Harmful Practices

Course: Harmful Practices

Training Provider: Karma Nirvana

Join this specialist one-day training course delivered by Karma Nirvana, a leading national charity with over 33 years of experience tackling Honour-Based Abuse (HBA) and harmful practices. Drawing on extensive front-line experience, national policy influence, and expertise gained through supporting victims and survivors, this course equips professionals with the knowledge and confidence to identify, respond to, and safeguard those at risk.

The training explores the dynamics of honour-based abuse, forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), virginity testing, hymenoplasty, and other harmful practices. Participants will gain an understanding of the cultural, social, and legal contexts surrounding these forms of abuse, whilst developing the skills needed to recognise risk factors, overcome barriers to disclosure, and respond effectively within their professional role.

Delivered by an experienced trainer and supported by a Survivor Ambassador, the session combines expert input, lived experience, interactive polls, case study discussions, breakout activities, and practical safeguarding scenarios. Using authentic anonymised cases and evidence-based learning, delegates will explore best practice approaches to safeguarding, referral pathways, confidentiality, and multi-agency working.

By the end of the course, participants will be better equipped to identify harmful practices, understand their impact on victims and survivors, challenge common misconceptions, and apply appropriate safeguarding measures with confidence. This engaging and informative session supports professionals to strengthen their response to honour-based abuse and harmful practices and improve outcomes for those affected.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Participants will be able to identify different types of harmful practices and understand the specific risk factors that make individuals vulnerable to these abuses.
2. Participants will feel confidence in identifying harmful practices and effectively safeguard individuals from these practices
3. Participants will feel confident in using culturally sensitive, non-judgemental approaches when supporting victims of harmful practices, including knowing when to escalate concerns
4. Participants will be able to apply learning to real-life case scenarios, using professional judgement and safeguarding protocols to respond appropriately and make referrals to specialised services

Prerequisites:

Must be working within Gwent; Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen

Target group:

• Professionals working with the public and those at risk of VAWDASV
• Those looking to increase their knowledge in the subject area
• In a role where the client group is likely to have experienced a form of VAWDASV
• Social Care Workers / Local Authority Staff / Health / Domestic Abuse Specialists / Police / Probation / Fire and Rescue Services / Other related Specialists