YWCA Canberra

Education & training

Preventing gender-based violence

YWCA Canberra delivers a range of training and education options that help prevent and respond to violence against women in the community and in our workplaces.

Keep an eye on our events page or contact pvaw@ywca-canberra.org.au to find out when our next training is on.

Active bystander intervention workshops

Our Active bystander intervention workshops invite workplaces to play a leadership role in preventing violence against women. Our evidence-based interactive three-and-a-half-hour workshop explores the link between gender inequality and violence against women. Upon completion, participants will be empowered with practical tools and strategies to create safer and more respectful workplaces and communities.

Bystander approaches are the interventions that support individuals to intervene in violence, harassment or other anti-social behaviour to prevent and reduce harm to others. Research shows that bystander approaches are an effective way of preventing violence against women, especially domestic and family violence, sexual violence and other forms of interpersonal violence.

When workplace employees are skilled as active bystanders it also helps address:

  • destructive workplace behaviours, including workplace bullying which contribute to gender inequality.
  • a hostile work environment where sexual harassment at work takes place.

Our three-and-a-half-hour workshop covers:

  • gender inequality and violence against women
  • gendered drivers of violence against women
  • the role of bystander approaches in the workplace
  • active bystander skills and how to apply them
  • gender equality in the workplace and building a workplace culture of equality and respect.

Do you want to play a role in ending gender-based violence in your community? Get started with our free online course.

We know that primary prevention is critical to ending violence against women: equipping young people with the skills and knowledge they need to have respectful relationships.

Our Respect Ed program caters to young people from primary school age through to adulthood.

The key resources under this program include:

  • Teaching Respect Ed: A two-day training course for educators to be up-skilled in the delivery of primary prevention programs. This comprehensive course includes the theoretical framework for effective primary prevention, program planning for specific school environments, and training in the delivery of YWCA Canberra’s respectful relationships programs. This program has been accredited for 10 hours of professional learning through the ACT Teacher Quality Institute.
  • Respect, Communicate, Choose (RCC): an award-winning, evidence-based respectful relationships program aligned with best practice for primary prevention programs and has been designed to align with the National Curriculum. The program is targeted at young people aged nine to 12, and covers topics including respect, communication, diversity, gender equality and how to be an active bystander. At the end of the program, participants are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to engage with and recognise respectful relationships. RCC has been delivered to 900 students in Canberra and Adelaide, and has been externally evaluated by the University of Queensland.
  • Relationship Things: a respectful relationships program aimed at young people aged 14 to 18 that builds on lessons from RCC. Also aligned with best practice for primary prevention, Relationship Things covers topics including respect, relationships, communication, diversity, gender equality, respect in an online environment, safe sex and consent.
  • Relationship Things Online: an online respectful relationships resource for young people aged 14 to 18, that explores topics around respect, communication, gender equality, diversity, safe sex and consent. This resource uses interactive activities to get users thinking about their own values and identity, and how to engage in respectful relationships.

Domestic and family violence (D&FV) awareness introductory training provides participants with the knowledge, awareness, and skills about domestic and family violence in our community and its prevalence, nature and dynamics. Participants understand the gendered nature of D&FV and links to gender inequality. They also learn skills to recognise, respond and support someone who has been affected by D&FV.

The introductory package is delivered over three and a half hours, and there is an option to expand it to the intermediate level where professionals can learn about high-risk cases of D&FV, aspects of safety planning and workplace responsibilities on addressing and supporting employees/stakeholders affected by D&FV. The combined program (introductory and intermediate) takes six hours.

Upon completion of the package, participants will be able to:

  • understand the definition, forms, and dynamics of D&FV
  • understand gendered nature of D&FV
  • recognise signs of domestic violence, respond to D&FV and make referrals
  • learn about abuse through technology and tips for technology safety
  • understand basic elements of safety planning for D&FVsurvivors
  • understand organisational responsibilities to respond to employees impacted by D&FV.

To find out more, contact our team at pvaw@ywca-canberra.org.au