The Family Resource Centre (FRC) is hosting a three-day Domestic Violence Intervention Training Programme (DVITP) from Tuesday, 28 November to Thursday, 30 November 2017.

The free workshop, which will be held at the Brasserie’s Willow House Conference Room, 8.30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., is for front-line professionals such as police officers, social workers, probation officers, and for those persons who want to learn more about the dynamics of abusive relationships in order to help others.

It is designed to help attendees forge stronger working relationships with partner agencies and help them to learn how to use local resources efficiently.

The programme was held recently in Cayman Brac in the fall 2017. It was facilitated by Brenda Dawkins, Erin Hislop and Miles Ruby from the FRC who used PowerPoint, videos, brainstorming, group activities and discussion to conduct the training.

Representatives from 17 agencies attended that session, including participants from the Department of Community Rehabilitation, Department of Planning, Needs Assessment Unit, Teacher’s Centre, Adult Special Needs Programme, Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, National Drug Council, Health Services Authority, the Ministry of Education and Cayman Brac Daycare Centre.

Private sector attendees included a registered homeopath and a caregiver for the elderly.

The overall feedback from participants was excellent as most commented that they were not aware of how many interfacing agencies were involved in working with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.

According to FRC’s facilitators, participants shared that they were going away with a better understanding of why victims stay in domestic violence situations and how as agencies they need to be present for them every time until they are able to get out of such relationships. (Statistics have shown that a victim will take up to 35 beatings before reporting and pack their belongings, and to go at least 8 times before actually leaving.)

Another element of the training highlighted by participants was learning the cycle of abuse and understanding where in that cycle the victim is when working with them, in order to better serve them.

“Our feedback shows that the DVITP enhances participants’ understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, and increases their sensitivity to persons who are victims,” said the FRC’s Acting Programme Coordinator Charmaine Miller. “This month’s training will be the last in what has been a very busy and productive year for our facilitators. We look forward to an even better uptake in 2018,” she added.

DVITP training was introduced in 17 Caribbean countries including the Cayman Islands in 2000.

The FRC coordinates at least three training sessions a year. For further information and to register for this month’s Domestic Violence Intervention Training Programme, contact [email protected] or call 949-0006.

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IMAGE: Domestic Violence Wikipedia