Group of business people listening to business speech

At the heart of our work is a commitment to safety, dignity, and informed support for those experiencing domestic and family violence. Frontline workers are often the first point of contact for people in crisis – whether in healthcare, education, law enforcement, or social services. Equipping these professionals with the right knowledge and skills is essential to ensuring victims are heard, believed, and connected to the help they need. Our training and workshops are designed to build confidence and competence in recognising the signs of abuse, responding appropriately, and referring effectively. We focus on practical, trauma-informed approaches that prioritise survivor safety and autonomy.

Understanding the complexities of domestic violence – including coercive control, cultural dynamics, and barriers to leaving – is vital to breaking the cycle of abuse. With the right tools, frontline workers can make a real difference, providing not just immediate support, but also a path to long-term recovery and empowerment. By investing in education and awareness, we’re building a more responsive, compassionate, and safe community for everyone.

All workshops encourage active participation and subsidised fee workshops are available to qualifying applicants.

For more information:
P: 1800 324 924
E: info@catholiccaredbb.org.au

Interactive workshops & training

We engage communities and workplaces to effectively recognise and respond to domestic, family and sexual abuse. Training is tailored to specific needs and includes the following programs:

Men in a Support Group

ACTIVE BYSTANDER/UPSTANDER WORKSHOP

2 hour workshop

Designed for: Community groups, workplaces, universities, TAFE and more.

This workshop provides the tools and strategies to respond safely to everyday sexism, discriminatory jokes, and abusive situations. This training aligns with the Our Watch primary prevention framework.

Alternative young woman attending job interview

Intro to domestic, family & sexual abuse awareness & responding to disclosures workshop

2 & 4 hour workshop options available

Designed for: Services, community groups and workplaces.

An introductory workshop for services, community members and workplaces to identify the signs of abuse and how to respond appropriately. Information on appropriate supports and contacts provided.

Seasons for Growth for high schoolers blog

PROJECT RESPECT SCHOOLS PROGRAM

6 x 1 hour weekly workshops

Designed for: Secondary school students, teachers and student support staff

Workshops designed for young people aged 11 – 18 in schools and youth settings supporting the promotion of mental wellbeing, respectful relationships, domestic violence prevention, consent and boundaries. Content adjusted to age groups.

WORKPLACE TRAINING

We also provide tailored programs to upskill staff and management to create domestic abuse informed workplaces, and safe and responsive service delivery. Training is tailored to specific needs and includes:

Gemma

Recognise, respond and refer to domestic, family & sexual abuse

4 hour workshop

Designed for: workplaces

Tools and strategies for trauma informed case management including engagement, effective assessment, referral practice and safety planning. Information on appropriate supports and contacts provided.

Sad little child, boy, hugging his mother at home

Safety planning & effective use of safety tools

4 hour workshop

Designed for: frontline workers

Provides frontline workers with practical tools to identify client strengths, and assess and mitigate possible risks through personalised safety planning for the client and their family. The course will also cover worker boundaries and supported self-care.

Henrys Family

Safe from the start – listening to the voices of children

2 hour, 4 hour & full day workshops

Designed for: Early childhood educators, community workers, teachers, foster carers & child focused services.

Introduction to the impact on children experiencing family and domestic abuse. This workshop builds workers’ awareness and skills to recognise, respond and refer families to appropriate services. This workshop supports the development of domestic abuse informed workplaces. Information on appropriate supports and contacts provided.

Sad little boy being hugged by his mother at home. Parenthood, Love and togetherness concept.

Working with CALD communities experiencing domestic, family & sexual abuse

Part #1 is a 4 hour workshop

Designed for case workers seeking to upskills their work with culturally & linguistically diverse (CALD) communities experiencing domestic and family abuse. This can be delivered as either a full day or 2 x 4 hour workshops.

This workshop immerses participants in the settlement journeys of recently arrived migrants, refugees and humanitarian community members on the Central Coast. It covers local statics and demographics, and the challenges and possible restrictions of accessing services. The course includes training on how to access and use interpreters effectively.

Part #2 is a 4 hour workshop

This workshop builds confidence of case workers to effectively engage and assess individuals and families through culturally sensitive best practice. Through a series of case studies, we explore the fears and trepidations of living in a new country while experiencing domestic and family abuse.

video thumbnail Lindara Networking

SAFE & TOGETHER Accredited Training

4 day core training with course certification

Designed for: Frontline community service workers.

The Safe & Together Core training promotes a domestic abuse-informed systems change. It provides evidence-informed training, practical tools, and implementation support grounded in the Safe & Together Model. This model is child-centred, survivor-strengths, perpetrator accountable framework for working with families where domestic abuse is present.

Frequently asked questions

I am not Catholic, can I still access your training?

Yes, these programs are open to all. This suite of training is based on findings and best practice in the domestic and family violence space.

Is there a cost for the training?

Yes, and this will depend on the location of the training delivery and the training requested.

Where does this training take place?

We can run the training at your workplace or other location that is convenient to the participants. Travel costs may incur for areas outside the Central Coast region. When we receive enquiries, we share a checklist of requirements for a suitable training space.

What sort of training do the facilitators have?

Yes definitely! Our facilitators have over 45 years’ experience in the response, early intervention and primary prevention space. Our facilitators are also certified in training delivery so you can be assured an excellent experience.

What is the minimum and maximum numbers of attendees required/allowed?

We recommend a minimum of 8 and maximum of 20 participants.

Do we need to supply anything?

A pen and notebook and drinking water if you’d like to.

Do participants receive any resources?

A resource pack is provided to all participants.

What happens if we need to cancel?

Within 48 hours’ notice you may incur a small administration fee. One weeks’ notice will not incur a fee.  Please call us to discuss your options.

Latest News

Creating space for safety this International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (8 March) is an opportunity to reflect on the realities women face, and the responsibility we share to remove the barriers that prevent safety, recovery and long-term wellbeing.

Read More

Thinking outside-the-box to house families in crisis

Housing a family in crisis presents many challenges. Read how two families in Sydney cope after escaping domestic violence.

Read More

Davika emerges from a web of violence

As they grew up, the two friends went their separate ways. Davika had settled into life as a single mum in India, and Priyanka had moved to Australia to marry an Australian man. Life, as Davika knew it, changed forever when Priyanka returned to India for a holiday with her husband and her husband’s Australian brother, Steve.

Read More

Gemma survives financial abuse

For Gemma, aged 35, her $26,000 debt didn’t accrue overnight. Gemma’s debt was the culmination of years of financial abuse, coercion, bullying and betrayal.

Read More