As we approach our 25th year of providing support, preventing violence and promoting justice for victims of crime and abuse, their families and communities, we are proud to present an informative series of trainings and workshops led by accomplished experts in the non-profit social services field. Our training program draws from Safe Horizon’s experience working with approximately 350,000 clients yearly, in over 100 programs, throughout 85 sites, across New York City. We teach how Safe Horizon’s professional, caring staff actually responds to these issues, day-in and day-out. When you ask questions, you get practical answers. Choose from among the over 15 course offerings listed here or tailor training specifically to the needs of your staff through our customized training program. To learn more about our customized training please call 1 (347) 328-8085. Domestic Violence I: An Introductory Course It is estimated that every 12 seconds a woman is beaten in this country and that the majority of female homicides are at the hands of an intimate partner. Domestic violence is labeled the largest human rights violation affecting women and girls globally. This course will create a solid knowledge base from which professionals may build their work with domestic violence victims. Definitions and dynamics of intimate violence, myths, cultural biases and helping strategies will be explored in this full day training. Date: February 4 or May 6 (One Full Day) Presenter: Melinda Blaise Domestic Violence II: The Effects of Trauma upon Victims of Domestic Violence "The life blood of the battered women’s movement is the battered woman. In all aspects of our work, accountability to battered women is a must. Accountability means seeing our work not as part of a social service to change battered women's lives, but as part of a movement led by battered women to change all women's lives". This advanced course is intended for helping professionals who work directly with battered women and have a solid understanding regarding the basic concepts of domestic violence. In this training, the effects of domestic violence on victims will be explored, specifically identifying trauma symptoms common to survivors. Date: February 18 or May 20 (One Full Day) Presenter: Kristen Illes Domestic Violence III: The Relationship between Domestic Violence & Substance Abuse It has been well documented that some form of substance abuse affects approximately 80% of all persons living with domestic violence. Both domestic violence and substance abuse are cyclical and progressive in nature and will escalate in severity without intervention. Additionally, both of these issues affect all aspects of a person's life: one's friends, family, job and future happiness. This training will explore the many myths regarding substance abuse by the batterer, the victim, or both and discuss the complex relationship between these two critical and complicated issues. Date: February 25 or May 27 (One Full Day) Presenter: Kristen Illes New: Domestic Violence IV: The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children The reality is that children outnumber women in domestic violence shelters. Knowledge regarding the problems facing these children is essential in developing intervention strategies. Learn about the common reactions to witnessing violence and how it impacts a child developmentally, behaviorally, and socially. If you work with adult domestic violence victims with children, adults who witnessed domestic violence as children or children affected by intimate violence this course is for you! Date: March 11 or June 10 (One Full Day) Presenter: Tisa Joyner Nance Domestic Violence V: The Criminal Justice System’s Response The criminal justice system is often accessed by battered women for assistance. It is vital for helping professionals to understand this system in order to ensure victims’ successful navigation within it. This training will provide general information about the NYPD’s policies and options available through criminal and family courts. Advocacy skills will be discussed and practiced. Date: March 18 or June 17 (One Full Day) Presenters: Maureen Curtis and Elizabeth Bliss Domestic Violence VI: Housing Options Many domestic violence victims identify affordable, safe housing as a primary need to help them escape the violence in their homes. This training will provide important information about subsidized housing options available to domestic violence victims. New York City Housing Authority, Section 8, Jiggetts application and the transfer process will be explored, as well as, the procedures and criteria for eligibility. Participants will learn how to empower clients as they navigate the oftentimes-complicated housing system. Date: March 25 or June 24 Presenters: Maureen Curtis and Elizabeth Bliss Child Abuse I Child abuse assessment is one of the most difficult responsibilities for professionals. Our training aims to support mandated reporters and provide clarification around identification and reporting. Trainees will learn to define child abuse and neglect; recognize behavioral and physical indicators of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect; understand the impact of abuse and neglect on developmental stages; report to the proper authorities and how to follow-up without compromising the relationship built with a client. The training will also help participants manage anxiety raised by reporting child abuse and maltreatment. New York State Certification is available for eligible professionals. Date: February 7, March 7, April 10, May 19, or June 5 (One Full Day) Presenter: Tisa Joyner Nance Childhood Sexual Abuse The sexual abuse of children, once considered extremely rare, has become prominent both in the media and in national crime statistics. In fact, most sexual assaults handled by law enforcement agencies are against juvenile victims (67%), and one of every seven victims is under the age of 6. This course will help you gain a clear understanding of what child sexual abuse is and isn't. You will explore the dynamics of child sexual abuse and how the "conspiracy of silence", and society's assumptions, may screen this abuse from view. Through an interactive approach, this course will clarify your role in addressing child sexual abuse. The training will emphasize identification and assessment skill building and will provide practical tools, including signs and symptoms’ checklists and up-to-date victim/offender profiles, for use at your work site. Date: