Join the Cotswold Domestic Abuse Champions' Network

The training is open to any professionals in people-facing roles. From teachers and carers to hairdressers or first responders. People that sign up will receive training from the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) on how to spot the signs of abuse and help to support and guide people disclosing domestic abuse.

Cllr Jenny Forde, Cabinet Member for health and wellbeing, said: “I’ve been saying for some time that we have to stop thinking that this doesn’t happen here. We know it does and we can’t let this ‘silent pandemic’ continue. That’s why we have continued throughout the last year, to successfully deliver domestic abuse champion training to a range of local groups and organisations across the district. Our goal is to build a wider network of champions that helps us reach victims and provide them with the support they need.

“We encourage all professionals and local businesses in the Cotswolds to sign up for our next round of training dates. There is no limit on how many from an organisation can be a champion. A network of champions across the district will strengthen our ability to proactively spot the signs of domestic abuse in all its many forms and help communities to understand exactly how to support family, friends or community members.”

The next round of training sessions start in August (more dates to follow) and each champion will have to complete a five-hour training module over two days.

Block one:

• Tuesday 3 August: 10:00 – 12:30
• Thursday 19 August: 18:00 – 20:30

Block two:

• Monday 9 August: 10:00 – 12:30
• Tuesday 31 August: 18:00 – 20:30

Sign up for domestic abuse champion training. The deadline to sign up for the training is 5 pm Monday 2 August.

Champion training covers the local picture in the Cotswolds and Gloucestershire regarding support agencies and programmes; why victims stay and how to support them; the different types of perpetrator; the different types of abuse; the child’s experience; how to assess the level of risk with the DASH (Domestic Abuse Stalking Harassment) risk assessment and much more.

If you have any questions about the network, please contact jeff.neathway@cotswold.gov.uk