Archives: Trainings

SETDAB Lecture Series: Strengthening engagement through cultural understanding

Posted on April 21, 2026 by -

A presentation by the Essex County Council (Essex Countywide Traveller Unit) and Phoenix Futures (Enhanced Support & Access Team) partnership.

 

Date: 20 May 2026, 10.00am until 12.00pm

This session is designed to help professionals develop, or refresh their knowledge and confidence when working with Gypsy, Roma & Traveller communities. The focus is on building trust, improving communication, and challenging assumptions that can hinder effective engagement.

In this session, we will explore:
• Cultural differences and how they shape expectations, behaviours, and service engagement
• Effective communication styles that support rapport building and reduce misunderstanding
• Common myths that can influence professional judgement and community perceptions
• Barriers to engagement and practical strategies for overcoming them
• The support available from ECTU and ESAT to community members and professionals

This presentation aims to equip practitioners with insight and tools that support respectful, culturally informed, and meaningful interactions.

To attend the session via Microsoft Teams please copy this link and add it to your calendar, so you can access it at the appropriate time:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/31733011606748?p=YCJlIxiQzkx3m4mAmk

 

 

SETDAB Lecture Series: Supporting Older Victims of Technology-Facilitated Domestic Abuse- Delivered by Dewis Choice

Posted on April 29, 2026 by -

Wednesday 10 June 2026 9.30am-11.30am via teams. The duration of the session is 2 hours, and will include opportunities for discussion, reflection, and application of learning through real-life case examples.

This seminar focuses on recognising and responding to technology-facilitated domestic abuse in later life, an increasingly prevalent but under-recognised form of harm.

As digital technology becomes embedded in everyday life, it is also being used by perpetrators as a tool for coercion, control, surveillance, and financial exploitation. Older adults may be particularly vulnerable due to lower digital confidence, increased reliance on others for support, and barriers to recognising or reporting abuse. This session aims to deepen understanding of how technology is misused within the context of domestic abuse involving older people, including abuse perpetrated by intimate partners and adult family members.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the session, participants will:

  • Recognise the signs and indicators of technology-facilitated abuse affecting older individuals, including how it may differ from other forms of abuse.
  • Develop an understanding of how coercive control is enacted through digital means, including monitoring, financial abuse, and manipulation of devices and accounts.
  • Demonstrate increased confidence in identifying hidden or disguised abuse, particularly where it is framed as ‘help’ or support.
  • Apply learning to case study examples to strengthen professional curiosity, safeguarding responses, and risk assessment in cases involving technology.
  • Identify practical strategies to support digital safety, cybersecurity, and safety planning with older victims.

About Dewis Choice

Based at the Centre for Age, Gender and Social Justice at Aberystwyth University, the Dewis Choice Initiative has co-produced a grassroots intervention, designed by the community, specifically to support older victim-survivors of domestic abuse perpetrated by a partner, ex-partner, and/or adult family member.

Dewis Choice provides intensive support to individuals aged 60 years and over, enabling them to make informed choices about safety, civil and criminal justice options, and wellbeing in recovery. The initiative takes a rights-based approach, ensuring that no one is discriminated against due to age, gender, sexuality, or disability.

Dewis Choice also leads pioneering research, including the first prospective longitudinal study exploring how older people navigate decision-making in the context of later-life domestic abuse. This research has been awarded a 4* (world-leading) rating by the Research Excellence Framework. Insights from this work, alongside engagement with victim-survivors, families, and practitioners, inform Dewis Choice’s service provision, training, policy development, and knowledge exchange activity.

To attend the session via Microsoft Teams please copy this link and add it to your calendar, so you can access it at the appropriate time:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/35814489781797?p=gqsCEVbllPWFk2oDGP 

SETDAB Lecture Series: (REPEAT) Six of one and half a dozen of the other? Assessing victim/perpetrator dynamics in Intimate Partner Relationships.

