Training and Education Services

Education and Prevention Service

GRCC offer an educational and awareness programme that caters for the needs of young people aged 15-20 years. Taking the form of interactive workshops, they are undertaken in a non-judgemental, confidential and respectful manner. Based on extensive research, the workshops are designed to educate, challenge and stimulate participants to explore new ways of thinking around the area of sexual violence.

Together with the GRCC trained facilitator/education worker the students explore the roots of violence in society and look at the choices they make when faced with conflict in the context of relationship violence. The workshops promote healthy relationships, mutual respect and equality through clear communication and making healthy choices, as well as raising awareness of sexual assault, abuse and rape.

The classes aim to equip the students with prevention tips such as establishing boundaries, dealing with dangerous situations assertively and being safe while socialising. The education programme continues to be extremely popular with local schools and youth groups and the demand is higher than is currently being delivered. In 2009 GRCC plans to train a group of volunteers by offering the 25 hour RCNI (Rape Crisis Network Ireland) accredited Education training in order to meet this demand.

Should your school or group require this service please contact us at administrator@galwayrcc.org

This a free service , although donations are always welcome!

Postgraduate Specialisation Training for Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Issues of Sexual Violence and Abuse

This course introduces professional counsellors to the full range of counselling issues at Rape Crisis Centres and similar services dealing with sexual violence and sexual abuse. 

The training will consist of an initial 50 hours training , followed by 200 hours with GRCC clients closely supervised by an accredited counsellor

The course will be held weekly 6.30-9.30 starting on the Tuesday 18th October until the 13th December.  Followed by  two weekends ; 21st -22nd Jan and 18th -19th Feb 2012  

Upon successful completion, this training is designed to lead to accreditation with the Rape Crisis Network Ireland (www.rcni.ie) which would enable successful candidates to apply for volunteering or paid positions at GRCC and other member centres

 Issues covered:
· the impact of societal attitudes and myths on survivors of sexual violence and abuse
· the RCC approach to counselling
· Gender Difference and conditioning
· counselling skills training in issues of sexual violence and abuse
· post traumatic stress syndrome in relation to sexual violence and abuse
· dynamics of child sexual abuse
· perpetrator profiles and their behaviour cycles including females as perpetrators
· the traumatic impact of rape
· male rape
· the legal process in relation to sexual violence and abuse
· counselling issues in the aftermath of rape and sexual assault
· working with self harming clients
· working with suicidal clients
· addictions and eating disorders
· sexuality, sexual orientation and sex
· vicarious traumatisation
· crisis counselling skills
· telephone counselling skills
· transference and counter transference in relation to counselling survivors of sexual violence and abuse
· phases of the counselling process in relation to sexual violence and abuse
· inner child work
· working with body sensations
· working with strong emotions

Learning Methods:
The course includes a substantial amount of theoretical content, which will be both presented in class and as homework reading. Teaching methods in class will include presentations, group discussion, experiential work in the large group and in smaller groups both with real life issues and role play. 

The Trainers:
Galway Rape Crisis Centre Trainers are accredited by the Rape Crisis Network Ireland as trainers as well as having their own professional qualifications. The RCNI training accreditation guarantees experience in the trauma field both as a psychotherapist and as a trainer. 

Entry requirements:
· Previous comprehensive training in counselling or psychotherapy
· In-depth experience of personal therapy
· Application by Application Form
· This course is offered with the expectation that should personal issues arise, participants will work with those in their own personal therapy. 
Outcomes:
· Enhanced understanding and skills in the area of sexual violence and sexual abuse counselling
· This course will amount to 50 hours of Continuous Professional Development
· For participants who successfully complete this course, this training is designed to lead to accreditation with the Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI, the national umbrella organisation of Rape Crisis Centres) which would enable successful candidates to apply for volunteering or paid positions at GRCCand other member RCCs

Charging system:
Course Cost: €750 Euros . This includes 50 hours tuition and course materials. Those who successfully pass the training stage will receive ongoing supervision with an accredited supervisor , top-up training, peer supervision , access to GRCC library, insurance and use of GRCC computers .

The number of participants for this course will be limited. Interviews will be held in October. Those who do not successfully pass the initial 50 hour training stage will be given a certificate of attendance , however no refund will apply.

Enquiries and bookings:
Please email coordinator@galwayrcc.org or phone the office at 091 583149.

Click Here to Download an Application Form

Information Talks

On request, the centre offers information talks to community groups and organisations, or to groups of professionals on issues in the area of sexual violence and abuse. Talks can be tailored to suit the needs of particular groups. Should your school or group require this service please contact us at administrator@galwayrcc.org

Volunteer trainings

GRCC run trainings for volunteers on a regular basis, for details please see the volunteering page Volunteering