On-Site Training

 This 1-day in person training is designed to provide new and experienced advocates who serve survivors of intimate partner violence with the knowledge and skills need to increase competence and understanding of serving surviors from these marginalized communities.  It will also increase advocates’ capacity to understand bias and stigma related to sexual orientation, gender idenity and expression (SOGIE), and their impact on the well-being of LGBTQIA+ survivors navigating the DV/IPV services system.

 

·        Define terms associated with LGBTQIA+ identities
·      Describe the impact of bias and oppression on LGBTQIA+ IPV survivors
·      Describe issues and challenges that LGBTQIA+ IPV survivors may face
·        Barriers to seeking services 

 

TUESDAY, August 20th, 2024 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 

 

For any survivor of domestic violence, there are barriers to safety and services that often prevent that survivor from leaving or reaching out for help. For immigrant or refugee survivors, the barriers to safety can be extensively greater in number and complexity. It is essential for advocates to have an understanding of what these barriers may be in order to effectively serve immigrant and refugee survivors. At this one-day training, we will talk about the difference between immigrants and refugees, how they come to be here in the US, and clarify the terminology apply to these broad groups. We will identify and discuss the unique barriers and strengths of immigrant and refugee communities here in Georgia, and we will develop ideas of how mainstream domestic violence organizations can partner with culturally specific community-based groups to reach survivors who are in need of support. Throughout the training, we will incorporate the concepts of practicing cultural humility and cultural self-awareness as the best approach to connecting with immigrant and refugee survivors and communities. 

Learning Objectives:

• Define and distinguish between immigrants and refugees
• Understand the application and vetting process for refugees coming to the US
• Apply an approach of cultural humility to advocacy work
• Increase knowledge and understanding of the unique barriers and domestic violence dynamics experienced by immigrant and refugee survivors (with a special focus on African, Bhutanese and Burmese cultures, stories, and examples)
• Develop tactics for reaching out to and forming partnerships with culturally specific community service programs
• Identify and celebrate the resiliency, strength, and creativity of immigrant and refugee survivors

There a many reasons survivors may be forced to or choose to stay or return to an abusive partner. Safety planning with a survivor who is currently living with an abusive partner is a critical skill for domestic violence advocates. Advocates often focus safety planning efforts when survivors are actively leaving or have left the abusive partner and miss the practical ways safety planning could help mitigate future harm for survivors who stay. 

This virtual training is the fourth in our 2025 Safety Planning Essentials Series where we will learn, discuss, and practice our safety planning skills around five potentially challenging survivor situations. Done in a "lunch and learn" style with a 60 minute presentation, no camera or microphone required, followed by an optional 30 minutes at the end for group discussion, scenarios, and role plays. 

Register for the upcoming sessions, every 4^th  Wednesday through June, 2025:

·        Session 5: Survivors With Pets

 This training is designed to provide new advocates and domestic violence program staff the basic principles of working with victims of domestic violence.  A variety of topics are addressed including:

• Dynamics of domestic violence

• Barriers faced by victims

• Cultural humility

• Lethality indicators

• Safety planning

• Crisis intervention and crisis line work

• Advocacy foundations such as empowerment, ethics and confidentiality

This interactive training is provided by GCADV staff utilizing lecture, small group activities, role-plays, audiovisuals, and exciting discussion. The training is an excellent opportunity for new advocates to gain a thorough understanding of domestic violence advocacy or for experienced advocates looking for a “refresher” on core knowledge and skills.  

 This training is designed to provide new advocates and domestic violence program staff the basic principles of working with victims of domestic violence.  A variety of topics are addressed including:

• Dynamics of domestic violence

• Barriers faced by victims

• Cultural humility

• Lethality indicators

• Safety planning

• Crisis intervention and crisis line work

• Advocacy foundations such as empowerment, ethics and confidentiality

This interactive training is provided by GCADV staff utilizing lecture, small group activities, role-plays, audiovisuals, and exciting discussion. The training is an excellent opportunity for new advocates to gain a thorough understanding of domestic violence advocacy or for experienced advocates looking for a “refresher” on core knowledge and skills.