Posted on March 13, 2026 by -

Tuesday 21 April 2026 9.30-12.30 via teams

This half day conference style training session offers delegates the opportunity to gain an understanding of how to assess cases of intimate partner violence where both parties report being a victim of abuse. It aims to increase awareness of the impact on the family when victims and perpetrators are incorrectly identified.

The training will cover different types of domestic abuse and perpetrator typologies and the presenting behaviours of victims and perpetrators. On completion of the training, delegates should have an increased confidence in assessing cases where there are counter allegations.

Aims of the Training

  • An introduction to the theoretical perspectives on violence in interpersonal relationships.
  • To gain an understanding of how perpetrators use coercive control to shift blame.
  • To provide an overview of the research on perpetrator typologies.
  • To help delegates in understanding counter allegations and the DARVO model.
  • An introduction to assessing victim/perpetrator dynamics and behaviours.

About the Speaker

Jo Majauskis is an independent Trainer and consultant who has worked in the field of Domestic Violence/abuse for 15 years.

Her previous roles have included frontline support work and Senior Management positions for Domestic Abuse Support Services. In her current role, Jo chairs Domestic Homicide Reviews and delivers training on Domestic and Sexual Violence, Stalking and Trauma Informed Practice.

Joanne is also an Associate Lecturer for the Department of Violence Prevention, Trauma and criminology (School of Psychology) at the University of Worcester having completed her own Master’s in Dynamics of Domestic Violence with a Distinction in 2015.

To attend the session via Microsoft Teams please copy this link and add it to your calendar, so you can access it at the appropriate time:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/31770106742251?p=mHKvLmCQV3zZytLFmu

Learning from ‘Laura’- Domestic Abuse Related Death Review

Posted on January 29, 2026 by -

Safer Chelmsford & SETDAB are running a joint in person learning event on Wednesday 11th March 2026, 9.30am-12.30pm, Chelmsford. There are limited spaces available and we will close the booking for this event when full.

Overview: The event will explore key themes from a recent DARDR to improve awareness and inform practice.

Target audience: Frontline workers and managers – those working with victims, families and perpetrators of domestic abuse within Southend, Essex & Thurrock

Aims: To improve awareness of themes and learning from a recent DARDR and for learning to be cascaded and applied to practice within organisations.

About the speaker

Gary Goose MBE undertook the role of Independent Chair on this Review. He had previously served with Cambridgeshire Constabulary rising to the rank of Detective Chief Inspector, his policing career concluded in 2011. During this time, as well as leading high- profile investigations, Gary led the police response to the families of the Soham murder victims.

From 2011, Gary was employed by Peterborough City Council as Head of Community Safety and latterly as Assistant Director for Community Services.  The city’s domestic abuse support services were amongst the area of Gary’s responsibility as well as substance misuse and housing services.  Gary concluded his employment with the local authority in October 2016. He was also employed for six months by Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner developing a performance framework.

To apply for a space please click here.

 

SETDAB Lecture Series- Domestic Abuse Related Death Review (DARDR) Briefings

Posted on September 16, 2025 by -

The DARDR Thematic Review 2025  draws out the themes from 11  completed reviews  across SET as well as linking to themes identified in previous thematic reviews and national research.  The briefings will explore key themes from reviews to improve awareness and inform practice.

SETDAB DARDR Thematic Review Briefing 2025 Final

As we reflect on these findings, we also remember the lives lost and the impact on families and communities.

Target audience: Frontline workers and managers – those working with victims, families and perpetrators of domestic abuse.

Aims: To improve awareness of themes and learning from DARDRs and for learning to be cascaded and applied to practice within organisations.

1. Intersectionality in DARDRs

Thursday 16 October 2025, 10-11.30am – Taken place.

2. Multiple complex needs in DARDRs

Thursday 11 December 2025, 1-2.30pm – Taken place.

3. Domestic abuse and suicide in DARDRs

Wednesday 14 January 2026, 10-11.30am – Taken place.

