Domestic Violence Trainings for Providers
Serving Survivors of Covert Abuse and Coercive Control
WomenSV offers trauma-informed domestic violence trainings to equip professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively assist survivors of covert abuse and coercive control.
Our goal is to educate providers so that they can identify and address covert abuse and coercive control when working with clients who may be experiencing these forms of abuse.
We understand the complex challenges faced by both survivors and the providers who support them. Our trainings are designed to empower professionals including physicians, therapists, attorneys, court staff, teachers, technology companies, domestic violence agencies, and law enforcement officers. By customizing our courses to meet the specific needs of each service provider, we aim to create a more compassionate and informed network of support for survivors.
Previously recorded domestic violence training videos
From Trauma to Triumph: Executive Summary Workshop Presentation at the Domestic Violence Conference
Watch as Rachel McKenzie presents "From Trauma to Triumph: Executive Summary Workshop" at the County of Santa Clara's 30th Annual Domestic Violence Conference on October 13 2023, on behalf of WomenSV. Created by Ruth Darlene, founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, the Executive Summary Workshop is a powerful tool to assist domestic violence survivors in navigating the challenging journey of summarizing their experiences in a clear and concise manner, enabling effective communication with others.
Covert Abuse and Coercive Control Training for Christian Therapists
WomenSV's Executive Director Ruth Darlene takes Christian therapists on a journey through the uncharted waters of covert abuse and coercive control. Anything in the hands of a covert abuser can become a weapon - even therapy, even Christianity. Watch out for the twisting of scripture that works to justify abuse which neither the Bible nor Jesus ever condoned. Stay 'til the end for tips to therapists on what to look for and how to support survivors of covert abuse and coercive control.
Deep Dive Into Covert Abuse and Coercive Control for Christian Therapists: Part 2
Ruth Darlene, Founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, presents a training to help Christian therapists understand and support survivors of covert abuse and coercive control. In this second half of the two-part training, Ruth discusses the impact of domestic violence on children and adults, potential hazards of therapeutic intervention with a covert abuser, considerations for providing trauma-informed care to survivors, tips for helping survivors tell their story and resources for assessing situations involving domestic abuse.
Deep Dive Into Covert Abuse and Coercive Control for Christian Therapists: Part 1
Ruth Darlene, Founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, presents a compassionate perspective that empowers Christian therapists to recognize and support survivors of covert abuse and coercive control. This training video covers the definition and characteristics of covert abuse and coercive control, with true stories to illustrate examples of real-life situations that therapists might encounter with their clients.
Why is it important for providers to know about covert abuse and coercive control?
Having served over 1400 survivors in the past 13 years, we have learned that educating the providers who work with survivors is key to creating safer and more supportive communities.
Covert abuse and coercive control are subtle forms of domestic violence that can be challenging to identify, yet have devastating consequences for survivors. Sophisticated abusers often involve emotional, financial, legal, and technological abuse tactics that isolate, threaten, and control victims. These behaviors may or may not include physical or sexual abuse but can still pose a significant risk to survivors' lives.
Many individuals experiencing these types of abuse struggle to recognize and address it, while providers often lack the necessary training to identify the signs and symptoms. The repercussions of covert abuse and coercive control can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of suicide. Survivors may lose their homes, careers, children, source of income, public reputation, and, tragically, sometimes even their lives.
Our trainings aim to educate professionals and systems that survivors interact with, enabling them to recognize and address these subtle forms of abuse effectively. By doing so, we build a strong, compassionate and understanding support system for survivors.
Partnerships
WomenSV has conducted training sessions for a wide range of professionals and organizations, including:
Santa Clara County (SCC): Domestic Violence Council’s Annual Domestic Violence Conference, Probation Department, Superior Court, District Attorney’s Office, SCC Psychological Association therapists, Court Systems staff, Los Altos / Mountain View Police Department, Kaiser physicians (Santa Clara and San Jose), Valley Medical Center physicians, HR and global security staff at Google and Google X (Mountain View), Oracle (Santa Clara), LogDNA/Mezmo, San Jose Christian Counseling Center, Community Health Awareness Council, St. Francis High School seniors and staff, De Anza College Nursing students, Los Altos City Council, Cupertino City Council, Bay Area Psychological Association (BAPA) Domestic Violence Advocate staff and students at AACI, CORA, and NARIKA.
Southern California: Probation Department in Orange County.
San Mateo County: Domestic Violence Council and CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse), Atherton Police Department.
Statewide: Google and judicial officers across California.
International: Google’s Global Security Teams (America, Asia, Europe), Americas Conference to End Coercive Control (ACECC), Association of Threat Assessment Professionals International Conference (ATAP).
Did you know that domestic violence has a significant impact on employee productivity and even on a company’s bottom line?
Click here for more information.
WomenSV is dedicated to empowering professionals who serve survivors of covert abuse and coercive control.
Our tailored trainings provide the knowledge and tools necessary to identify and address these subtle forms of domestic violence, ultimately creating a safer and more compassionate community for survivors. If you or your team are interested in scheduling a training, please contact us.
Together, we can work towards building a world where survivors are met with the understanding, support, and protection they deserve.