Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Training in Virginia (Audio Only)

The National Domestic Violence Hotline reports that “Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by a partner and report a related impact on their functioning.” In October 2014, the Huffington Post reported: “The number of American troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq between 2001 and 2012 was 6,488. The number of American women who were murdered by current or ex male partners during that time was 11,766. That’s nearly double the amount of casualties lost during war. Women are much more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence with 85 percent of domestic abuse victims being women and 15 percent men. Too many women have been held captive by domestic violence — whether through physical abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse or a combination of all three.” 

Using Virginia law as a base, this program is intended to help attorneys and non-attorneys recognize first of all how difficult it is for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault to come forward and take any measures to protect themselves. Second, the program will set forth the common sense steps, as well as the legal steps, using Virginia law examples, that an advocate should take in assisting victims of sexual assault or domestic violence. Third, for those victims willing to take action on their own, it will cover what measures should be employed. Fourth the program will compare the criminal process to the civil process with regard to available remedies. Finally, the program also will feature some advice on the general prevention of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Recognize the difficulty that victims of sexual assault and domestic violence have in seeking legal help and other remedies
2. Learn both the common sense and legal steps that a victim, or an advocate for a victim, should take through real life examples
3. Understand how the criminal justice system differs from civil actions and family law matters
4. Learn how to be an advocate and learn measures to prevent sexual assault and domestic violence

Note: This course is approved for GAL for children in Virginia. If you would like a GAL certificate, please email our Customer Support team after completing the course.