4. Adult family homicides, carer dynamics and co-existence of dementia in DARDRs

Wednesday 28th January, 10-11.30am

To attend the session via Microsoft Teams please copy this link and add it to your calendar, so you can access it at the appropriate time:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NzNhNTU3ODUtMjM0OS00ZDRhLThlZjYtZjEwOTZiNzMyMjdi%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a8b4324f-155c-4215-a0f1-7ed8cc9a992f%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%226fd7182b-c68b-46a4-b0cc-b9db952a14ca%22%7d

SETDAB Lecture Series – Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)

Posted on June 13, 2025 by -

Delivered by our local MARAC Managers

Monday 23 February 2026 11:00 – 13:00 via Microsoft Teams

Target audience:

Frontline workers and managers who may need to make referrals into MARAC for victims of domestic abuse.

Session Outline:

  • To be able to recognise high-risk domestic abuse.
  • Feel more confident when completing a risk assessment.
  • Understand how to complete a high-risk referral to MARAC.

To attend the session via Microsoft Teams please copy this link and add it to your calendar, so you can access it at the appropriate time: 

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MDhlYzBkMTctZjJlYy00OTM1LTg2NWUtMTBjOGRiZmJmZGNm%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a8b4324f-155c-4215-a0f1-7ed8cc9a992f%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%226fd7182b-c68b-46a4-b0cc-b9db952a14ca%22%7d

ESCA: Suicide linked to Domestic Abuse Lecture “The Person most likely to kill a victim of Domestic Abuse is themselves”

Posted on June 9, 2025 by -

Essex Social Care Academy are presenting the following lecture:

Suicide linked to Domestic Abuse Lecture “The Person most likely to kill a victim of Domestic Abuse is themselves”

Date: Tuesday, 24 June 2025, 1.30pm until 3.00pm, via Microsoft Teams.

Partners are invited to attend this lecture delivered by Tim Woodhouse who is the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme Manager.

Since 2018, Tim has been researching the link between domestic abuse and suicide. He recently completed and  Churchill Fellowship, looking for global best practice to reduce the risk of domestic abuse related suicides and has very recently published his report, “The person most likely to kill a victim of domestic abuse… is themselves”.  The report identifies 66 ways to reduce domestic abuse related suicides, some of which are aimed at government, some are aimed at local commissioners and some are aimed at front line practitioners.

The lecture will be talking about domestic abuse and suicide so please consider your wellbeing when booking onto this session.

To attend the session via Microsoft Teams please copy this link and add it to your calendar, so you can access it at the appropriate time:

https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e83/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fteams.microsoft.com%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%253ameeting_MDk2OTIyOTYtNzY2Mi00NDc2LWFkOTQtZjFlZDRiNDAyOWI4%2540thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522a8b4324f-155c-4215-a0f1-7ed8cc9a992f%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522971dd76c-4abf-4597-9523-869e00ba81a5%2522%257d&data=05%7C02%7Cesca%40essex.gov.uk%7C95c0e88babf64a506cc408dd574632ed%7Ca8b4324f155c4215a0f17ed8cc9a992f%7C0%7C0%7C638762681186923080%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s3nwPFXPn7iaF8XVVa6NgKbggIL8izjaMQTM8hNG6gQ%3D&reserved=0

SETDAB Lecture Series: (REPEAT) Six of one and half a dozen of the other? Assessing victim/perpetrator dynamics in Intimate Partner Relationships.

Posted on May 9, 2025 by -

Friday 4 July 2025, 9:30 – 12:30, via Microsoft Teams.

This half day conference style training session offers delegates the opportunity to gain an understanding of how to assess cases of intimate partner violence where both parties report being a victim of abuse. It aims to increase awareness of the impact on the family when victims and perpetrators are incorrectly identified.

The training will cover different types of domestic abuse and perpetrator typologies and the presenting behaviours of victims and perpetrators. On completion of the training, delegates should have an increased confidence in assessing cases where there are counter allegations.

