Strangulation in the Context of Family Violence

Course description

How informed are you on the risks of non-fatal strangulation to women?

Do you have the knowledge and skills to support clients experiencing non-fatal strangulation in your family violence practice?

Course description

NFS is a significant and lethal form of family violence perpetrated mainly by men against women. It is also a common coercive controlling method used by intimate partners. On the 1st of October 2020, in Western Australia, family violence legislation came into effect as a specific offence to suffocate or strangle another person. This follows on from some other states and territories who have also introduced standalone strangulation offences. It is imperative that everyone working with clients experiencing family and sexual violence have an understanding of how to recognise and respond to NFS appropriately.

This training provides comprehensive background and evidence-based information about non-fatal strangulation (NFS) in the context of family violence. It provides participants with information relating to non-fatal strangulation including the evidence base, legislation, definitions, methods, impacts and consequences, signs and symptoms, coercive control, assessing risk and supporting clients.

On completion of the workshop, participants will be confident to recognise, respond, refer, safety plan and case manage clients experiencing NFS and work towards preventing future NFS and violence.

Please note that this workshop does not cover clinical or forensic guidelines relating to NFS.

Who should attend?

This training is suitable for professionals, practitioners, support and refuge workers, advocates, and staff working in health, child protection, police and justice and other sectors who work regularly with clients who are at risk of, or experiencing family and sexual violence.

Training outline

Understanding NFS

NFS research, limitations and strengths
Definition of NFS and methods of strangulation
Epidemiology of NFS in the context of family violence
Impacts, signs and symptoms
Coercive control and NFS
Understanding risk

Legislation

Legislative reform and WA legislation

Responses and support for women experiencing NFS

Trauma informed approaches
Assessment tools
Appropriate questions for clients, documentation and checklists
Identify risk indicators for clients and decision making around risk and safety
Assess, respond, keep records, safety plan and support clients to prevent future NFS and violence
Specialist NFS information and referral

Putting it into practice

Review case studies and identify factors and complexity of NFS and cross sector responses required

Resources

NFS fact sheet

When

Friday 23rd July 2021

1030am to 1230pm

Prices

$40 plus GST

Venue

Kalgoorlie Women's Health Care Centre

15 Dugan Street

KALGOORLIE WA 6430