrators accountable.

Topics covered include:

Personal and professional values, internalised messages and stereotypes.
Primary V Predominant Aggressor definitions.
Mutual aggression/ Unpacking ‘mutual violence’ – pre-emptive/defensive.
Unpacking Female Violence – Oppression or Resistance/Dispelling the myth of the perfect victim.
Determining the Predominant Aggressor
Challenges in Determining the Predominant Aggressor.
Exploring unintended consequences and the risk of misidentification of the predominant Aggressor.
LGBTQIA+ and other intersectional considerations including racism, colonisation, culture, disability, etc.
Challenges of engaging with PUV’s – Why is it hard to challenge/engage. Avoiding collusion with offenders.

Learning Outcomes

Understanding the tactics of the predominant aggressor.
Using the C.H.I.E.F threat tool effectively to accurately assess and identify predominant aggressor.
Understand the difference in men's and women's use of force and violence.
Awareness and avoidance of collusion with the predominant aggressor.

Event details

Date: 4th March 2024
Time: 9:30am - 12.00pm (AEST)
Location: Online

Who should attend

This workshop is targeted at workers in specialist DFV, sexual violence and women's health and wellbeing specialist services. Enrolments from others are welcome but may be restricted.

About the facilitators

Dr Brian Sullivan

Brian completed advanced counsellor training in the USA and completed his doctorate in counselling and mental health at the College of Health and Human Services, University of Toledo, Ohio in 2000, where he researched readiness for change of court-mandated mal perpetrators of domestic violence.

While studying for his doctorate in the USA, Brian also trained in the Duluth Model of Domestic Violence Intervention. He worked intensively with court-ordered men in Ohio, using the Duluth program. Brian was instrumental in designing and developing the Master of Counselling Program at the University of Queensland where he coordinated a course in Violence issues in Counselling.

He also provided training for professionals in Domestic Violence Intervention Programs for men who perpetrate intimate partner violence, and with communities organising collaborative community responses to domestic violence.

Gabrielle Borgaarrd-Nicholson

Gabrielle is an executive leader, an accredited family violence social worker and a mentor. Her 17+ year career spans the human services from the Domestic and Family Violence Sector, the Child Protection Sector, Family Support and Therapeutic Counselling and experience in the Disability Sector.

During the last 13 years, she specialised in the executive management of not for profit organisations with a strong focus on justice and equality for women and elimination of gender based violence.