Our intensive two-day, CPD accredited training course equips frontline workers with a robust framework to guide client groups through the complexities of recovery from the trauma of sexual violence, fostering sustainable personal growth and improved life chances.
"I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become."
(Carl Jung)
The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that 2.3% of adults (3.3% women and 1.2% men) aged 16 years and over were victims of sexual assault (including attempts) in the year ending March 2022 survey; this equates to an estimated 1.1 million adults (798,000 women and 275,000 men)
Over the past four years, rape prosecutions in England and Wales have fallen by 70%.
Developed by Sue Penna, working in consultation with Cardiff SARC, the Sexual Violence Recovery Toolkit is an innovative, evidence-based group intervention whose underlying methodology is rooted in trauma-informed practice. This unique programme is proven to help women recover from the trauma they have experienced as a result of sexual violence.
Sexual Violence Recovery Toolkit Overview
The Sexual Violence Recovery Toolkit is a 12-week group programme that uses a trauma-informed approach to enable clients to move forward from the trauma of experiencing sexual violence. It supports participants to develop positive lifestyle coping strategies, restoring a sense of safety and enabling people to return to active citizenship.
The Toolkit sessions provide participants with an understanding of:
- The autonomic nervous systems response to fear and attack
- Perpetrators of sexual violence and how they target women
- Post traumatic stress – a normal trauma response to an adverse situation
- Anger and conflict – how to manage emotions without hurting ourselves
- Intimate relationships post disclosure
- Building healthy relationships and intimacy
- Guilt, shame and rebuilding self esteem
The Sexual Violence Recovery Toolkit is designed to be delivered only in the room.
Sexual Violence Recovery Toolkit Facilitator Training Overview
This course trains frontline workers to use our Sexual Violence Recovery Toolkit to facilitate programmes of transformational group work with women who have experienced sexual violence and/or abuse. The training course empowers delegates to provide high-quality, trauma-informed support that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of sexual violence survivors.
This training is suitable for professionals who work directly with women who have experienced adult sexual violence and managers of these services. The Toolkit is very straight forward to deliver to groups, so no previous experience of leading group work is required.
Key Learning Outcomes
The training course empowers delegates to provide high-quality, trauma-informed support that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of sexual violence survivors. It covers the following topics:
- Impact of sexual violence: Including the psychological, emotional, and behavioural impacts of sexual violence on survivors
- Impact of trauma: How trauma resulting from sexual violence influences individuals'
- Trauma-informed approaches: Understand principles and practices of developing resilience
- Neuroscience insights: Gain knowledge of latest neuroscience research in relation to trauma caused by sexual violence
- Group facilitation skills: Develop group facilitation techniques tailored to working with survivors of sexual violence
- Trauma-informed facilitation: How to lead groups with a trauma-sensitive approach using the exercises in the manual
Upon Successful Completion
Participants will receive:
- A license to deliver the adult programme
- A comprehensive manual for structured, effective sessions including facilitator guidance, weekly session plans and handouts
- Unlimited access to the online Rock Pool Delegate Zone which hosts a range of resources
- A 30% discount on first set of 15 participant journals
Rock Pool Trainers
This training will be delivered by one of the following sector experts whose experience in working in this area will bring genuine insight to the training room.
Research Findings
"The qualitative assessment demonstrates that the impact of the 12-week SV RTK programme has had a significantly positive impact on all seven participants and corroborates the results demonstrated in the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Post-Traumatic Stress Screening Tool. Participants overwhelmingly felt that the Toolkit helped them cope and manage with the trauma they have experienced also demonstrating a sustained change through them implementing the learning since the programme finished."
(Evaluation of the Sexual Violence Recovery Toolkit Pilot Delivered by Cardiff Sexual Assault Referral Centre)
Course Feedback
Feedback forms from 168 participants found that:
84% rated administration and enrolment as excellent or very good.
Across the core course areas, the average self-score of understanding increased from 7.57 out of 10 pre course to 9.17 out 10 post course.
93% said that they understand the principles and practices of trauma-informed approaches.
86% said that they understand how to successfully facilitate group work for adults.
75% said that the training will improve their ability to conduct their day job.
83% said they would inform others in their organisation about the content of the training.