March 13 or April 29 (One Full Day) Presenters: Denise Briales and Tisa Joyner Nance Working with Adult Survivors of Incest It is estimated that 1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 4 boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18. Due to powerful reasons: fear, silence, shame, and lack of support, many children progress onto adulthood without receiving help in coping with and recovering from the damaging effects of incest. This course will explore the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse, as well as, common coping strategies used by adult survivors. This course will also identify effective intervention strategies and discuss the issue of vicarious trauma and self-care. Date: March 27 or May 29 (One Full Day) Presenters: Michele Vigeant and Nicole Johnson Sexual Assault Every two minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted. Survivors of sexual assault benefit from knowledgeable helping professionals offering support and assistance in the wake of this crime. In this course you will learn about the psychological impact of rape and the unique trauma reactions of survivors. Participants will also receive an overview of the medical and legal systems’ interventions, in addition, to a discussion of helping techniques. Date: April 30 (One Full Day) Presenters: Michele Vigeant and Nicole Johnson Elder Abuse: The Overlooked Victims 1/2 million older persons experience abuse or neglect annually and 9 out of 10 perpetrators are family members. This course will explore the crime of elder abuse. Participants will learn about elder abuse and the various indicators of abuse. Special considerations, such as, the effects of the aging process, societal bias, interviewing skills, in addition to, identifying referral sources, and available resources will be reviewed. Date: March 14 (One Full Day) Presenter: Brenda Ford Working with Refugees & Survivors of Torture For many generations, New York City has been a destination for people from all over the world. Individuals come to this country in search of a new life and the freedom to express themselves without detrimental consequences. Often they have been persecuted or tortured for their beliefs and political opinions. Adjusting to life in NYC presents many challenges that may be exacerbated by previous trauma, and service providers need to be equipped with the proper helping tools. This training will serve as an introduction to the refugee experience and the plight of survivors. Date: June 16 (One Full Day) Presenter: Ernie Duff Working with Survivors of Homicide Victims The effects of the murder of a loved one leave survivors victimized physically, emotionally, financially, socially, and spiritually. Losing a loved one at the hands of another person is devastating and may be harder to accept than a loss due to illness or an accident. For survivors there are no immediate answers that bring understanding or relief. As caregivers, we can help the survivor to rebuild trust by creating a safe environment for the journey of grief. Participants will explore issues around complicated grief and trauma including intervention strategies and resources. Date: April 22 (One Full Day) Presenters: Avianca Hansen and Vilma Torres The Dynamics of Stalking Stalking affects 1.4 million women and 500,000 men every year. This crime is often paired with complicated victimization issues. This training will provide an opportunity for helping professionals to learn how to assist and counsel stalking victims. You will learn how to conceptualize the issues surrounding stalking, and to use this information to be a more effective advocate and counselor for your clients. Areas to be covered include: Identification, Legalities, Advocacy, Safety Issues, Types of Stalking and Trauma Reactions. Date: March 24 or April 21 (One Full Day) Presenter: Anick Forcier New: Suicide Prevention I Through interactive case presentation, participants will learn how to determine level of risk, engage potentially suicidal clients, provide suicide crisis intervention and document interventions. We will explore risk factors and intervention strategies for a wide range for populations including crime victims, victims of abuse, youth and the elderly. Guided by Safe Horizon’s suicide prevention protocol, this training will equip participants to assess and assist potentially suicidal clients. Date: February 21, March 17, April 14 or May 1 Presenters: Janet Loflin Lee Workplace Diversity - "Building Bridges to Understanding" In a non-confrontational format, professionals will have the opportunity to explore the following dimensions of diversity: Knowledge, Understanding, Acceptance and Respect. As a result of this training, employees will be able to: limit the influence of stereotypes, gather accurate data about differences, transform knowledge into awareness and empathy, increase tolerance and value differences, become aware of the impact of behavior on co-workers, as well as, increase overall effectiveness of client services. Date: February 14 or June 23 (One Full Day) Presenter: Tisa Joyner Nance New: Dealing Effectively with Anger By exploring different styles of anger management and conflict mediation, this course offers service providers an opportunity to understand how to help angry clients and cope with the difficulties that arise while working with them. Professionals are encouraged to become more aware of their habitual responses to anger and personal styles of dealing with conflict so they can avoid slipping into these postures and be more objective in identifying client’s needs despite strong emotions. Skill building will include focus on language and behaviors that minimize conflict and maximize identifying and meeting goals in the best interest of the client. Date: March 19 (One Full Day) Presenter: Javier Diaz Vicarious Trauma: When Listening Starts to Hurt Feeling tired, burnt-out, sad, and angry? Working with victims can be challenging and often caring professionals do not take the time to care for themselves. This training course will explore the dynamics surrounding vicarious trauma and validates the notion that ongoing work with individuals in crisis can create specific psychological challenges. We will highlight some of the major hurdles associated with victim advocacy and discuss how to reap the benefits of client contact without suffering personal tolls. Date: April 15 (One Full Day) Presenter: Melinda Blaise How to Register for Training Courses Trainer Biographies Back to Top