Violence prevention group launches training course to spot the signs of intimate partner violence

A St. John's violence prevention group has begun offering free training to help people identify the signs of intimate partner violence, and what to do next.

The course, called Signal For Help, was created by the Canadian Women's Foundationand is being offered by Violence Prevention Avalon East with support from the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

"We took often think [this is] a private issue, when this is really a societal issue and something that we need to tackle altogether," said Olivia Lynch, Violence Prevention Avalon East's executive director.

In an interview this week, Lynch said the course setsinclusivity and collaboration as priorities.

"It's not something where people are coming in as a 'saviour' and trying to take somebody directly out of the situation or putting themselves in harm'sway," Lynch said.

"It's really just being a listening ear, and letting the person feel what they need to do is the best option. I always believe that people are experts in their own experiences and their stories, and it really does promote this ideology."

The seven-module course takes about an hourto complete, Lynch said, and provides context-specific tips for different scenarios and relationships.

It also highlights what intimate partner violence and gender-based violence could look like, and the signs to identify that it could be happening like changes in mood, isolation measures and signs of depression.

WATCH | Here's what a course on intimate partner violence warning signs is meant to do, says organizer:

Course offers ways to learn the signs of intimate partner violence

5 days ago

Duration 0:32

The Signal for Help mini-course helps people familiarize themselves with the indicators of intimate partner violence. Olivia Lynch, who is part of the non-profit that offers the free session, says it is meant to be a helpful tool and not a heavy-handed lecture.

Lynch said she sees the training as something accessible to everyone, including parents, students and government officials.

"I think it's really great to have this sort of knowledge broken down in such a way, especially when it comes to policy and decision making," she said.

"It can be really nuanced, so I think this course also really highlights that if you aren't sure that somebody is experiencing intimate partner violence, then here are really safe ways that you can approach a topic without coming right out."

The Signal for Help course is named for a silent, one-handed gesture that can be used to communicate a need for support in cases of someone experiencing intimate partner violence.

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