It might begin with subtle changes – a student withdrawing from friends, missing school regularly, or a parent seeming withdrawn or anxious during a school pickup.
As teachers, support staff, and school leaders, you’re often the first to notice these signs. You see students every day, build trusting relationships with families over time, and play a key role in students’ emotional and social development.
School can be a safe space for children and families affected by domestic and family violence (DFV). While the signs aren’t always obvious, being able to recognise when something might be wrong, and knowing how to respond in a calm, safe, and supportive way, can make a real difference.
Why DFV is a school issue
Domestic and family violence doesn’t stay behind closed doors. Its impact extends into classrooms and playgrounds. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022), 68% of Australian women who experienced violence from a partner had children in their care at the time. These children often carry the burden silently in the form of trauma, fear, or emotional distress.
DFV affects learning, behaviour, attendance, and a student’s sense of safety. It can also affect the wellbeing of parents who are trying to support their child’s education while navigating violence at home. For teachers, understanding how to recognise and respond to these dynamics, whether through student behaviour or a parent’s disclosure, can make a critical difference in a child’s life. Yet many say they feel uncertain about what to do or how far their role extends.
DV-alert – practical, free DFV response training for teachers
DV-alert is a nationally recognised training program, funded by the Department of Social Services and delivered by Lifeline Australia. It equips frontline workers, including teachers, with the knowledge and tools to:
- Recognise the signs of domestic and family violence
- Respond confidently and appropriately
- Refer to the right services for support
With face-to-face and virtual workshops offered year-round across Australia, DV-alert is designed to fit around your schedule and your role – whether you’re a teacher, wellbeing coordinator, school counsellor, or principal.
Why it matters and why teachers play a critical role
Domestic and family violence is often difficult to recognise, especially for children and young people. Many don’t have the words to describe what’s happening at home, or they may fear the consequences of speaking up. Some don’t realise that what they’re experiencing is abuse at all. In other cases, it may be a parent who confides in a teacher during a parent-teacher interview, phone call, or casual interaction.
Schools are often trusted environments, not just for students, but for parents as well. When teachers are equipped to listen with empathy and respond appropriately, they can provide the first step toward safety and support.
You might only have a short window – a playground chat, a concerned glance, or a parent-teacher conversation. But that small moment, when approached with care and knowledge, can become a turning point.
DV-alert helps clarify what you can do: how to recognise the early signs, how to listen, how to respond without causing further harm, and how to refer appropriately within your school or to external services. It helps teachers navigate those moments with confidence, rather than uncertainty.
‘I used to think DFV was something obvious,’ one learner said during the DV-alert workshop. ‘Now I realise it’s often subtle, layered and easy to miss. This workshop gave me a new lens and a practical framework to respond safely.’
A pathway to accreditation
DV-alert training can lead to a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment for the unit of competency CHCDFV001: Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence, a nationally recognised accreditation across the health, education, and community sectors.
Learners can start with a 2-Day Foundations Workshop, then build further skills through a 1-Day Focused Workshop in topics like:
- Women with Disability
- Multicultural
- Men who use Violence
- First Nations
- Gendered Violence in Diverse Communities
Workshops are delivered by expert trainers with real-world experience, using case studies, practical activities, and trauma-informed principles.
Want to learn more?
DV-alert is funded by the Department of Social Services and delivered on behalf of Lifeline Australia (RTO 88036). All training is offered at no cost to eligible frontline workers. Financial assistance for travel or staff backfill is available in some cases.
To find out more or explore upcoming workshops, visit: www.dvalert.org.au
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2022, February 25). Australia’s children. AIHW website. Australian Government. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/children-youth/australias-children/contents/justice-safety