Aims of the Training

  • An introduction to the theoretical perspectives on violence in interpersonal relationships.
  • To gain an understanding of how perpetrators use coercive control to shift blame.
  • To provide an overview of the research on perpetrator typologies.
  • To help delegates in understanding counter allegations and the DARVO model.
  • An introduction to assessing victim/perpetrator dynamics and behaviours.

About the Speaker

Jo Majauskis is an independent Trainer and consultant who has worked in the field of Domestic Violence/abuse for 15 years.

Her previous roles have included frontline support work and Senior Management positions for Domestic Abuse Support Services. In her current role, Jo chairs Domestic Homicide Reviews and delivers training on Domestic and Sexual Violence, Stalking and Trauma Informed Practice.

Joanne is also an Associate Lecturer for the Department of Violence Prevention, Trauma and criminology (School of Psychology) at the University of Worcester having completed her own Master’s in Dynamics of Domestic Violence with a Distinction in 2015.

To attend the session via Microsoft Teams please copy this link and add it to your calendar, so you can access it at the appropriate time:

https://teams.microsoft.com/dl/launcher/launcher.html?url=%2F_%23%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%3Ameeting_NmMwMTZkZGEtOGFhYS00YTdkLWJlY2ItOTc4NjQ3MjdjN2I5%40thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522a8b4324f-155c-4215-a0f1-7ed8cc9a992f%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%25226fd7182b-c68b-46a4-b0cc-b9db952a14ca%2522%257d%26anon%3Dtrue&type=meetup-join&deeplinkId=48463453-90fa-496f-a081-ed47c85de55d&directDl=true&msLaunch=true&enableMobilePage=true&suppressPrompt=true

SETDAB Lecture Series – Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)

Posted on May 2, 2025 by -

Delivered by Jacqui Lovegrove, Imelda Callowhill & Fiona Pallett, MARAC Managers

Monday 19th May 2025 11:00 – 13:00 via Microsoft Teams

Target audience:

Frontline workers and managers who may need to make referrals into MARAC for victims of domestic abuse.

Session Outline:

  • To be able to recognise high-risk domestic abuse.
  • Feel more confident when completing a risk assessment.
  • Understand how to complete a high-risk referral to MARAC.

To attend the session via Microsoft Teams please copy this link and add it to your calendar, so you can access it at the appropriate time: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MWMwNDBhODUtMDZkNC00NTY5LTgxOWItOThjODU0ZmE4MWU0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a8b4324f-155c-4215-a0f1-7ed8cc9a992f%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%226fd7182b-c68b-46a4-b0cc-b9db952a14ca%22%7d

SETDAB Lecture Series: Understanding and Addressing Domestic Abuse in LGBTQ+ Communities

Posted on April 14, 2025 by -

Tuesday 10 June 2025, 9.30 – 12.30 via Microsoft Teams

This half day conference style training session offers delegates the opportunity to gain an understanding of Domestic Abuse in LGBTQ+ Communities.

Aims of the training

  • Increase awareness of the prevalence of Domestic Abuse in LGBTQ+ Communities.
  • Increase understanding of the unique risks, barriers and support needs of LGBTQ+ victims.
  • Increase awareness of best practice approaches to building inclusive services.

About your Trainer

Tracy Martinez has been working with the LGBTQ+ community, and providing training nationally for 20 years. Tracy has 10 years experience of working in Domestic Abuse Safeguarding with Essex Police.

She now specialises in:

  • Gender Identity
  • Sexuality
  • Gender Expression
  • Barriers to Service
  • Legislation and Human Rights
  • Policy & Procedures
  • Supporting Individuals
  • Safeguarding Practice Reviews

To attend the session via Microsoft Teams please copy this link and add it to your calendar, so you can access it at the appropriate time:

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZjhhNzZhZDEtMTdlMC00MGM0LTlhOGEtZmEzMDQ5NWI3MzBh%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22a8b4324f-155c-4215-a0f1-7ed8cc9a992f%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%226fd7182b-c68b-46a4-b0cc-b9db952a14ca%22%7d