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. We have not finalised our 2012 training dates, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to be added to our training email list to receive information about our training courses. 

We also provide tailor made training courses for up to 15 people - these cost £200 per half day and £400 per full day, though we can offer reduced fees for services with limited training budgets. We can tailor these to meet an agency's 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 email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

FULL DAY COURSES:

Commercial sexual exploitation

What will the course cover?

It will look at different forms of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) including prostitution, pornography and trafficking. Explore the effects of CSE on survivors and its links with domestic abuse, sexual abuse, poverty and childhood sexual abuse.

By the end of the course participants will:

• Have greater awareness of the spectrum and prevalence of commercial sexual exploitation
• Have a deeper understanding of the effects of commercial sexual exploitation for survivors
• Have increased knowledge of what survivors might need from workers in a supportive role

Child sexual abuse (CSA)

What will the course cover?
It will look at the spectrum of CSA, grooming, the physical and psychological effects on survivors, myths and realities, dos and don’ts when responding to disclosures.

By the end of the course participants will:

• Understand the definition of child sexual abuse
• Have a deeper understanding of the prevalence of child sexual abuse and its effects on survivors
• Be able to support survivors with increased confidence when dealing with disclosures
• Have increased knowledge of what survivors might need from workers 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"

Rape and sexual assault

What will the course cover?
It will look at the spectrum of sexual violence, the physical & psychological effects on survivors including Rape Trauma Syndrome, societal attitudes, dos and don’t when responding to a disclosure.

By the end of the course participants will:

• Understand the definitions of rape and sexual assault
• 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 disclosure
• Have increased knowledge of what survivors might need from workers in a supportive role

Impacts on survivors

What will the course will cover?

It will look at self-harm as a coping mechanism, exploring the function/purpose of self-harm for many survivors. It will also explore the issue of suicide and working with survivors who have suicidal thoughts/feelings and how we can best support them. The afternoon session will look at the impacts of trauma on survivors, particularly PTSD and flashbacks, and how these can affect survivors’ lives.

By the end of the course participants will:

• Have a deeper understanding of the issue of self-harm and its function for survivors
• Have increased confidence when supporting survivors with suicidal thoughts/feelings
• Have a deeper understanding of the effects/impacts of trauma on survivors

Working with young women who have experienced sexual violence

What will the course cover?

It will look at the spectrum of sexual violence which affects young survivors, including sexual assault, sexual abuse and sexual bullying. The physical and psychological effects on young survivors and dos and don’ts when responding to disclosures.

By the end of the course participants will:

• Have a deeper understanding of the prevalence of sexual violence and its effects on young survivors
• Be able to support young survivors with increased confidence when dealing with disclosures
• Have increased knowledge of what survivors might need from workers in a supportive role

Course fees:

Full-day course: £60 per participant (includes lunch)

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

Booking a place:

Please complete the booking form below 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