DiVeRT

Domestic Violence Response Training

Re: Practice Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers as Domestic Violence Referral Points Project

DiveRT is an exciting new training opportunity funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Department of Health and Ageing.

What is the training about?

The training will provide participants with:  

• details on the extent and impact of family and domestic violence and why it is so difficult for victims to seek help;
• information, skills and support so that they will feel more comfortable and confident recognising domestic and family violence, making appropriate referrals, and accessing available resources in their communities;
• information that can be used to raise community awareness about the pathways to accessing support;
• strategies for ensuring their own safety; and 
• links to peers within their region, to reduce any isolation they may experience in their work.

The Trainers will be available by phone or email to support staff after the training. The training package takes into consideration the different perspectives on non-Indigenous and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ experiences and needs in their respective communities.

Why is the training important?

The Personal Safety Survey 2005 found that more than one in three Australian women said they had experienced violence since they were 15 years of age.  Of those women who experienced violence 64% did not report the incident to police, approximately 90% did not access any crisis service or legal help, and more than 10% did not talk to anyone about the incident.  General Practices and other health services have been identified through research as organisations with the opportunity to identify those who may have experienced domestic and family violence and link them in to available supports.

In 2006 national consultations with key stakeholders; in particular, Practice Nurses (PNs) and Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) were undertaken.  Those consultations along with existing training options were used to inform the development and the delivery of this training

Who is the training for?

The training is for Practice Nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers in Rural and Remote Areas (RRMA) zones 3-7 [identified by the 1991 Census Edition, November, 1994].

Who is providing the training?

The training will be conducted by Belinda Clark and Kathryn White from Lifeline Australia with the assistance of local Indigenous trainers where required.

What qualification will I attain by completing the training?

Training participants will receive a recognised Certificate of Attainment for the unit CHCDFV1B- Recognise and Respond to Domestic & Family Violence. The training is structured to support assessment and training delivery against relevant units of competency and qualifications in Health HLT07 and Community Services CHC02.

Where is the training?

Lifeline Australia will be providing the training in rural and remote locations all around Australia as well as offering the e-learning option for those unable to attend the face to face training. Extensive stakeholder consultations prior to the commencement of this project encouraged the face to face training.

When is the face to face training?

Download the schedule of dates and locations for DiVeRT training.

E-Learning

If you would like to enrol into the E-learning please download the E-learning enrolment form and fax it through to us (details on form). You will then be placed on a waiting list and contacted when there is a place available. Priority will be given to Practices where the face to face training is too far away to attend.

How long will the training take?

There is pre-reading material that takes approximately 1.5 hours to read.

The face to face training is provided over two consecutive days. There is also a workbook to complete after the training which takes approximately 1 hour.

The e-learning training takes approximately 17-18 hours, which includes completing the assessment questions. As there is a waiting list for the e-learning it is expected that the training be completed in around 6 weeks (this works out to around 3 hours per week).

What will the training cost?

Enrolment and completion of training is free.  An incentive payment will be available through the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) to eligible practices in rural and remote areas that act as a referral point for people experiencing domestic violence. Please refer to the PIP enquiry line 1800 222 032 for more details. You may also be eligible for support for travel and accommodation costs.  Please contact Julie Porritt of the Australian General Practice Network on (02) 6228 0800 assist with eligibility for support payments.

How do I enrol?

Complete the  enrolment form and fax to 02 6215 9401. Face to face participants will be provided with the pre-reading material and venue details. E-learning participants will be contacted by a trainer who will guide you through the log-in process.

Download the DiVeRT training enrolment form (pdf 116kb) 

Information about Trainers

Belinda Clark has been working in the field of crisis counselling for nearly ten years. She operated her own counselling practice for over eight years where she worked with people around issues such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, suicide, grief/loss and rehabilitation counselling. During this time she also worked as a volunteer at Lifeline Adelaide, taking on the roles of Telephone Counsellor and Group Facilitator.

In 2004 Belinda took a position with Lifeline Adelaide as a Counselling Supervisor and later as the Coordinator of Initial Training. She also coordinated Lifeline’s Suicide Crisis Support Program before taking on the role of National Project Coordinator with Lifeline Australia. She has had extensive experience in providing training to community organisations and Telephone Counsellors on topics such as Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Grief/Loss and Counselling Skills. Belinda holds a Certificate in Workplace Assessment and Training and is also a LivingWorks Trainer in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and ‘safeTALK’ Training.

Kathryn White has worked in the area of domestic and family violence in a variety of roles. Her most recent role was as the Coordinator of the South Australian Domestic Violence Helpline which she held for over 6 years.   This involved attending the Coalition of Domestic Violence Services meetings, planning and presenting training, supervising counsellors, promoting the service, organising promotional material and presenting external training to agencies including the South Australian Police, Families South Australia and government departments.

Kathryn also trained and supervised Lifeline telephone counsellors. She has also worked in a staff coaching role at the Child Support Agency. She has co-facilitated a group for men “Confronting Violence and Abuse’ and has also been involved in presenting at women’s support groups. She has extensive training experience in areas such as suicide, family violence, counselling, sexual abuse, working with challenging clients, mental health and crisis intervention.

Kathryn completed a Masters in Psychology (Work and Organisational) at the University of South Australia.  She also holds a Certificate in Workplace Assessment and Training, a Certificate in Freelance Writing and a Diploma of Business.

Kathryn is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (Student member), College of Organisational Psychology and Amnesty International.

If you want further information?

Please contact Belinda or Kathy with any questions or for further information on the project.

Belinda Clark	National Project Coordinator   Mobile: 0413 655 191   belinda.clark@lifeline.org.au   Fax: 02 6215 9401
Kathryn White	National Project Trainer   Mobile: 0411 821 031   kathryn.white@lifeline.org.au   Fax: 02 6215 9401