VAWG Community Champions Training (In Person) - Faith Communities Pilot Session

Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) describes forms of violence and abuse that disproportionately affect women and girls, including domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, and practices such as forced marriage and FGM. It can affect anyone.

Tackling VAWG is everyone's responsibility. That's why Lambeth is establishing a VAWG Champions Network — and why we're piloting the training with people from faith communities first.

We know that faith spaces are often a source of comfort and support for people going through difficult times. This training is about making sure that everyone in those spaces, including people supporting others informally, has access to good information to help keep people safe.

We'd love for you to be part of it.

Who this is for

This session is for anyone with a connection to a faith community who would like to support people in their setting. You could be:

• A trusted member of your congregation or community
• Someone who would like to support people within their faith setting, in an informal capacity
• Someone in a formal pastoral role, such as a pastor, imam, priest, rabbi or pastoral worker

People of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome. We are also particularly keen for men to take part — as role models, community leaders and trusted figures, men are well placed to promote positive attitudes and behaviours within their communities.

Your role as a VAWG Community Champion

• Raise awareness of Violence Against Women and Girls within their community
• Look out for others, and notice when something may be wrong
• Listen with empathy, without judgement
• Signpost people who need support to the right specialist services

You are not expected to be an expert, and you won't be asked to manage a situation on your own.

What the session covers

Over three hours, you'll learn how to recognise the signs that someone may be experiencing abuse, respond with empathy and confidence, and signpost people to the right specialist support. No prior experience or knowledge is needed.

What happens next?

On completing the session, you'll become a VAWG Community Champion and join the Lambeth VAWG Champions Network — a borough-wide response bringing together residents, community members and practitioners alongside specialist services such as the Gaia Centre, the police, housing and children's social care. You'll receive a resource handbook to support you in the role, and an invitation to join the Lambeth VAWG Forum, a quarterly meeting of practitioners and volunteers working to tackle violence against women and girls across the borough.

Help shape this programme

This is a pilot. We'll ask for your feedback at the end of the session, which will directly inform how we develop the training before it's offered more widely.

Questions? Contact Amy Masson, VAWG Workstream Lead: amasson@lambeth.gov.uk