Education and Outreach

Our Education and Outreach Program provides reliable, up-to-date information and resources about domestic violence, including how to offer support to victims and survivors. We actively raise public awareness about the complex effects of domestic violence on individuals, children and communities. Our education staff and volunteers speak at schools, in the workplace, and to community groups and churches on a wide variety of domestic violence related topics. Last year, we reached over 3,422 county residents through more than 135 outreach events, workshops, trainings and speaking engagements. We also reached countless others via public service announcements and printed materials. Education and Outreach opportunities include:

· Speakers: WHBW provides speakers to a wide variety of groups, including colleges and universities, churches, service clubs, workplaces, community groups and other organizations. Topics include Domestic Violence 101, Teen Dating Violence 101, Children and Their Violent Play, The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children, How to Help Someone Who Is Abused, and Intimate Partner Violence and Healthcare.
· Professional Trainings: The professional training component targets those who are involved in assisting abuse victims and their dependents, such as health professionals, law enforcement agencies, social service organizations, schools, religious groups and corporations. Trainings are tailored to meet the needs of each organization.
· Workplace Violence Prevention: The professional training component works with businesses, agencies and corporations to prepare employees to address workplace violence issues. WHBW staff has been working on an innovative domestic violence program with the City of Burlington to train department heads, supervisors and employees.
·Workshops for Students: Workshops include Teen Dating Violence 101, Bullying and Teasing, and Identifying Unhealthy and Healthy Relationships. These workshops are provided to high schools and middle schools throughout Chittenden County.
Domestic Violence Materials, Brochures, and Resources: WHBW provides brochures, resources, and other materials to educate the community about the issues of domestic violence. These materials have been placed in waiting rooms of doctor offices, the walls of high school classrooms, the offices of clergy, the bathrooms of corporations, and resource tables at community organizations.

To schedule a speaker, training or workshop, or to request materials contact Darrell at 1-802-658-3131, x1077 or send an e-mail to darrellm@whbw.org.

Community-Based Prevention through Community Networking: our staff actively participates in policy work, community education and the support and development of system's consciousness of the needs of battered women and children. These forums include but are not limited to:
• Chittenden County Domestic Violence Task Force
• Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
• United Way of Chittenden County
• Vermont Council on Domestic Violence
• KidSafe Council