Rape and sexual assault professional development training and education

Yarrow Place, as part of the Youth and Women's Safety and Wellbeing Division of the Women's and Children's Health Network, provides training and education to a variety of stakeholders.

Our training and education programs provide staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to undertake work in the area of sexual violence, relationship violence and domestic and family violence. This includes providing training to diverse staff groups; facilitating coordination and cooperation in policy, planning and service delivery across government and non-government agencies.

As the lead public health unit responding to adult rape and sexual assault in South Australia, Yarrow Place provides training and education to other agencies and workers delivering services to people who have been raped or sexually assaulted. This includes providing training, information and support to workers in a range of occupations and co-working with other services, working to prevent rape and sexual assault.

Training and Education is offered in the following areas:

  • recognising and responding to disclosures of rape and sexual assault
  • medical service provision
  • counselling and therapeutic models of intervention
  • raising awareness of the health needs of young people in care
  • trauma-aware care and practice

We offer a range of training and education options – call the Yarrow Place Training and Community Engagement Program:

Phone: 1800 817 421
Email:  HealthYWSWTraining@sa.gov.au

Yarrow Place training philosophy

Yarrow Place training and education programs aim to provide individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to undertake work in the area of rape and sexual assault. It is expected that appropriately trained workers will contribute to improving access, equity and quality of service provision to victims / survivors, and as a result reduce the negative health impacts of rape and sexual assault.

The programs focus on victim’s rights and are therefore aimed at empowering people who have experienced rape or sexual assault through practices that promote client self-determination.

Yarrow Place acknowledges that in many instances, workers already possess the interpersonal and advocacy skills needed to do this, therefore facilitation is based on applying these skills in a rape and sexual assault context. Participants will be involved in exercises and activities that relate to their own work practices and experiences.

Courses offered

Recognise and Respond to Disclosures of Rape and Sexual Assault

This course will equip participants with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to provide appropriate responses to adults who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

Participants will be able to:

  • Understand the context in which rape and sexual assault occurs, particularly in the context of social values and attitudes that contribute to this issue.
  • Recognise and respond to the impact of rape and sexual assault on survivors, families and communities.
  • Practice responding skills and strategies.
  • Increase knowledge of local processes and services.

To enrol into Recognise and Respond to Disclosures of Rape and Sexual Assault, access the online booking form.

Looking Beyond Behaviour

Working with vulnerable adolescents experiencing developmental trauma and sexual violence (1 day)

This training provides the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary to respond to  adolescents who have been raped, sexually assaulted or experienced other forms of violence.

Participants will have a greater understanding of:

  • the neurobiology of trauma, emotional regulation, and therapeutic care;
  • how to assess client needs and match them to services available;
  • support the rights of clients through the implementation of practices which promote client self-determination.

To enrol in Looking Beyond Behaviour, access the online booking form.

Short Course in the Provision of Medical Care and Forensic Services to Adults who have been Raped or Sexually Assaulted

Clinical Forensic Medicine Training for Doctors (2 Days)

This is a practical course that provides participants with the skills required to provide a medical and forensic service to an adult sexual assault victim, and general clinical forensic medical skills that are transferable to many areas of medical practice. These include skill development in:

  • injury documentation and interpretation,
  • report writing and
  • giving expert evidence in court.

Medical care and forensic examination - Participants follow the cases of 2 sexual assault victims from identification, responding to a disclosure, to referral pathways, medical care, forensic examination, evidence collection, injury documentation and interpretation and the basics of writing a medico-legal report.

Expert witness training takes place in a courtroom in front of a judge and lawyers. Participants gain valuable practical experience in giving evidence in court and then completing the course with further case based discussions in the afternoon at Yarrow Place.

Forensic Nursing Training (1 day)

Responding to Sexual Assault

This workshop focuses on the wide range of health issues associated with the impacts of sexual assault and sexual assault in the context of domestic violence.

  • Identifying sexual assault
  • Responding to disclosures
  • Legal requirements
  • Risk assessment and safety planning
  • Trauma informed nursing

Cost:

  • Per person $240 + GST for 2 days (includes morning tea and lunch on first day)

40 (Category 1) RACGP points have been allocated for the training.

Violence has a major impact as a health issue. Patients are increasingly likely to talk with doctors about the effects of violence or sexual assault on their lives. Most people who seek medical care following sexual assault will not seek this care at a sexual assault service, but in other areas of medical practice such as general practice.

Yarrow Place has developed training to increase doctors’ knowledge and skills in providing services to people who have been sexually assaulted. The learning objectives are:

  • develop a management plan when responding to a disclosure of sexual assault
  • develop a list of resources and identify referral pathways
  • identify long-term impacts of sexual assault and how they may be managed in general practice
  • analyse an allegation of rape to determine the forensic evidence required and demonstrate packaging of evidence to ensure evidence is admissible in court
  • describe and document injuries and analyse injury causation
  • write an expert witness qualification statement, identify the components of a medico-legal report and observe/participate in expert witness testimony.

Forensic skills learned will be very useful and relevant to other areas of medical practice, such as medico-legal report writing, documenting physical assaults and providing evidence in court.

To register your interest please contact the Training Support Officer during office hours on 1800 817 421 or via HealthYWSWTraining@sa.gov.au.

Tailored training options

We offer single-session or layered professional development packages to support tailored workforce growth and development. Our staff work with organisations to develop custom projects to meet specific needs.

If you would like to explore how Yarrow Place can assist you please contact our Training Support Officer during office hours on 1800 817 421 or via HealthYWSWTraining@sa.gov.au.