The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the virtual training series “Firearm Awareness and Risk for Victim Advocates.”
The intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and firearms can create a lethal situation, making it crucial for victim advocates and survivors of IPV to better understand firearm safety and awareness. This session will review the statistics on the prevalence, severity, risk, and lethality associated with IPV and firearms. The presenter will offer a historical overview of federal gun laws, mandated prohibitions, and amendments that reduce access to firearms. She will discuss how a knowledge of these laws and the related issues is necessary for advocates to support survivors better.Chad Felts, DCJS Intimate Partner Gun Violence Prevention Coordinator, will also present an overview of IPV-related gun laws in Virginia.The presenter will provide insight into coercive control, how abusers use firearms to control and intimidate their victims, and common barriers preventing victims from seeking help and services.
Learning Objectives:
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
This session will provide guidance and tools to victim advocates on victim-centered, trauma-informed firearm safety assessment and planning for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Using case studies, participants can reflect on their thoughts, biases, and concerns when discussing firearms with victims. The presenter will offer tools to help victim advocates to become more comfortable with these conversations. She will provide guidance on conversation starters, talking points, and guiding questions advocates may use to reduce victim anxiety, uphold victim autonomy, and build trust during a firearm and safety planning conversation. Participants will learn about different firearm safe storage options and how to involve survivors in decision-making. She will discuss how to present options that consider the victim/victim’s family/offender’s circumstances, perceptions, and cultural concerns. Additionally, the presenter will provide insights into the federal, state, and jurisdictional regulations that must be considered when determining appropriate firearm storage and transfer options. Recognizing the gravity of these conversations, victim-advocate self-care will be discussed.
Dr. Elizabeth “Gizzy” Gray is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Addictions Counselor and a Credentialed Advocate. Dr. Gray’s experience includes mental health, trauma response, suicide, addictions, child abuse and intimate partner violence. She is the developer of the Advocacy for Firearm Awareness and Risk training, which focuses on increasing comfort in and likelihood of advocates addressing firearm risk with IPV victims.
No credits are being offered for this training. A certificate of attendance will be provided to participants who attend the entire training (both sessions). It is strongly recommended that participants attend both sessions in this training series.
This training series is free. Participants must register in advance.
