This programme has been designed to familiarise social service professionals with information on domestic violence, dealing with victims of domestic violence and intervention strategies for perpetrators of such violence. Participants who complete this training are able to:

1. Identify the different forms of domestic violence
2. Identify different victims of domestic violence
3. Describe appropriate response strategies to be used for specific victims, such as LGBTIQA, male victims and elders
4. Understand and explain the dynamics of domestic violence
5. Understand the key theoretical frameworks for domestic violence, such as the ecological theory and the social learning theory
6. Understand and describe the physical, emotional and psychological effects of domestic violence
7. Identify and refer to key pieces of legislation which form part of the response to domestic violence, including protection orders
8. Understand the guiding principles of working with victims and the Victim’s Charter
9. Understand the dynamics of trauma and the basic elements of a trauma debriefing
10. Understand how to conduct a risk assessment for a domestic violence case
11. Understand how to develop a safety plan for a victim of domestic violence
12. Understand appropriate interventions to respond to domestic violence, and the relevant caveats for the different interventions
13. Understand how to conduct a community risk assessment to form the basis of primary domestic violence prevention at community level
14. Understand important considerations when mobilising communities as part of primary prevention for domestic violence
15. Understand the importance of self-care in order to reduce risk of trauma and burnout as a professional exposed to trauma through case work
16. Complete a professional quality of life assessment in order to identify areas that need attention in order to prevent burnout and trauma
17. Understand a range of practical self-care tips designed to prevent burn-out and trauma as a professional

Completion Requirements: Participants must complete assignments and pass an exam with at least 80%. The programme costs R500 with a 90 day access license. You must complete the programme in 90 days.

Please note this programme is text only and does not have audio narration.

SACSSP accreditation status: SACSSP CPD accreditation: Accredited for 17 points for social workers and social auxiliary workers on completion. (411/2024)

Note: If you do not work with domestic violence victims, you can use case histories drawn from the internet when completing your assignments, or you can create a fictional case.