Edinburgh Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre

We have drawn upon our experience and knowledge to develop high quality training courses for workers in other agencies who support or come into contact with survivors of sexual violence. We run regular multi-agency training courses in Edinburgh city centre which are listed below.

A one-day tailor made training course for up to 15 people costs £450 for voluntary and £650 for statutory organisations. We can tailor these to meet an agencies needs or interests, and can provide this training at your workplace or other venue. We have provided training to many agencies including: Scottish Women’s Aid, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Lothian and Borders Police and NHS Lothian Community Midwives. For further information please contact us on 0131 557 6737 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Awareness raising
New dates for 2010 to be confirmed

Who is the course for?
This one day training course is aimed at workers who are from the voluntary or statutory sectors who may come into contact with women who have experienced rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse.

What will the training cover?
This course looks at definitions of different aspects of sexual violence, the effects of sexual violence on survivors, dos and don’ts when responding to a disclosure and care for the carer.

By the end of the course participants will:
• Understand the definitions of rape and sexual abuse
• Have a deeper understanding of the prevalence of sexual violence and its effects on survivors
• Be able to support survivors with increased confidence when dealing with a disclosure
• Have increased knowledge of what a survivor might seek from a worker who is in a supportive role

"I have better knowledge and insight into survivors' processes and I will be able to provide better support to my clients"

"The whole course was very beneficial and informative"

Supporting survivors
New dates for 2010 to be confirmed

Who is the course for?
This one day training course is aimed at workers who have some knowledge and experience of working with survivors, who want to improve their support skills and increase their knowledge of the impact of sexual violence. It is recommended that participants have attended our awareness raising training course.

What will the training cover?
The training will refresh participants’ knowledge of the definitions and effects of sexual violence, look at vicarious traumatisation (the impact on workers) and cover useful support skills. The course aims to explore participants’ anxieties and the difficulties faced when they are disclosed to.

By the end of the course participants will have a deeper understanding of:
• Ways to support survivors sensitively and effectively
• The effects of sexual violence, including anxiety, panic attacks and the Rape Trauma Syndrome
• Coping mechanisms, in particular self-harm
• Vicarious traumatisation and appreciate a worker’s survival toolkit

Course fees:
Full-day course: £65 voluntary organisations, £85 statutory organisations (includes lunch)

Limited reduced cost places are available to organisations with limited funds.

SPECIAL OFFER - for each participant who books on two full-day courses, the discounted price is then: £120 voluntary and £150 statutory organisations.

Booking a place:
Complete the below booking form and return it to us (fax: 0131 558 1612 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Please note, an administration fee of £10 will be charged if you cancel your place before 10 working days of a course. If cancelled within 10 working days of the course full charges apply.

• Training booking form (44 kB)