Integrated Frontline Response to victims / survivors of violence
A blended learning multidisciplinary training programme designed to equip frontline practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to respond effectively and compassionately when they are the first point of contact for individuals affected by violence.
The course strengthens understanding of the dynamics of violence, enhances awareness of referral pathways, and develops practical competence in evidence gathering and victim‑centred communication.
This work was supported by the Medical Research Council (UKRI162)
| Start date | 18 November 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Days and times | 09:00 - 17:00 | |
| Fee | £100 |
Who it’s for
This course is designed for professionals who may encounter victims of violence in the earliest stages of disclosure or presentation, including:
- Frontline police officers and police staff supporting survivors
- Emergency care physicians, nurses, and advocates
- Dentists, dental therapists, and dental hygienists
- General practitioners and practice nurses
- Community nurses
- Third‑sector advocates and support workers
What you’ll learn
Participants will:
- Develop a deeper understanding of the nature, patterns, and impact of violence.
- Build confidence in providing informed, sensitive, and appropriate first‑line support.
- Strengthen knowledge of local and national referral pathways and available services.
- Gain practical skills in gathering, documenting, and storing evidence in a trauma‑informed manner.
- Enhance their ability to communicate effectively with survivors, including those from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Understand how early intervention and safeguarding can reduce the risk of escalating harm.
The overarching aim is to ensure that every victim of violence receives appropriate care and support from the first professional they encounter.
Topics covered
The course emphasises the critical role of frontline practitioners in recognising, responding to, and documenting violence. Core topics include:
- The trajectory of violence, including how serious injury or homicide is often preceded by less severe incidents, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
- Opportunities for early identification across a range of clinical and community settings, regardless of whether visible injuries are present.
- The importance of survivor disclosure, including how to ask questions, build trust, and take action when required.
- The role of evidence collection in safeguarding, criminal justice processes, and survivor support, including challenges in documenting injuries on darker skin tones.
- Understanding the limits of one’s own expertise and the value of timely referral to specialist services, advocates, and organisations.
- The importance of accurate, single‑event information gathering to reduce retraumatisation and avoid survivors feeling processed or unheard.
Pre‑Course Learning (3 hours)
Participants will complete a structured eLearning package prior to the face‑to‑face session. This includes:
- Expert‑led lectures introducing key concepts
- Testimony from individuals with lived experience of violence
- Reflective questions to support deeper learning
- A short preparatory task
All materials are available for six weeks before and six weeks after the in‑person training day.
Face‑to‑Face (7 hours)
Time | Content |
08:30-09:00 | Registration |
09:00 | Welcome and introduction |
09:10 – 09:55 | What does violence look like? |
09:55 - 10:40 | Referral networks |
10.40-11.10 | Break |
11:10 – 11:55 | Documenting and storing the evidence |
11:55 – 12.40 | Victims |
12: 40 - 13:25 | Lunch |
13:25 – 14:10 | Diversity and ethnicity |
14:10- 14:55 | Workshop rotations: Group 1: Expert witness testimony, providing evidence in court Group 2: recording the evidence: taking photos, who, how, and where? Group 3: communicating with victims of violence |
14:55– 15:15 | Break |
15:15 –16:00 | Workshop rotations: Group 1: Expert witness testimony, providing evidence in court Group 2: recording the evidence: taking photos, who, how, and where? Group 3: communicating with victims of violence |
16:00 - 16:45 | Workshop rotations: Group 1: Expert witness testimony, providing evidence in court Group 2: recording the evidence: taking photos, who, how, and where? Group 3: communicating with victims of violence |
16:45 - 17:00 | Close and feedback |
Benefits
- Participants gain practical, evidence‑based skills directly applicable to frontline practice.
- The blended learning model supports flexible preparation and maximises the value of in‑person time.
Key Features
- Blended learning approach — Self‑paced eLearning combined with a practical, multidisciplinary face‑to‑face session.
- Aligned with current UK practice — Content reflects contemporary clinical guidance and national standards.
- Enhanced understanding of victim experience —Lived‑experience insights and guided reflection strengthen trauma‑informed practice.
- Practical skills for frontline support — Clear guidance on referral pathways, communication, and early intervention.
- Hands‑on evidence handling — Practical exercises build confidence in evidence preservation, storage, and presentation, including how to explain these processes sensitively to survivors.
