DkIT RiVeR Project

"I found I had a big gap in my knowledge regarding domestic abuse which became very obvious when I left the hospital to work in the community. I chose to complete the Fundamentals of understanding and responding to Domestic Abuse programme in DkIT after I discovered I had an active case of Domestic Abuse on my caseload. I felt out of my depth and wanted to be better prepared to offer help. The programme gave me an insight into the context of domestic abuse and how it impacts the victim and the whole family. "

"This programme has really changed my perception of Domestic Abuse. It is only after completing the programme that I now understand that there are a multiplicity of complex reasons why a victim stays in an abusive relationship. The programme has provided me with many insights which I can now use in my role as a midwife to better support victims of Domestic Abuse."

"I would say that taking part in the Domestic Abuse programme at DkIT enabled me to view our clients and the work that we do with them, from a much wider perspective. The theories and academic content introduced were hugely enlightening, with lots of "aha" moments. But I also learned so much from sharing the experiences and different viewpoints of my classmates."

"I completed the level 8 “Certificate in the Fundamentals of Understanding and Responding to Domestic Abuse” with the DKIT in 2021/2022. I found the course to be excellent, with a wide variety of lecturers covering the broad and complex issues relating to domestic abuse. The course schedule complimented my busy job as well which was very helpful and meant I rarely missed a lecture. From a networking point, I met fellow frontline professionals working in domestic abuse from many different working backgrounds and still keep in touch with in my day to day work today. As CEO of a domestic abuse NGO, we offer the course to all our team to undertake as part of our team training strategy. An excellent course which I highly regard and am thankful it is available to frontline professionals as we all work towards tackling domestic abuse in Ireland.”

“The in-depth knowledge and hands on experience of the trainers gave a wide perspective and enriching experience to bring to anybody working in the area of domestic abuse and violence. I highly recommend the ‘Certificate in the Fundamentals of Understanding and Responding to Domestic Abuse’ programme to enhance and inform practice.”

"Having completed the Fundamentals of Understanding and Responding to Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence, it has made a massive impact on my work. The course allows for different services and service providers to share knowledge and creates professional relationships that can positively impact service users. I thoroughly enjoyed the course as it allowed me to expand my understanding of DSGBV and how it impacts on every aspect of a person's life and how it dictates how they engage with services. The course was very enjoyable, and all the lecturers were so helpful and insightful. I would highly recommend the course and look forward to more training that the RiVeR Project develops."

"I really enjoyed doing the Certificate in the Fundamentals of Understanding and Responding to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence programme. It has given me a great insight into DSGBV. Throughout the programme I could see how I could use the information and the knowledge that was being taught in my work. I found that with the wide range of lectures from different areas of work this showed me how complex and eye-opening DSGBV can be. As well as the lecturers I have met people in my course who have taught me so much. I loved attending DkIT and listening about what my lecturers and my classmate’s do for work and how knowledgeable they are about their fields of work. Overall, it’s been a brilliant course and great for any frontline worker to take part in as I feel like I can use the skills I’ve learned in my day-to-day duties"

“Completing the course on ‘Understanding and Responding to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence’ was truly eye-opening. It deepened my understanding of the complexities surrounding these issues and equipped me with practical skills to recognise, support and advocate for survivors. The course provided a safe and engaging space to reflect on real-world cases, challenge biases and learn trauma-informed approaches. I now feel more confident in my ability to respond with empathy and take meaningful action in my personal and professional life. I highly recommend this course to anyone committed to making a difference.”