L to R: Erin McGreehan T.D., Dr Diarmuid O’Callaghan, Dr Briege King, Dr Kathleen Nallen, Dr Edel Healy, Dr Geraldine O Connor and Dr Moira Maguire
The Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) RiVeR Project team says it is delighted to announce the official launch of 'In Their Shoes,' an interactive toolkit designed for experiential learning about Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV).
The toolkit has been adapted by the DkIT RiVeR Project with permission, from the original United States version of In Her Shoes® to make it more reflective of modern Irish society. The RiVeR Project team has developed the original resource to address identified gaps by including additional perspectives to increase the transferability and efficacy of the tool and ensure that it is applicable to the remit of a wider range of service providers.
Through this toolkit, participants step into the shoes of a person in an abusive relationship, making decisions based on real victim-survivor experiences. They are guided through character-specific scenarios and explore the complex choices faced in abusive situations. A vital debrief session follows, encouraging reflection, addressing misconceptions and inspiring personal and local action for change.
The DkIT RiVeR Project team are also hosting a series of workshops, including ‘Train the Trainer’ sessions, whereby organisations who attend it and fulfil the application criteria will be issued with an ‘In Their Shoes’ toolkit. The toolkit and workshops are funded by the RiVeR Project, supported under the Higher Education Authority Performance Funding Scheme.
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The ‘In Their Shoes’ initiative was recently launched by Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and spokesperson on Research and Innovation, Erin Mc Greehan T.D., ahead of one of the workshops taking place on the DkIT campus.
Addressing workshop participants at the launch, Erin Mc Greehan T.D. said: "It is an honour to be here at DkIT to launch the ‘In Their Shoes’ Toolkit. With the support of the HEA, the RiVeR Project community of practice is an essential resource to assist those working in the area of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV).
"Since launching in 2023, the RiVeR team has provided invaluable help and guidance to those working in this area and the launch of this new interactive toolkit is another valuable resource for practitioners and those working in the sector, providing them with insights into a broad variety of perspectives of victims and survivors of DSGBV in our society.
"These workshops will build empathy and awareness among participants, particularly frontline professionals, about the daily realities of living with abuse. I want to commend the RiVeR team and all of those working to tackle Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence for their consistent efforts to support victims and survivors."
Speaking about the initiative, Dr Kathleen Nallen, Project Lead - DkIT RiVeR Project said: “The RiVeR Project team is delighted to be able to share this wonderful ‘In Their Shoes’ resource with the DSGBV community of practice. It will be a valuable learning tool that organisations can then use in their own service to further support victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
"We are very appreciative of the funding received through the Higher Education Authority that allows us to develop and share key education and training initiatives for frontline DSGBV services."
To learn more about ‘In Their Shoes’ visit: Adaptation of ‘In Her Shoes®’ Interactive exercise toolkit - River Project - Dundalk Institute of Technology
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