Community Advocate Training
JOIN THE ANTI-VIOLENCE MOVEMENT
Registration for Winter CAT (January 2026) is closed.
20-hour community advocate training
Sign up for Spring 2026 20-Hour CAT here.
20-hour CAT is for those who are planning on interning, volunteering, or working with Steps or who are seeking Crisis Worker Privilege. This introductory training will provide foundational knowledge about intimate partner violence, anti-violence work, and Steps to End Domestic Violence’s programs and services. It will give you practical tools and build skills to support those experiencing intimate partner violence in your community.
During the training, we will explore different elements of power and control-based violence and will offer discussion and education on the intersections of domestic violence and other systems of oppression. CAT also fulfills the 20-hour training requirement for Vermont’s Victim and Crisis Worker Privilege. CAT is typically offered 4 times a year, in January, April, August, and October. This training is typically capped at 15 participants.
This training will include:
Domestic Violence 101 presentation
The empowerment model and how to use it when working with survivors
Presentations and discussions from Steps staff on our programs and services
Readings, videos, and conversation on intersectionality, systems of oppression, and the cultural context of domestic violence
An introduction to violence prevention
Self-care and boundaries for advocates workshop
Introduction to trauma and trauma informed practices
8-hour Community Advocate Training
Sign up for Spring 2026 8-Hour CAT here.
8-hour CAT is for those who are interested in community-based advocacy work and want to build skills to support survivors and engage in violence prevention in their own communities. This introductory training will provide foundational knowledge on domestic violence and anti-violence work and is for those who are ready to take action to end violence. Expect interactive workshops, opportunities for reflection, and group discussions to support you in identifying where and how you can make a difference. It consists of two hours of self-paced pre-work and six hours of in-person training.
This training will not grant participants Crisis Worker Privilege and is not for those who are planning on volunteering or working on the Steps hotline or in our shelter. Participants will be able to support Steps’ community-based volunteer needs, such as attending outreach events, tabling, or helping with fundraising activities.
This training will include:
Domestic Violence 101 presentation
An in-depth look at violence prevention approaches and strategies
Discussion around what domestic violence looks like in your community and how to take action to make a difference
Social values activity
Bystander intervention training
Activities to build skills to support survivors
Ongoing support from Steps’ community engagement team for participant led community based violence prevention activities