This workshop aims to help participants consider different forms of violence within intimate relationships, paying close attention to the nature and dynamics of coercive control.

It will explore typical processes within abusive relationships – how these tend to develop over time and what are the most common consequences for victims. Interactive group work and discussions will cover issues such as:

• What are the usual signs that someone is in an abusive relationship?
• Why don’t victims leave and why do they return? (And what this mean for professional positioning & responses?)
• What risks do victims face?
• What are the most common psychological effects and the mental health diagnosis for victims of domestic abuse?
• How to ensure that interventions, (including therapy/counselling), do not increase serious risks of physical and psychological harm?

The workshop will also shed light on current legislation for coercive and controlling behaviours and consider possible implications for practitioners.

Bianca is an experienced Women’s Aid trainer. She has been with the charity since 2008. In the intervening years she has developed and delivered many accredited and bespoke courses on a variety of topics for practitioners in the field of domestic abuse. Examples of courses she has been delivering are those on the Women’s Aid national qualification in Tackling & Preventing Domestic & Sexual Abuse. Other examples include courses for professionals supporting children and young people with experiences of domestic abuse; vicarious trauma and domestic abuse workers; training courses for facilitators of programmes for group work with survivors of domestic abuse such as, The Power to Change or You and Me Mum. Before joining Women’s Aid, Bianca acquired a doctorate in psychology from the University of Birmingham and lectured psychology at Worcester University for over a decade.