Firearms are inherently lethal when combined with intimate partner violence (IPV). Victim advocates serve on the front lines of IPV and receive training on the basics of safety planning, risk assessment, and state and federal firearm laws. Yet, advocates do not receive specific training on how to discuss firearms with victims. This gap in knowledge leads advocates to feel uncomfortable and unlikely to address firearms with victims. Advocates note fears of offending victims, entering into a gun control debate and inadequate knowledge about firearms as common barriers to discussing firearms. The Advocacy for Firearm Awareness and Risk (AFAR) training seeks to provide advocates with specific knowledge and tools to improve their comfort in and likelihood of speaking about firearms with their clients. This training will focus on identifying and building competencies, understanding why firearm discussions are a must, and becoming mindful of how the advocate’s biases may be a barrier to a victim’s safety.
During Part 2 of this training, participants will learn the “How” of speaking with clients about firearms. This includes processing your own biases and barriers to having firearm safety conversations, how to approach the clients from a trauma informed lens regarding firearm safety and risk and how to build competencies in the area of firearm safety in intimate partner violence (IPV) situations.
Other Webinars with this Speaker:
- Sept 8: Advocacy for Firearm Awareness and Risk (AFAR): Improving the Victim Advocate Response: Rationale and Understanding laws (Part 1)
- Oct 11: Advocacy for Firearm Awareness and Risk (AFAR): Improving the Victim Advocate Response: Having the Conversation (Part 2) (this webinar)
This webinar was pre-approved for 1 CEU credit by the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP)® and the DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP). Founded in 1975, the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States and is the recognized leader in victim advocacy, education and credentialing. To learn more about NOVA, visit trynova.org.
