Month: October 2024

We’re excited to announce that our latest cohort of Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) has officially begun their accredited training at LimeCulture, marking an incredible achievement for us. With this new cohort, we have now trained over 1,000 new ISVAs through our accredited ISVA Development Programme—and that’s not counting all the ISVAs we’ve supported through our ongoing professional development training initiatives.

Since the launch of our ISVA Development Programme in 2011, we’ve successfully delivered training to 47 cohorts of new ISVAs. This milestone provides us with immense pride and a continued sense of responsibility. As the leading provider of ISVA Training, we are committed to continue to deliver excellent, high-quality training for ISVAs which provides them with the skills and knowledge to undertake their vital role to support victims/survivors of sexual violence.

Our commitment to ISVAs remains unwavering. We consistently review, update and refine our training materials to ensure our training is as good as it can be. We are committed to ensuring that the ISVAs who train with LimeCulture gain both the confidence and competence needed to navigate the complexities of their roles.

 

On Friday 8 November at 13.30-14.30, LimeCulture is inviting Managers from all ISVA Services across the UK to join us to discuss the future of ISVA Training. This workshop provides an opportunity to shape the training available for ISVAs by sharing views and suggestions to support  the professional training of the ISVA workforce. If you are the Manager of an ISVA Service and would like to attend on 8 November, please email info@limeculture.co.uk

 

The new duties for employers to prevent sexual harassment – as set out in the Worker Protection (Amendment to the Equality Act 2010) Act 2023) – will be coming into force on 26 October 2024.  As organisations take steps to comply with this new duty to prevent sexual harassment, there will likely be an increase in the number of reported incidents of sexual misconduct, particularly in organisations where employers have built trust and confidence amongst their employees that they are prepared to tackle sexual misconduct and will take these issues seriously.

With this new legislation, it is more critical than ever for employers to be prepared to respond to cases of sexual misconduct swiftly, fairly and with sensitivity. We believe that creating healthy and #SaferCultures in workplaces is essential. Employers must build environments where employees have the confidence to come forward, that they will be heard, supported and their concerns acted upon fairly and appropriately. However, we also know from experience that organisations often struggle with these issues, leading to mishandling of sensitive cases, which can result in severe consequences for both individuals and the organisation as a whole.

The need for organisations to take a trauma-informed approach to handling sexual misconduct cases is crucially important. We’ve frequently been told by those who serve on disciplinary panels that they lack confidence when it comes to managing sexual misconduct cases – and quite understandably so. They are tasked with making decisions about often highly emotive cases, that can significantly impact the lives of the victims/survivors who are reporting, those who have been reported against, and the wider workforce – who will undoubtedly be observing how the organisation manages sensitive cases of this nature.

Given the impact of the new duties on employers to prevent sexual harassment will likely result in an increase in reported sexual misconduct cases, it is absolutely critical that Panel Members have the confidence and the competence to handle sexual misconduct cases.

With this in mind, LimeCulture is pleased to announce the launch of our new, specialist training programme designed specifically for discipline Panel Members handling sexual misconduct cases.

 

Why trauma-informed training matters

For Panel Members, understanding the complexities of trauma and how it can affect an individual’s behaviour, memory, and response is crucial to ensuring fair and empathetic outcomes. Unfortunately, many disciplinary processes lack this critical lens, potentially leading to misinterpretations, biases, or re-traumatisation of those involved.

Our new 1-day training course equips discipline Panel Members with the tools, knowledge and skills to:

• Understand the impact of trauma on reporting behaviours, memory recall, and emotional responses
• Recognise and respond to trauma in both the reporting party (the victim/survivor) and the reported party (the person accused)
• Avoid re-traumatisation during hearings or investigations, creating a safer environment for all participants and
• Understand how unconscious biases, myths and misconceptions can affect the decision-making process within the panel
• Identify and understand the risks associated with sexual misconduct cases
• Make informed decisions while maintaining fairness, transparency, and sensitivity
• Consider the emotional impact on panel members and promote strategies for well-being and self-care.

