Training Topics

Foundational Offerings

Women’s Advocates offers online presentations via Zoom. In-person presentations are available upon request for groups located within Minnesota.

We predominantly provide trainings for groups and organizations consisting of:

• Victim-survivors of domestic and sexual violence 
• Domestic and sexual violence advocates 
• Direct social service providers (case managers, social workers, legal advocates, etc.) 
• Medical and mental health providers

If you are seeking an in-person presentation and you are located outside of Minnesota, please search for state-specific domestic violence resources and trainings here. 

To schedule an online presentation, visit our calendar here or email our team education@wadvocates.org. 

Domestic Violence 101

• Understand the prevalence of domestic violence as a public health concern in Minnesota and beyond
• Recognize the different forms of abuse, general warning signs/dynamics, and impact on victim-survivors
• Acknowledge the root causes of domestic violence and barriers to safety while addressing common misconceptions
• Engage in conversations about domestic violence and support victim-survivors including connecting them to safety resources

Domestic Violence 201

• Expand understanding of abusive relationship dynamics, deepening knowledge of emotional abuse tactics and the form of abuse known as coercive control;
• Explore why the general public is historically reluctant to believe survivors who come forward about their abuse; and
• Gain tools and courage to stand up against victim-blaming and minimization, and help build a culture that believes victim-survivors

How Domestic Violence & Homelessness Impact Survivors’ Mental Health Wellness

• Discuss the interconnectedness of domestic violence (including childhood abuse), housing instability, and mental health impacts (including substance abuse)
• Recognize and navigate barriers to safe housing and mental health support
• Identify warning signs and the power and control dynamics related to housing and mental health concerns
• Share relevant resources and support systems available for victim-survivors

How to Support Children Through Abuse Related Trauma

• Recognize the warning signs of child abuse (from a developmental lens) and engage in conversations about abuse with children in a trauma-informed way 
• Understand how children may experience, react to, and be impacted by abuse-related trauma (including ACES)
• Support children who have experienced/been exposed to domestic violence through knowledge of healthy communication skills, safety planning, protective resources and resilience promotion

All About Safety Planning

• Know the different facets of “safety” beyond the physical, and the importance of holistic safety in the lives of victim-survivors
• Understand the components and considerations of safety planning (including online)
• Identify when safety may be compromised and create a personalized safety plan related to level of risk (including ongoing support systems and resources to be connected with)

Healthy Relationship Building Blocks

• Know the components of healthy relationships across the relationship spectrum: friendships, family, intimate partners, colleagues (including trust, healthy communication skills/expectations, emotion regulation)
• Identify their relationship rights and needs with the support of setting boundaries
• Recognize red flags and green flags in potential relationship partners

Other Topics Outside of Our Foundational Curriculum

Check out local community organizations for other presentation topics:

• Human/sex trafficking: Breaking Free and Cornerstone 
• Anti-Violence in the LGBTQ community: OutFront MN and Cornerstone
• Anti-Violence in the Trans Community: Family Tree Clinic
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing Community: ThinkSelf and Family Tree Clinic
• Engaging Boys and Men in Violence Prevention: Men as Peacemakers