Course Title: Preventing Violence Against Women

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Preventing Violence Against Women

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Anastasia Powell

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3566

Course Coordinator Email: anastasia.powell@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.04.07

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This course assumes students have successfully completed foundational knowledge in one of: criminology, criminal justice, legal and dispute studies, international development, social work, youth work, or social science (such as the course Sex, Gender and Justice). Students without this assumed knowledge should consult the course coordinator prior to enrolling in this course.


Course Description

Primary prevention refers to efforts at stopping violence before it occurs, by addressing its underlying causes. Research has frequently identified gender inequality, as well as other intersecting inequalities, as the driving factors underlying violence against women in our community. This course offers an introductory understanding of: the role of gender and intersecting inequalities in driving violence against women; national, state and territory policy guiding Australian primary prevention efforts; Case studies in good practice; Primary prevention program design and evaluation; and Advocacy in primary prevention.

The course is structured to equip students with the knowledge to design activities directed at the prevention of violence against women (PVAW) in key settings including: media, education, workplaces, and sports. Students will build on this knowledge to propose their own PVAW program in a selected setting of their choice.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to: 

CLO 1: Deconstruct and reflect on the role of gender inequality and other intersecting inequalities in driving violence against women.

CLO 2: Critically examine and apply theories of socio-cultural, socio-structural, community and organisational change to the problems of gender inequality and violence.

CLO 3: Develop critical analyses of, and propose activities for, the primary prevention of violence against women.


In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Communicate effectively and professionally using a range of modes and genres suitable for stakeholders including women, children, families, bystanders, statutory agencies, government and other professionals
  • Develop appropriate ethical responses to contemporary social and policy issues relevant to domestic and family violence problems
  • Apply reflective practice and case management skills in assessing domestic and family violence situations, while demonstrating social and cultural sensitivity
  • Design and conduct respectful and inclusive professional practice and scholarly projects relating in responding to and preventing domestic and family violence


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities will include online lectures, readings and resources, as well as interactive workshop activities focused on skills development, group-based discussion and problem solving tasks. Course learning materials will be made available in a range of formats, which may include video lectures, guest speakers and online media.


Overview of Learning Resources

You will be given access to a wide range of resources through weekly set readings, available online via the course site and RMIT Library, as well as a wide range of online learning resources and extended content. These resources will include book chapters, journal articles, media articles, lecture notes, bibliographies for supplementary reading, video, and links to external websites.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes including through: online quizzes, literature review, and a report on PVAW program design.

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.