Debbie Mehaffy

Training Level: Foundation and Intermediate Level

Specialist Area:

Domestic violence and working with the issue of trauma.

Training Availability: Independent Trainer and Agency Based Trainer

Main Region: Northern Ireland

Also Covers: UK and Ireland

I have worked in the area of domestic violence since 1995. Specialising on the effects domestic violence has on women, children and young people.

Working directly within Women's Aid crisis accommodation. This work lead me to becoming a facilitator of training and prevention programmes in schools, and later as a regional trainer on children and young people's issues throughout Northern Ireland.

Due to my interest on the issue of domestic violence I am co-author of a programme called "You and Me, Mum". A specialised programme aimed at impowering, supporting and developing the role of mothers in further understanding.

Josie Shields

Training Level: Foundation and Intermediate Level

Specialist Area:

Training on Domestic Violence Awareness, Suicide Intervention Training, and Personal Development programmes.

Training Availability: Independent Trainer and Agency Based Trainer

Main Region: Northern Ireland

Also Covers: UK

My name is Josie Shields and I am a Protective Behaviours Intermediate level accredited trainer. I was first introduced to Protective Behaviours in 1997 and was endorsed and accredited as a Foundation Level trainer by Di Margetts December 1999.

Experience: I currently work as a Training/Development worker for Women's Aid based in Bangor, Northern Ireland.

My role includes:

• Delivering Domestic Violence Awareness training to a range of statutory agencies, voluntary organisations and community groups.

• Facilitating support groups, delivering personal development programmes, mainly Protective Behaviours throughout Northern Ireland.

• I am also an accredited ASIST trainer (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) with Living Works Education.

My former years in Women's Aid were spent working one to one with women and children experiencing domestic violence and I still have some involvement in this area of work through working with Northern Ireland Probation Board giving support to current and ex-partners of men participating on PBNI programmes for perpetrators of domestic violence.

Past experience includes managing a playgroup for nine years then progressing to supporting 'families under stress', the majority with child protection issues.