After the success of the first in-person J9 training session last month in Ruddington, Ruth Edwards MP is holding another free training course in East Leake to help communities support survivors of domestic violence.
The next session is at 18:00 on Friday 25th March in the East Leake Baptist Church.
The courses are open to anyone who’s job is public facing.
Previous attendees have included people who work in local pubs, shops, local churches, council offices, schools and doctors surgeries.
The course is called J9 in memory of Janine Mundy, a mother of two, who was killed by her estranged husband whilst he was on police bail. Janine used to sign off her text messages ‘J9’.
In her memory, the J9 initiative opens doors to support and creates a network of safe places for survivors of abuse to go and get help.
J9 training is delivered by Nicola Brindley MBE who has already rolled it out across many job centres in the East Midlands.
It is also supported by Rushcliffe Police and Rushcliffe Borough Council. Attendees of the free sessions are trained to spot signs of domestic abuse and taken through how to talk to survivors who might approach them.
They are also shown how to connect survivors with local professional services who can provide help.
Across the country, many areas have a network of J9 signs, identifying safe spaces where survivors of domestic abuse can seek help. Ruth has been working with Nicola Brindley to make sure that those safe spaces exist across Rushcliffe too.
Ruth said: “Last month’s session was a huge success. It is my hope that we can build upon the impact that we have started to make and fill Rushcliffe with safe spaces.
Many of those who suffer from domestic abuse find their daily movements controlled to the point where they are not allowed to go anywhere without their abuser’s permission. That is why it is so important to get as many public facing places as possible to become a safe space for victims, to give them the greatest chance of being able to talk to someone who can help them.
The J9 training is completely free and gives people the necessary skills and information to be able to give those who are experiencing domestic abuse the best possible help, even if that is just recognising that a sufferer of abuse might need to use your phone.”
Cllr Matt Barney, who’s County Council Ward includes both Ruddington and East Leake said:
“My wife and I were pleased to attend the J9 event in Ruddington. Honestly, it was one of the most valuable training sessions that I have ever done. I found it both informative and moving, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The session made me realise that providing a network of safe spaces across Rushcliffe for those needing support is so important.
The training can be done in one short session and I encourage all the residents of East Leake and the surrounding villages to attend it. Any one of us may well be the person who makes a difference to a victim of domestic abuse.”
Taking part in a J9 training session will help you respond appropriately and effectively to survivors of abuse who may come to your shop, pub, school or surgery. It will help you recognise signs of domestic abuse, talk to survivors and take you through information on accessing professional support services locally. Once your one off training has been completed, you will be asked to display a J9 sign in your window to signal to potential victims that your space is a safe one.
If you would like to make a difference and help survivors of domestic abuse in Ruddington access the support they need, get in touch today and book a place on a J9 training session (approximately two hours).
You can book a place on the training course by going to the following Link.
