Training for justice professionals
Improved training for the criminal justice organisations including the Police and PPS, as well as solicitors, barristers, court staff and the judiciary is intended to deliver cultural and organisational change, to benefit victims through a more trauma informed and sensitive approach.
The Gillen Training Group led on the development and roll out of a trauma-informed Learning Framework for frontline professionals across the criminal justice system to enhance the understanding, skills and sensitivity of those working with victims of sexual crime. Over the past couple of years examples of Gillen related training has included:
- Training delivered to almost 5,000 police officers across a diverse range of topics such as rape myths (delivered in conjunction with Nexus), conducting ABE interviews, dealing with those affected by trauma, developing specialist skills to deal with child victims and personal wellbeing training for those officers involved in the investigation of serious sexual offences.
- Members of the Bar and Law Society now have access to specifically designed courses aimed at raising awareness and supporting the needs of Vulnerable Witnesses.
- Judicial training has included the attendance of the Lady Chief Justice, a Lord Justice of Appeal and 5 Crown Court Judges at the Judicial College’s Continuation Training in Serious Sexual Offences course which enables delegates to try these cases with sensitivity and confidence, equipped with knowledge of current law and practice.