Training & Resources

Our training and resources are based on our domestic abuse practice and academic research expertise. We offer a wide range of professionals from human and animal welfare services new and innovative training that is vital in terms of safeguarding all victim-survivors of domestic abuse – adults, children and animals.

Our training is facilitated by Mary our Founder and Chief Executive Officer with support from the team. We are also a member of The Links Group and often co-deliver training with our Links Group partners.

Mary Wakeham-Founder-Refuge4PetsDr Mary Wakeham, Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Mary has over 15 years practice experience working in the domestic abuse sector, including founding Refuge4Pets in 2017 driven by her passion to enable freedom from domestic abuse for all victim-survivors (people and animals). She is also an academic researcher with a specialism in the dynamics and implications of animal abuse in the context of domestic abuse, more specifically animal abuse as a strategy of coercive control.

Training Course:
Animal Abuse as a Strategy of Coercive Control: Safeguarding People and Animals
(Co-delivered with our Links Group partners)

This free training course aims to increase awareness about the dynamics and impact of animal abuse in the context of domestic abuse. The specific learning outcomes are:

  • To increase understanding about how and why perpetrators abuse animals.
  • To raise awareness about the implications of animal abuse in the context of domestic abuse for all victim-survivors – adults, children and animals.
  • To promote the importance of considering animals in the safety plans of families escaping domestic abuse and provide  practical tools and resources to do this.

What our attendees say:

  • “The training was fantastic and so great to see. I have never had training like this before so it would be incredible if we could see it being rolled out more widely.”
  • “This was brilliant training – I feel a lot more confident in approaching this prevalent issue.”
  • “I have completed the training before, however I really get a lot from revisiting your training and love that you are always updating and modifying the content to keep it current and evolving.”
  • “I just wanted to say a huge thank you for accommodating us as a group for the training, it was a really interesting session and a great space to be able to discuss some of the cases we come across.”

Next Training Sessions:

Friday 6th December 2024 from 10am to 12:30pm

Thursday 12th December 2024 from 10am to 12:30pm (this session is for animal welfare professionals/teams)

To book your place email info@refuge4pets.org.uk

Delivery
This training course is free and is delivered online via Microsoft Teams.

Participants will receive training materials and resources following the session which include a guidance document and officially adapted and approved Duluth Wheels (Power and Control Wheel and Abuse of Animals Wheel).

We can also offer bespoke training for organisations so please contact us on 0300 4000 121, or by emailing info@refuge4pets.org.uk to discuss your training requirements.

 

Resources

Pre-recorded webinars on a range of topics available on The Links Group website.

Adaption of the original Power and Control Wheel to include animals, approved by The Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs (TheDuluthModel.org). Wakeham, M. (2021)

Abuse of Animals Wheel, approved by The Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs (TheDuluthModel.org). Wakeham, M. (2021)

Research

Animal Abuse as a Strategy of Coercive Control, Wakeham, M. (2021)