General workshop and student course on domestic violence
Duration: 60-90 min
I. Preparation prior to the workshop Workshop/student course
Use of materials from the IMPRODOVA training platform: www.training.improdova.eu: Introduction – Police as frontline responder to domestic violence
II. Workshop
Course content is based on a presentation and training materials
Workshop on stereotypes and unconscious biases
The workshop is based on the content and materials of Module 8.
I. Possible workshop concepts
- Half-day (4h) or full-day workshop (6-8h) according to need and focus
- Online or on-site workshops
- Individual trainer or mixed-gender trainer tandem (depending on the size of the group)
- Alternatively: Multi-level learning concept with short learning units with a mixture of learning content, videos, quizzes, and handouts for download
- Learning units can be sent to participants during or after workshops (e.g., at weekly intervals) to support learning transfer in the long term
II. Target groups
- Students
- Professionals
- Executives/Management
- Educators/Trainers
III. Methods
- Theoretical background
- Discussions
- Individual and group work
- Case studies
- Role plays
- Hand-outs
- (Online) Peer group meetings
- Audio-visuals (e.g., videos, movies, blogs, cartoons)
- Simulations
IV. Training materials
Literature
- Sondern, L., & Pfleiderer, B. (2020). Why the integration of sex and gender aspects will improve Domestic Violence Risk Assessment. European Law Enforcement Research Bulletin, (20), 155-165. Retrieved from https://bulletin.cepol.europa.eu/index.php/bulletin/article/view/413
Videos
- ‘Oppressed Majority’ on reversing gender roles: http://www.th-ink.co.uk/2014/02/13/short-french-film-reversing-gender-roles/
- ‘Submission’ by van Gogh: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq8–myC9nM
- ‘Illustrating gender’ project, animation videos based on the contributions of gender studies to the construction of gender: http://www.dibgen.com/index-en.html
Role plays
Role play: Perspective taking in domestic violence during a police intervention
For trainers:
- Each participant should assume their assigned role: Nicole (victim), Sebastian (partner), and Officer Miller.
- Participants should remain in character and respond based on their assigned role’s perspective.
- The role play should progress organically, with participants engaging in conversation and interactions based on the setting and scene provided.
What students should learn in this role play:
- Participants should understand the dynamics of domestic violence depending on the role and group they belong to.
- Participants should practice empathy and perspective taking as police officers.
Variants: Repeat the role play using different settings involving victims and/or perpetrators. This time, the victim is Sebastian, and the perpetrator is Nicole or Sebastian’s gay partner Nick.
Roles:
1. Victim of domestic violence: Nicole
2. Partner: Sebastian
3. Police officer: Officer Miller
Setting:
The police are called to an apartment because neighbours have reported a loud argument and things being thrown around. Nicole and Sebastian are present in the apartment.
Scene:
Officer Miller enters the apartment and assesses the situation with Nicole and Sebastian.
Officer Miller: Good evening, what seems to be the problem here?
Nicole: Officer, we were having an argument, and things got a bit out of hand. Everything is fine now.
Sebastian: It was just a heated argument and a few things got thrown around. Nothing to worry about.
Officer Miller: I understand that emotions can run high during arguments, but it’s important to maintain a safe environment. Which of you two threw the objects around?
Sebastian: It was me.
Officer Miller: Nicole, are you physically hurt? Did any of the thrown objects cause injuries?
Nicole: No, I’m fine.
Officer Miller: Sebastian, could you please explain what led to this argument and why things were thrown around?
Sebastian: We had a disagreement about visiting friends, and it escalated. I lost control, and I deeply regret it now.
How could the conversation continue at this point?
Tasks for reflection
1. How did it feel to play the role of Nicole, the victim of domestic violence in a heated argument? What emotions did you experience?
2. As Sebastian, the partner, how did it feel to take on the perspective of the perpetrator in this situation?
3. How did it feel to play the role of Officer Miller, a police officer responsible for addressing domestic violence in such a situation? Did you encounter any challenges in balancing empathy, maintaining professional boundaries, and ensuring everyone’s safety?
4. What did you learn from this role play about the importance of perspective taking and empathising with victims of domestic violence, especially in situations involving escalated arguments and potential physical harm?