The Department of Communities and Justice is to launch a new training program next month to empower community and religious leaders to respond to domestic and family violence.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Mark Speakman said the accredited course, run by TAFE NSW, would give participants the tools and resources to help people who sought their guidance.
“Multicultural communities and those who’ve recently emigrated to NSW will often look to local community or religious leaders as a first point of contact about a range of issues, including potential domestic abuse,” Mr Speakman said.
“It’s hoped this training will make a significant difference for those who face many barriers to reporting violence in the home, or may even struggle to identify it in the first place,” he said.
“This is particularly important in the current COVID-19 climate where frontline domestic violence services have reported increases in the number of victims seeking support.”
Mr Speakman said the training aimed to strengthen victim support while encouraging increased reporting across the State.
“Empowering leaders in the community means victim-survivors have more avenues for help,” he said.
“Educated with the right information and the skills to recognise abuse in different forms means leaders may be able to provide that vital support to survivors for the first time and, ultimately, help ensure that people get the crucial help they need in times of crisis.”
He said there would be four two-day courses, three in metropolitan areas and one in regional NSW, with a maximum of 25 leaders per course.
“The sessions will cover topics including awareness training of what constitutes domestic violence, ‘accidental counselling’, managing vicarious trauma, child protection and reporting responsibilities, as well as safety assessment skills,” Mr Speakman said.
