The Violence Awareness and Action Training (VAAT) is a certificate training program offered to local communities to assist participants in the examination of attitudes, values, and beliefs that support violence in our society. The VAAT training is coordinated in Labrador by Violence Prevention Labrador and provincially by the Newfoundland and Labrador Violence Prevention Initiative.

The VAAT training will:

• Familiarize trainees, through group discussion and analysis, with the Violence Awareness & Action Training Leader's Guide, resources, and Materials;
  
• Assist participants in examining attitudes, values, and beliefs that support violence in our society;
  
• Provide information (facts and causes) on different forms of violence;
  
• Provide, through group discussion, an empowering and reflective training environment which encourages personal insight into the experiences of survivors of violence;
  
• Build empathy and respect for client self-determination;
  
• Include anecdotal, statistical, and theoretical information;
  
• Promote an inter-agency approach to government and community violence prevention services.
  

Note: A certificate will be issued from the Violence Prevention Initiative upon completion of this training.

The VAAT Training session will:

• Assist participants to examine attitudes, values, and beliefs that support violence in our society;
  
• Provide information (facts and causes) on different forms of violence;
  
• Provide, through group discussion, an empowering and reflective training environment which encourages personal insight into the experiences of survivors of violence;
  
• Build empathy and respect for client self-determination;
  
• Include anecdotal, statistical and theoretical information;
  
• Promote an inter-agency approach to government and community violence prevention services.
  

The two day VAAT Train the Trainer Session will:

• Familiarize trainees, through group discussion and analysis, with the Violence Awareness Training Leaders Guide resources and material;
  
• Practice delivery of Violence Awareness material and resources;
  
• Review adult learning principles and facilitation skills;
  
• Prepare trainers for future in-service delivery of violence awareness material;
  
• Promote an inter-departmental, inter-agency approach to government and community violence prevention services.
  

Criteria for Facilitators

Knowledge of Topic

• Demonstrates knowledge of the area of "violence" and violence prevention
  
• Supports the content and messages promoted in the workshop
  
• Establishes and builds working relationships with community agencies and institutions
  
• Demonstrates an understanding of gender equality and the importance of using a gender inclusive lens in any approach to anti-violence work
  
• Demonstrates an analysis and acceptance of the VPI stated value that violence is a crime and complex social issue, deeply rooted in society's traditional acceptance of inequality.
  

Facilitation/Training Skills

• Experience facilitating groups or conducting training activities or presentations, or some training knowledge/experience
  
• Understanding of or desire to learn about adult education
  
• Knowledge of group process: how groups develop, what dynamics may evolve, and strategies for coping with group conflict
  
• Self awareness regarding dominant learning style, communication style and ability to change style to fit needs of group
  
• Ability to enhance participants learning through integration of work, family and community related activities
  
• Can create a physical and interpersonal climate that is conducive to learning
  

Interpersonal skills

• Excellent communication skills
  
• Ability to present clearly in front of groups
  
• Good listening skills
  
• Sensitivity to participants
  

Leadership

• Feel comfortable providing leadership to department/agency/group
  
• A clear understanding of the values basic to the program
  
• Encourages collaborative learning and respect among learners through sharing ideas, asking questions, responding to others' comments
  

Other selection criteria

• Selected by a supportive organization/department/agency where these skills can be developed and participation in training is valued as positive career advancement
  
• Both female and male participants requested
  

Commitment

• Interest in and commitment to violence prevention
  
• Willingness, with department/agency/group support, to commit time and energy to follow up.