Training and Prevention

Our training is discussion-based and aims to support professionals in a safe way to engage with the lived realities of sexual violence for survivors. We understand that, in any training group, there will likely be survivors of sexual violence in the room, and we take our responsibility to be trauma-informed very seriously. All of our trainers have experience in frontline practice, and we make ourselves available to support anyone who might want a confidential place to talk before, during, or after our training.

We can deliver training in-person (within London) or online (internationally). For up to 16 professionals in-person, and up to 15 professionals online. Our webinars can accommodate up to 100 professionals

Please see a list of our standard training options below, and contact us if you’d like to discuss designing something bespoke. To find out more, or to book training or prevention for your organisation, please email training.manager@rasasc.org.uk.

Understanding and Responding to Sexual Violence.

This full-day, CPD-certified training programme is suitable for any organisation which might come into contact with sexual violence as part of their work. We will cover myths and realities surrounding sexual violence and the effect these can have for survivors, what the law says, impacts and responses to sexual violence, and our best-practice model for responding to disclosures and supporting survivors of sexual violence, including where to signpost survivors for specialist support.

Key Principles in Responding to Sexual Violence (Half Day). This shorter version of our full-day course will cover myths and realities around sexual violence, basic legal definitions with a focus on consent, and key principles of our best practice model for responding to disclosures and supporting survivors.

Understanding and Responding to Young People’s Lived Experiences of Sexual Violence (Full Day or Half Day). This training is appropriate for youth professionals, and will introduce our model of best practice for supporting survivors, with a focus on developing an awareness of young people’s lived experiences of sexual violence. We will explore the dynamics of image-based sexual abuse as well as RASASC’s key principles for delivering effective sexual violence prevention work with young people.

Awareness Briefings/Webinars (90-120 minutes). These sessions are appropriate for organisations looking for an introduction to sexual violence or to our work. Our awareness briefings or webinars might cover key definitions and concepts related to sexual violence and support services, or could have a more specific focus, depending on your organisation’s context and needs.

We understand that, in any group of young people there will be survivors of sexual violence, so we are trauma-informed in our delivery, and our team are specially trained to receive and escalate any safeguarding disclosures. We also understand that schools and youth settings have unique and distinct cultures, and that a ‘one-size fits all’ approach does not work with young people.

We deliver workshops to up to 30 young people at a time. Our workshops aim to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for young people to explore their views and experiences, whilst gently challenging myths and harmful attitudes. We do not lecture young people or tell them what to do.

Please contact us to discuss how we can best support the young people you work

Free prevention workshops:

We believe that young people need safe spaces to talk openly and honestly about topics like sexual violence and consent. We also believe in primary prevention and know that opening up conversations with young people about these topics, as well as things like respectful relationships and social media can empower them to challenge the attitudes and beliefs that support sexual violence in the first place. With this in mind we have developed a series of workshops for young people which complement the statutory RSHE curriculum and are aimed exploring these topics in a safe and age appropriate way.

Topics we can explore include: gender stereotypes, respectful relationships, body image and the media, image based sexual abuse, pornography, consent, and sexual harassment.

We are able to deliver contained, one-off workshops, or can work with a group of young people over longer period, exploring a different topic each week and building on prior learning. We can also support young people to design their own social actions or campaigns around issues relating to sexual violence in their schools or communities.

Training for teachers and staff:

We can offer specialist training for teachers, school staff, and other youth professionals aimed at understanding young people’s lived experiences of sexual violence, having supportive conversations with young people about sexual violence, and developing an effective whole-school approach to prevention.