 

What LimeCulture’s Training Offers

LimeCulture’s trauma-informed training is a comprehensive course developed by experts in sexual misconduct, safeguarding, and trauma. Participants will learn through:

• Working through interactive case studies and scenarios to better understand the dynamics of trauma in sexual misconduct cases
• Exploring best practice approaches for conducting fair and sensitive disciplinary hearings
• Discussing practical approaches for creating supportive environments that protect the wellbeing of everyone involved.

By completing this training, discipline Panel Members will be better equipped to carry out their roles with compassion, competence, and clarity—ensuring that sexual misconduct cases are handled with the sensitivity and integrity they deserve.

 

Creating Safer Cultures

At LimeCulture, we believe that trauma-informed training is essential for creating safer cultures across all sectors. Whether in health services, universities, hospitality, sporting organisations, financial services  or any other type of employing organisation-  it is critical that those tasked with making decisions in sexual misconduct cases are properly trained to recognise and respond to trauma and its effects.

Our new training is part of LimeCulture’s ongoing commitment to creating safer cultures and improving responses to sexual violence and abuse by ensuring that victims/survivors are heard, supported, and respected throughout the process.

 

Want to Learn More?

For more information on how LimeCulture’s trauma-informed sexual misconduct training can support your organisation, contact our team at info@limeculture.co.uk

 

Empowering Discipline Panel Members with the right tools not only ensures fair outcomes, but also helps build trust in workplace processes. LimeCulture is proud to lead this important initiative, fostering safer cultures for everyone.

#LimeCulture #TraumaInformed #SexualMisconduct #Training #PanelMembers #Fairness #Support #SurvivorCentric #VictimFocused #HumanResources

 

 

Carrying out a workplace investigation into a report of sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment, sexual assault and/or rape) is extremely challenging for several reasons: these types of investigations require balancing emotional sensitivity, legal compliance, confidentiality, and fairness, all while navigating highly charged and personal issues.

Therefore, it is crucial that anyone conducting a workplace sexual misconduct investigation is properly equipped with the skills and sensitivity needed to handle cases involving victims/survivors of sexual misconduct with care, fairness, and respect.

LimeCulture is delighted to launch new specialist trauma-informed training for those conducting a workplace investigation into sexual misconduct.

Maria Putz, Head of Training at LimeCulture said:

‘Sexual misconduct often results in psychological trauma, and victims/survivors may exhibit a wide range of emotional and behavioural responses. Trauma-informed training helps investigators to understand how trauma may affect memory, behaviour, and communication. This can explain why some victims/survivors may appear inconsistent or detached during interviews and it prevents misinterpretation of trauma symptoms as dishonesty or lack of credibility’

Sadly, we know that some of the traditional investigative techniques can unintentionally re-traumatise victims/survivors, where for example, there is a lack of sensitivity to their emotional state.

The stakes are extremely high when it comes to investigating cases of sexual misconduct and it’s so very important that workplace investigations are conducted properly, fairly and with respect for all parties involved’

LimeCulture’s trauma-informed training helps investigators to recognise these risks and modify their approach to minimise the potential for re-traumatisation, allowing victims/survivors to share their experiences without feeling attacked or disrespected.

Investigators who are trained in trauma-informed principles are more likely to build trust with victims/survivors, ensuring they feel heard and supported. This fosters a more open dialogue and can lead to more accurate and comprehensive accounts of the events in question.

LimeCulture’s 1-day trauma-informed training for sexual misconduct investigations is now available to all employing organisations who wish to demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being and a serious approach to handling sexual misconduct.

Our trauma-informed training will build trust among staff through demonstrating that the organisation is prepared to address difficult issues with  sensitivity, responsibility, and fairness.

For more information about this training and pricing please email info@limeculture.co.uk