Understanding Domestic Violence and Abuse

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 Define domestic violence and abuse using the Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Recognise all forms of abuse including coercive control, economic abuse and digital abuse

Identify indicators of abuse in adults and children

Understand trauma responses and how they affect survivors

Ask about abuse safely and respond to disclosures using the LIVES framework

Know your safeguarding duties and when to refer or escalate

Navigate key legislation including Clare's Law and MARAC

Access national and local referral pathways and support services

Understand the specific barriers faced by Romanian survivors in the UK 

With over 1.4 million Romanian nationals living in the UK, Romanian is the third most spoken language in England and Wales after English and Polish. Yet Romanian survivors of domestic abuse remain significantly underserved by mainstream services.

This course includes specialist content developed from the direct frontline experience of Lotus Justice and Support Centre CIC, covering:

The specific barriers Romanian survivors face including language isolation, fear of deportation and distrust of authorities

How to work safely with professional interpreters and never use family members

EU Settlement Scheme rights and how to communicate these clearly to clients

Referral pathways to Romanian-language support including Lotus Justice and Support Centre CIC

This content is not available in any other CPD course on domestic abuse in the UK. 

1.4 Million+ | Romanian nationals living in the UK

3rd | Most spoken language after English and Polish

Underserved | Significantly underrepresented in mainstream DVA services 

Module 1: What is Domestic Violence and Abuse?

Duration: 30 to 40 minutes

Definitions and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, all types of abuse including coercive control and economic abuse, the Power and Control Wheel, the Cycle of Abuse, myths and misconceptions, UK statistics and the Romanian community in the UK.

Includes: Case Study, Reflection Exercise, 8-question Knowledge Check 

Module 2: Recognising   the Signs and Understanding Impact

Duration: 35 to 45   minutes

Behavioural and physical   indicators in adults and children, children as victims under the Domestic   Abuse Act 2021, the four trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn),   intersectionality, barriers faced by Romanian survivors, the DASH Risk   Identification Checklist.

Includes: Case Study   (Elena and Andrei), Reflection Exercise, 10-question Knowledge Check

Module 3: Your Role, Responding, Asking and Referring

Duration: 35 to 45 minutes

Creating safety for disclosure, how to ask about abuse, the LIVES framework in practice, professional role and boundaries, safeguarding duties for adults and children, safe documentation, secondary and vicarious trauma.

Includes: Case Study (Cristina), Reflection Exercise, 10-question Knowledge Check 

Module 4: Legal Frameworks, Referral Pathways and Support

Duration: 25 to 35 minutes

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021, coercive control legislation, Clare's Law, MARAC, IDVA and ISVA roles, national referral pathways, Romanian-specific services, safety planning for Romanian clients.

Includes: Case Study (Ioana), Course Summary, 8-question Knowledge Check, Final Assessment 

 Final Assessment: 20 questions covering all 4 modules. Pass mark 70%. Unlimited attempts. CPD Certified certificate issued automatically on completion.