Introductory Level Training

These courses are mandatory for all new volunteers and provides them with the essential knowledge and skills to do their work.

Core Learning
This five day course is for new Victim Support volunteers. There are weekend and weekday courses.  The course covers the following subjects:

• Impact of crime
• Practical help and support
• Listening skills
• Working with feelings and emotions
• Equal opportunities and diversity
• Working with children

Magistrates Court Witness Service Training
This six day course is for new Witness Service volunteers. It covers the following subjects:

• Impact of crime
• Court procedure
• Criminal justice processes
• Working with vulnerable and intimidated witnesses
• Equal opportunities and diversity
• Listening skills and working with feelings and emotions

Specialist Courses

These are designed for volunteers who have been working with victims/witnesses of violent crime for at least six months and who wish to further their skills and knowledge in order to support victims/witnesses of specific crimes.

Those interested in doing specialist work undergo an interview and selection process before being put forward for any of these courses.

Bereavement By Homicide
This is a four day course for Victim Support volunteers. The course covers:

• Myths and realities
• Homicide - The law
• Reflections on how murder affects us
• Beliefs about death
• Experiences of loss/death
• Bereavement theories
• Specific features of homicide
• The role of the police
• What incapacitates the helper
• Victim Support's role
• Supervision
• Referrals and endings

Racist Crime
This is a four day course for Victim Support volunteers. The course covers:

• Experiences of being in a minority
• Stereotypes
• Racism in Britain
• The impact of racist crime
• Support needs of victims
• The role of Victim Support and relevant agencies
• Skills practice
• Supervision and support
• Action planning

Domestic Violence
This is a four day course for Victim Support volunteers. The course covers:

• Myths and realities
• The experience of abuse
• The abusive relationship
• Why people stay/return
• Why people abuse
• Equalities issues
• The approach to helping
• Role of Victim Support and other agencies
• The effects on children
• DV in lesbian and gay relationships
• Safety issues and contact methods
• Skills practice

Domestic Violence (Witness Service)
This is a two day course for Witness Service volunteers. The course covers:

• Myths and realities
• Why victims stay/return
• The abusive relationship
• Effects on children
• Approach to helping and boundaries
• CPS policies on Domestic Violence
• Skills practice

Supporting Victims of Sexual Violence
This is a four day course for Victim Support Volunteers. The course covers:

• Definition of offences under the heading ‘sexual violence’
• The impact of sexual violence may have on men and women
• Reactions of others
• Barriers that may exist for male victims in expressing feelings and needs
• Police investigation
• HIV and other sexually transmittable infections
• Factors enabling recovery
• Role of the SOIT officer
• The law and the role of the CPS
• Drug assisted rape
• Issues around reporting
• Support and supervision
• Skills practice 
• The volunteer’s role

Homophobic and Transphobic Crime
(revised Homophobic Crime course)
This is a three day course for Victim Support Volunteers. The course covers:

• Society’s attitudes and influences around sexuality and the impact on lesbian, gay and bisexual people
• Gender identity and the experience of transsexual people
• Defining homophobic and transphobic crimes and incidents
• Impact of crime and repeat victimisation of LGBT people
• Issues affecting reporting
• Concerns and support needs of LGBT victims/witnesses
• Myths and stereotypes

 

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