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An evaluation of the ‘First Point of Contact’ Disclosure Management Skills Training has been published, demonstrating how universities and other education providers can enable staff and students to receive informal disclosures of sexual violence or harassment (SVH). The training is a collaboration between the Active* Consent programme at University of Galway and Galway Rape Crisis Centre. First Point of Contact is a 12-hour psychotherapist-led training programme that prepares participants to receive disclosures of sexual violence and harassment and to signpost to relevant supports and services. It teaches people how to create a safe, informed, and supportive space for disclosures to be made.

The 2021 Higher Education Authority (HEA) national survey of staff in the sector showed that only about one fifth agreed that they were well informed about how to respond effectively to a disclosure. Approximately 300 participants from the Higher Education, Further Education & Training (FET) sectors, and other organisations have completed the training so far. Key findings from the report include: · Skill Development: 98% of survey respondents said they felt prepared to receive and respond to a disclosure after the training, using empathic communication and trauma-informed skills.

Widespread Satisfaction: 97% of survey respondents recommended the training to colleagues, citing its confidence-building and empowering approach. · Sustainability Needs: The report outlines strategies to enhance support for participants post-training, including refresher courses, peer networks, and clearer institutional policies Recommendations for the future include maintaining psychotherapist-led delivery of the disclosure skills training; increasing the coverage of diversity, cultural change, and complex disclosure scenarios in the training; and formalising the First Point of Contact role in organisations so that young people and staff members can access informal support when they wish to make a disclosure of sexual violence or harassment. Read the report here: https://www.consenthub.ie/research/first-point-of-contact-disclosure-management-skills-training-research-evaluation-study/