Online course on non-fatal strangulation – available now
Education is critical to increase the identification of non-fatal strangulation and provide appropriate response and referral.
It is also key to prevent future non-fatal strangulation for women who experience this form of intimate partner assault.
Since 2020, we have had a standalone non-fatal strangulation (NFS) law in Western Australia. This is similar across the other states and territories in Australia. I am pleased that this has occurred – and this is due to the dedicated work of victim-survivors, advocates, domestic and family violence organisations, the WA peak body for domestic and family violence, and the Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) to get this to government and introduced as a criminal offence.
I believe as many others do, that having just a legal response won't solve the perpetration of this highly dangerous and commonly used form of abuse. However, it's a start in the right direction - making NFS illegal means it is recognised for its seriousness. It means men (I've written men, as statistics show NFS is predominantly used by men against women) should not strangle their partners. There is now a legal avenue to protect women and charge men.
However, to prevent any societal issue or problem, we need to look at multiple strategies and solutions. For example, having an offence may deter those who perpetrate NFS from doing it again through penalties and punishment. But this happens at the crisis response end after the incident or many incidents have occurred. We know from the evidence that NFS is more prevalent and perpetrated multiple times later in the relationship. What about intervening earlier? Is that possible?
The answer is yes - I believe we can intervene earlier. I propose we provide information about NFS and educate people who work alongside women experiencing domestic and family violence. While it is critical for women experiencing NFS to have the support they need to stay safe, whatever that may look like - crisis response, case management or counselling, early intervention is also essential.
Education on NFS can also be an early intervention strategy and plays a vital role in stopping the further recurrence of this form of assault. When I talk about early intervention, I refer to the definition by Safe + Equal.
“Initiatives designed to stop early signs of abuse from escalating, prevent violence from recurring, and reduce longer-term impacts and harm.” – SAFE + EQUAL
I believe that everyone - domestic and family violence specialist services, police or justice staff, health professionals, mental health and alcohol and other drug service staff, or different roles within community services who are working alongside women experiencing domestic and family violence, should have the knowledge on the seriousness of this form of abuse and how to identify, respond and refer.
NFS is a highly dangerous act of violence and a common feature of many domestic and family violence cases. It's not like it rarely occurs –we just aren't asking the right questions to our clients about NFS.
NFS is a tool used by abusers to exert power and control and instil fear. There is a high risk of serious injury or homicide for the person experiencing it. Awareness of the seriousness of NFS and how to effectively support clients who have been strangled is critical to intervene – to stop the violence from escalating, preventing it from recurring or reducing long-term harm. All of these are features of early intervention strategies.
I created a 3-hour NFS face-to-face course training in 2020 to meet the gap in NFS education. I have delivered this at various locations regionally and in the Perth metro area in the last two years. I've updated this initial training and created an online course for ease of access and availability for people. We are all busy people, and an online course enables flexibility to do it at your pace and at a time that suits you. I’m a professional working and living in regional Western Australia, and I know how difficult it is to access quality training and development living in the country. Therefore, an online course enables access for people no matter where they live.
I have over 12 years of experience working alongside women experiencing domestic and family violence. I’ve provided advocacy, risk assessment, safety planning support and case management during that time, observing that strangulation is a significant form of assault against women. I have been delivering training and professional development for over two years now, developing my own content from research & the evidence base, my experience working in the field and lived experience input.
Here are the NFS online course details:
It is evidence-based and trauma-informed– I've done quite a bit of research and written content on NFS over the past five years (as part of postgraduate study) and pulled this all together in one place.
It's aimed at any professional, practitioner or support person that works alongside victim-survivors experiencing domestic and family violence.
The content covers all aspects of NFS in the context of domestic and family violence - understanding what it is, prevalence, seriousness, risk factors, harms caused by NFS, recognising signs and symptoms, supporting victim-survivors, appropriate questions for clients, documentation and checklists, safety planning, referrals, and other specialist NFS organisations and resources.
You can download the resources and take them with you to use in practice.
It takes about an hour (total to complete). You can start and come back to it whenever you like.
Access to the course is for one year from enrolment.
It costs $55 (inclusive of GST) per person.
Organisational invoicing is available for two or more employees. Please email me if you wish to purchase a bulk enrolment order for your team. hello@theorangestory.com.au
OPENING SPECIAL Until the end of December 2022, 20% off for bulk enrolments of 5 or more employees.
Student rates available – please enquire at hello@theorangestory.com.au
*This course does not cover medical or forensic assessment and management of NFS. This training can be sourced from https://www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au/For-Health-Professionals/SARC/Training
On completion of the workshop, participants will be confident to recognise, respond, refer, and safety plan alongside clients experiencing NFS and work towards preventing future strangulation and violence.