Interview answer

LegacyUser

I am going for a job in a women's refuge and I've been in an abusive relationship before myself which is why I want the job, but I'm not sure whether telling them this will go against me or seem in some way unprofessional.

Wondered what people thought? Leave that part out or explain that's where my passion comes from?

Fakediamond

I don’t think they will ask you directly, but they will ask what you know about the dynamics of abusive relationships. You can give an informed answer, but I wouldn’t be going into your own circumstances. You don’t need to have experienced an abusive relationship to know how to support a woman leaving one and anyway you’ll have to uphold professional boundaries in the job, otherwise you’ll be retraumatised with every case and not very effective in your job.

eviltwin

I've worked in this area before and as Fakediamond says they are unlikely to ask you directly if you have been a victim of DV but they may ask if you have any reason why you may find yourself challenged by the work. You don't have to have been personally affected to be triggered.

It is extremely challenging and difficult work particularly working in refuge so if you are successful make full use of any supervision they offer and have some self care resources for when things get bad.

As hard as it can be it's also incredibly rewarding. Good luck with your interview.

Faith

They’ll want to be sure that you can cope with the emotional demands of the job without it being damaging to yourself, so may ask questions around that.

How long have you been out if the abusive relationship? I don’t work in a DV service, but I do work in an emotionally charged environment where people who have used our services often come back to volunteer, and we’re quite strict that it can’t be less than 2 years between their experience and volunteering with us.

Sunflower 27

They may ask why you are interested working there. You could say that you have been in an abusive relationship in the past and managed to get yourself out of it and that has inspired you to help others.

There is no shame in having been in an abusive relationship. Sadly, many, many men and women have been In them. Be proud of yourself and what you have to offer.

It sounds to me like they would be very lucky to have you. Good luck!

wiggle16

I don't think it will hurt your chances to include it or not. If there's a question where it might add to the answer, there's no harm. They will see at least that you are comfortable enough in yourself about it now to bring it up.

Best of luck with the interview x

LegacyUser

I would assume that working in an environment like that requires honesty and the resilience to be able to be open about your life experience. In my experience, you'd be judged more harshly for concealing something if it comes up and it's relevant an that concealment would do you more harm than good.