Coaching – the Model for Family Violence Victim Survivors

As part of the holistic recovery of a family violence victim survivor, coaching supports victim survivors to enhance the skills, resources, and creativity that they already have, but may not be aware of or have had suppressed. It offers an empowerment component, that encourages the building of resilience and independence to confidently make choices and plans, for the future, for themselves and their children.

“What we seek to emphasise here is that women and children actively narrow their “space for action” and /or have it narrowed for them by having to live within the parameters the perpetrator sets”. (“Coercive Control: How Men Entrap Women in Personal Life” E. Stark, 2007, page 5, New York, Oxford University Press).

“(What is needed) For partners/ ex partners to have an expanded “space for action” that empowers through restoring their voice and ability to make choices, whilst improving their well – being.” (“Why Extending Measurements of Success in Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programmes Matters for Social Work” by Nicole Westmarland and Liz Kelly. Project Mirabal UK 2009 – 2015.)

I believe coaching can provide that necessary expanded “space for action” for family violence victim survivors.

Kerry’s credentials for family violence coaching?

Kerry has training and knowledge in emotional intelligence, positive psychology, brain dominance, solution focused – frameworks, neuroscience and neuro linguistic program techniques, strength- based philosophy and techniques from conversation intelligence. She has a Certificate IV in Personal and Business Coaching and a Diploma in Leadership, Mentoring and Coaching with FIREUP Coaching (an Australian registered training organisation).

Kerry understands the gendered drivers of family violence which include;

  1. Condoning of violence against women
  2. Men’s control of decision making and limits to women’s independence in public life and relationships
  3. Rigid gender roles and sterotyped constructions of masculinity and femininity
  4. Male peer relations that emphasise aggression and disrespect towards women. (prevention@dvrcv.org.au, partnersinprevention.org.au).

This gives Kerry the ability and understanding to build a relationship with the victim survivor to explore (without driving) the issues and concerns that may be creating barriers to moving forward. Kerry has the skill and knowledge to safely explore with the victim survivor, their values and beliefs, so they gain an in depth understanding about themselves.

Kerry’s experience

Kerry’s experience spans leadership, strategic planning and management roles in local government, education, community health, family violence & social welfare in Gippsland (VIC);

  • For twelve years, Kerry was a Family Violence Principle Strategic Advisor in a not for profit feminist- based organization.
  • Kerry developed, facilitated, and delivered family violence Common Risk Assessment Framework (CRAF) training programs throughout Gippsland.
  • Kerry was a member of the Board for Domestic Violence Victoria, the peak body for family violence in Victoria and received a life membership.
  • Kerry was a member of the 2018 Victorian Industry Taskforce for Family Violence. Including representing regional, rural, and remote areas of Victoria in the review and re-development of the family violence workforce.
  • Kerry has a qualification for primary and early childhood teaching and established the Gippsland Regional Parenting Resource Centre (Parentzone).
  • Kerry is atrained as a Triple P facilitator.
  • On completing qualifications in Personal and Business Coaching, Kerry became a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and FIREUP Coaching Alumni Network.
  • Kerry has a current Police Check and working with Children Check.