Understanding Domestic Abuse and Developing A Trauma-Informed Practice

This legal training introduces solicitors to domestic abuse legislation in Scotland and specialised practice when working with survivors of domestic abuse.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

· Recognise coercive control and understand the impact of domestic abuse on women and children

· Identify and utilise the key principles of trauma informed practice

· Reflect on your understanding of, and current practice in, working with women and children who have experienced domestic abuse.

The workshop is designed for solicitors, advocates and other legal professionals working with women and children who have experienced domestic abuse.

It may also be of interest to professionals such as advocacy workers, social workers, and the police, who support women, children and families through these legal processes.

If you are a solicitor who has been qualified for fewer than two years, we instead recommend completing our specialist newly-qualified solicitor training. Please check our website for future dates.

SWRC Approved Domestic Abuse Training

This training session forms one of two parts of the SWRC’s Approved Domestic Abuse Training for Solicitors which is intended to upskill family law solicitors, with the aim of adding solicitors to the SWRC Solicitor Signposting Network.

Women are directed to the signposting network from our helplines and surgeries to find solicitors with specialist knowledge and awareness of domestic abuse. It is one of the most visited pages on the SWRC website. For solicitors to be added to the network, they must have at least two years of experience.

Our other module covers domestic abuse legislation and trauma-informed practice, and you can find more information and future dates on our website.

If you have less than two years of experience, please either register for the Understanding Domestic Abuse for Lawyers Entering the Profession training or contact the SWRC to discuss your circumstances via eventbrite@scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk.

Discount Code

When you sign up to one module, you will receive a discount code which you can use to book the other for £50.

Facilitators

This session will be presented in a collaborative manner, with ample opportunity for discussion, reflection and questions. It will be facilitated by Jodie McVicar and Helen Hughes.

Jodie McVicar is Scottish Women’s Aid’s National Trainer, having previously worked in Women’s Aid refuges and having served as a Board Member providing governance to Women’s Aid groups.

Jodie works with local and national partners to raise awareness of best practice in providing effective service responses to domestic abuse. She also designs and delivers bespoke domestic abuse training nationally, both digitally and in person.

Jodie has spent a substantial period within the Safeguarder Panel Team, supporting national safeguarders working within the Children’s Hearing and court system.

Helen Hughes is a partner with Helen Hughes Family Law and is a specialist in Family Law, with particular expertise in cases involving domestic abuse.

She has practiced in this area of law since 1987, past Chair of the Family Law Association, and has frequently been involved in consultations with the Scottish Government and SLAB on legal aid issues in family law and domestic abuse cases.

Helen is editor and co-author of Domestic Abuse and Scots Law and a former editor of Greens Practice Styles.

She is a member of the advisory board of the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre and is also a mediator accredited by the Law Society of Scotland. Helen is currently the Chair of CALM.

She regularly provides training to solicitors and the public sector on family law, mediation and issues arising in domestic abuse cases.

Accessibility

The session will take place virtually on Zoom. We require that participants have their cameras on throughout the training. If this is an issue or if you have any accessibility requirements, please get in touch with us on reegan.bonar@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk.

Any use of AI software in SWRC trainings is strictly prohibited. Any use of AI or non-permitted recording software or devices will result in the immediate removal from the training.

If you use accessible devices or software with recording functions, you need to discuss this with our Justice Training Worker a week before your training date.

This allows facilitators to make necessary adjustments and accommodations for that session.

Only specialist software registered to that individual can be used in SWRC training sessions such as software supplied by Access to Work or other accessibility schemes.

Registration

Please note that registration for this event closes 48 hours in advance of the start of the training.

Cancellation Policy

If you can no longer attend the event, please email us at eventbrite@scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk. Please note, tickets are issued in a person's name and cannot be transferred without prior approval.

Solicitor Signposting Network Membership

Network accreditation relates to an individual solicitor and not their wider firm. As such, the Approved Domestic Abuse Training for Solicitors must be completed by the same solicitor in order to obtain membership to the network. The solicitor must also have been practicing for two or more years and their main caseload must be in Family Law.

To maintain our solicitor signposting network, each solicitor is required to complete our Refresher training every two years. Failure to complete the refresher training will result in you being removed from our network.

Module 2 of our workshops will be "Understanding the Law and Practice In Domestic Abuse Cases" on Friday, 23rd May 2025.