Everything You Need to Know About a Career in Domestic and Family Violence Support Work

Domestic and family violence affects millions of people across the country each year and support work related to this sector is in high demand. The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Personal Safety Survey (2016) found that 2.2 million Australians had experienced physical and/or sexual abuse from a partner, and 3.6 million had experienced emotional abuse from a partner. 

The significant emotional, psychological and physical impacts of such violence means that affected individuals may require support in a variety of different ways and because of this, support work in this area can entail a wide array of things. Whether you go on to work in the areas of prevention of early intervention, emergency or crisis support, or counselling and rehabilitation, you can perform meaningful work as a Support Worker by actively improving the wellbeing of those affected by domestic or family violence by providing the nuanced support required. 

If you are looking for a rewarding career in an area which provides meaningful help and support to suviours and families affected by violence, our accredited Advanced Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence is the right course for you!

What skills should I possess?

Careers in the domestic and family violence sector require the following skills;

• Resilience – as the cases you work with can be confronting 
• Empathy and understanding
• Excellent communication skills
• Adaptability – as the sector is dynamic and constantly evolving 
• An understanding of interpersonal relationships and dynamics
• An understanding of the criminal justice system – specifically those areas which relate to domestic and family violence cases, trials and orders. 
• Understanding of the factors that give rise to family violence

Where can this take me?

The 2015 Royal Commission into Family and Domestic Violence in Victoria found that existing support services were overwhelmed by the sheer scale of demand for support from victims and families. As such, support workers who are specialised in this field are in high-demand and are highly sought after. 

Some of the most popular roles graduates of our Advanced Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence find themselves working in include;

• Crisis and trauma counselling

Counsellors play a key role in assisting the rehabilitation of victims and affected families by providing mental health support and care. 

• Case management

As a case worker, you will aid victims and affected families dealing with family violence in a varied range of ways. Case management can include sourcing emergency accommodation or shelter, connecting victims with wider support networks such as legal agencies, counselling services, child welfare services, and more.  

• Advocacy work

Advocacy work can focus on enhancing legal protections and access to legal services for victims to help them navigate the systems used in DV cases, or likewise, can relate to helping shape policy or policy reform in a governmental or NGO capacity. 

• Child and family intervention

Intervention work is crucial to targeting DV, with The Royal Commission into Family Violence in Victoria in 2015 finding that children who experience family violence can go on to be victims or perpetrators of violence later in life. As such, support work in the areas of prevention, early intervention or education can actively prevent the trauma of family violence being passed on to the next generation. 

• Community outreach support

Working in community outreach ensures that affected families have access to positive support networks when dealing with DV. Such networks are crucial to providing holistic support for victims, as DV cases can be incredibly isolating. Additionally, community outreach work often emphasises education which can be a crucial tool to recognising warning signs of DV and knowing what steps to take after this recognition. 

Study with Courses4Me

Courses4Me provides certified courses in a wide variety of disciplines which foster personal and professional growth and upskilling opportunities for our students.

Our Advanced Certificate in Domestic Violence Support is the perfect starting point to launch your career in the field! Our course consists of key modules in the areas of:

• Understanding methods of crisis intervention / Child and Adolescent Mental Health 
• Communication patterns in relationships / Counselling (Child and Family)
• Behavioural studies / Relationships and Communication 
• Ethical, professional and legal issues

This wide scope of practice ensures that our students gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex ways in which domestic and family violence can impact all aspects of life for victims and affected families. Upon completion of our course, students will be equipped with the necessary skills for work in a variety of roles within the DV sector and will be ready to launch into a rewarding and fulfilling career. 

If you are interested in working in this field, consider further supporting your education with our Community Mental Health Course. This will assist you to provide the best possible care to at-risk individuals, or those requiring mental health support – which are common throughout the DV sector.   

The Advanced Certificate in Domestic and Family Violence Support is also one of the courses which may be subsidised by our Scholarship Program. Four prospective students enrolling in an eligible course will have the full cost of their tuition covered by Courses4Me under our Scholarship Program for 2023. Eligibility criteria applies for applicants and program details can be found on our Scholarship page. 

For further information or enquiries about either our Advanced Certificate in Domestic Violence Support, or our Scholarship Program, give us a call on 1300 100 008, or send an email to: info@courses4me.com.au.