Advisory Group and Contributors
This Continuing Professional Development programme has been developed through a process of co-production, bringing together people with lived experience of violence and abuse, frontline practitioners, safeguarding specialists, healthcare professionals, researchers, and forensic experts. Public contributors have played a central role in shaping the course content, ensuring that victim and survivor perspectives remain at the heart of the learning experience and informing how evidence, safeguarding, and trauma-informed responses are presented throughout the programme.
Public Contributors
Individuals with lived experience of violence and abuse have made a significant contribution to the development of this programme. Their insights have helped shape course content, learning outcomes, and practical applications, ensuring that the training remains grounded in the realities faced by victims and survivors and reflects what matters most to those accessing services and support.
Jan Pickles OBE
Jan Pickles OBE is an independent safeguarding consultant and qualified social worker with extensive experience across social care, policing, government, health, and the voluntary sector. Throughout her career, she has played a leading role in developing and improving multi-agency responses to domestic abuse, sexual violence, child protection, and safeguarding.
Jan is widely recognised for leading the development of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) model, which transformed the way agencies work together to improve safety outcomes for adults and children experiencing domestic and sexual violence and abuse across the UK. She also co-authored the nationally adopted DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment) Risk Identification Checklist.
Liana Hill MSc, RN, RSCN, FNE, SANE-A, SANE-P
Liana Hill is an internationally recognised forensic nurse and Forensic Nurse Program Director for Crisis Services of North Alabama (CSNA). She leads multidisciplinary services supporting victims of violence and abuse and provides specialist medico-legal examinations for children and adults through the Brooks' Place Child Advocacy Center.
A pioneer in forensic nursing practice, Liana established Alabama's first Domestic Violence Nurse Examiner Programme and has played a key role in expanding forensic healthcare services to include child physical abuse, strangulation, elder abuse, and forensic examinations that support both healthcare and criminal justice processes. She is a highly respected educator, international speaker, and leader in the advancement of forensic nursing education and standards.
Dr Anna Sydor is Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at Cardiff University's School of Healthcare Sciences. A registered nurse, registered midwife, and qualified sexual health practitioner, she has extensive experience in healthcare education, research, and postgraduate supervision.
Her research focuses on women's health across the life course, particularly the health impacts of coercive control, domestic abuse, and violence. As a collaborator within Cardiff University's Violence Research Group, Anna's work seeks to improve professional practice and strengthen evidence-based responses to violence, vulnerability, and health inequalities.
Professor Simon Moore is Professor of Public Health Research at Cardiff University, Co-Director of the Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute, and Director of the Violence Research Group.
His research examines the causes and prevention of violence, substance use, and related harms through the integration of public health, psychology, criminology, data science, and economics. He has led numerous large-scale research programmes focused on violence prevention, safeguarding, and population health, working closely with policymakers and frontline services to translate evidence into practice.
Vicky Lee
Vicky Lee is a Violence Prevention Advocate with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and was instrumental in establishing Wales' first hospital-based violence prevention team within an emergency department setting.
Her work focuses on safeguarding, domestic abuse, violence prevention, and trauma-informed care. She has extensive experience in risk assessment, service development, and partnership working, and is committed to improving outcomes for people affected by violence and vulnerability through early intervention and person-centred support.
Dr Sam Evans PhD, MPhil
Dr Sam Evans is Chief Clinical and Forensic Photographer at Cardiff University's School of Dentistry and an internationally recognised expert in forensic imaging.
His specialist expertise includes the documentation, analysis, and interpretation of injuries using advanced forensic imaging technologies, including 3D imaging, cross-polarised photography, ultraviolet and infrared imaging, and image enhancement techniques. He is particularly recognised for his work on bruising assessment, patterned injuries, and the development of forensic imaging standards used in healthcare, safeguarding, and criminal justice contexts.
Chrissie Nicholls
Chrissie Nicholls is a researcher, consultant, and strategic leader specialising in violence against women and girls, domestic abuse, sexual violence, safeguarding, and organisational development.
With more than 20 years of experience across the public and third sectors, she has supported charities, local authorities, and community organisations to strengthen services, governance, and strategic delivery. Her work focuses on developing evidence-informed, trauma-informed approaches that improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities affected by violence and abuse.
