Course Title: Develop and apply knowledge of the impacts of sexual violence

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: VE 2022

Class Number: All

Class Section: All

For flexible terms and optional semesters, a Part B course guide may have been published for the entire teaching period, or for the specific class number in which you are enrolled. If there is no Part B course guide published for your specific class number, please refer to the guide for the teaching period in which you are enrolled. Enrolment Online is the definitive source for details regarding your class enrolment.

Course Code: HWSS8150C

Course Title: Develop and apply knowledge of the impacts of sexual violence

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C0052 - Course in Recognising and Responding to Sexual Violence

Course Contact: Kim Monaghan

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 2143

Course Contact Email: kim.monaghan@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

N/A

Course Description

This course describes the skills and knowledge required to work with individuals who are experiencing or have experienced sexual violence.

It focuses on understanding the forms, contexts, drivers, and risks of sexual violence with an understanding of the impact of vicarious trauma, values, and biases on practice. This course will equip workers with skills to work within legal, ethical, and trauma-informed frameworks for sexual violence.

This course applies to frontline health and community service workers and other workers providing services to adults and young people. These workers may not be specialised sexual violence practitioners.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

NAT10994001 Develop and apply knowledge of the impacts of sexual violence

Element:

1. Apply knowledge of the context and drivers of sexual violence

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Recognise the forms and contexts of sexual violence experienced by victim/survivors
1.2 Identify and analyse the factors driving perpetrator's behaviours and victim/survivors' vulnerability to sexual violence
1.3 Apply an intersectional lens to determine risk factors for experiences of sexual violence
1.4 Use language when working with victim/survivors and others that does not condone, minimise, or normalise sexual violence
1.5 Develop strategies to counter misconceptions about sexual violence when working with victim/survivors and others

Element:

2. Recognise the indicators and impacts of sexual violence

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Recognise in individuals the indicators of current or past experiences of sexual violence
2.2 Identify and analyse the immediate, short-term, and long-term impacts of perpetrators' behaviours and tactics on victim/survivors' health and wellbeing
2.3 Evaluate the impacts of victim/survivors' trauma on family, friends, and their community
2.4 Apply understanding of the impact of sexual violence on society

Element:

3. Apply legal and ethical frameworks to practice 

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Determine the criminal and civil sexual offences committed by the perpetrator/s against victim/survivors
3.2 Evaluate own legal requirements relating to mandatory reporting and/or information sharing
3.3 Evaluate duty of care requirements to victim/survivors and their families
3.4 Research and identify local legal, medical and specialist interventions and options available to victim/survivors

Element:

4. Work within a trauma-informed care and practice framework 

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Apply the principles of trauma-informed care and practice in all work with victim/survivors of sexual violence 
4.2 Apply an intersectional lens to understand trauma impacts on victim/survivors 
4.3 Develop strategies to ensure practice is culturally safe and responsive
4.4 Promote victim/survivor trust and choice about interventions and options using strength-based and person-centred approaches 

Element:

5. Reflect on perceptions 

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Recognise own physical, psychological, and emotional responses to vicarious trauma and stress
5.2 Develop and implement strategies for self-care
5.3 Reflect on own values, beliefs and attitudes to sexual violence and their potential impact on practices in working with victim/survivors
5.4 Develop and practice strategies to address own bias

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you be able to:

  • apply knowledge of the contexts and drivers of sexual violence
  • recognise the indicators and impacts of sexual violence
  • apply legal and ethical frameworks to practice
  • work within a trauma-informed care and practice framework
  • reflect on perceptions.

You will have:

  • analysed, evaluated, and reported on two instances of sexual violence
  • engaged in processes of self-reflection to identify and address own values and biases and develop strategies to prevent and manage the impacts of vicarious trauma and stress.


Details of Learning Activities

  • Online, self-paced learning including case study analyses, knowledge checks and reflection
  • Videos, readings, and independent research to explore key concepts and student's topics of interest
  • Synchronous online discussion
  • Workshopping of knowledge-based and simulated assessment tasks


Teaching Schedule

Week  

Content 

Week 1
Course Introduction
  • Pre-workshop activities

Week 2
Context and Drivers of Sexual Violence

  
  • Forms of Sexual Violence
  • Contexts of Sexual Violence
  • Prevalence of Sexual Violence in Australia
  • Drivers and Risks of Experiencing Sexual Violence
  • Culture, Language and Attitudes
  • Workshop

Week 3
Violence Impacts and Perpetrator Behaviours
  • Indicators and Effects of Sexual Violence
  • Impacts of Sexual Violence on Families and Friends
  • Effects of Sexual Violence on Communities and Society
  • Perpetrator Behaviours and Tactics
  • Workshop

Week 4
Legal and Ethical Frameworks
  • Sexual Offences in Australia
  • Reports to Police
  • Prosecution of Sexual Offences
  • Mandatory Reporting and Information Sharing
  • Practitioner Duty of Care
  • Options and Interventions for Victim/Survivors
  • Workshop

Week 5
Trauma-Informed Approaches
  • Trauma-Informed Care and Practice
  • Culturally Safe, Trauma-Informed Practices
  • Reflective Practice
  • Practitioner Vicarious Trauma and Stress
  • Practitioner Values and Bias
  • Workshop with assessment
  • Assessment Tasks 1 and 2 due

Week 6
Assessment 
  • Assessment Task 3 due


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Gender inequality and intersectionality are critical to understanding the drivers and prevalence of sexual violence. Take the Women's Health Victoria short online course Introduction to Gender Equality to further develop your knowledge. The course takes approximately 45 minutes to complete, is free and available at: 

https://womenshealthvictoria.otrainu.com/product/introduction-to-ge/.

The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through: 

  • The Learning Lab 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab 

  • The Study Support Hub  

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub 

  • English for university workshops 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course and will include knowledge questions, case study analyses and a critical reflection task. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on Canvas.


Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace.  

To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.  You will be permitted a maximum of 2 resubmits. 

You should refer to the assessment brief, available through Canvas, for full assessment criteria and due dates.

For this course, assessment tasks are workshopped each week in class, with the teacher facilitating assessment work relevant to each week's learning content. Peer and teacher feedback on work is ongoing throughout the course.

Assessment Task 1: Questions to demonstrate your essential knowledge of sexual violence. Due date: Week 5 

Assessment Task 2: Analyses of sexual violence case studies to demonstrate your ability to identify sexual violence impacts, behaviours, and legal implications.

Due date: Week 5 

Assessment Task 3: Critical reflection to identify values, biases, and responses to vicarious trauma and stress. You will develop strategies to address values and biases and for self-care. Due date: Week 6 

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are: 

CA: Competency Achieved 

NYC: Not Yet Competent 

DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required. 

Other Information

Attendance: 

Your learning experience will involve online workshop-based discussion and collaborative and simulated assessment work.  

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled workshop sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully. 

Information about your studies: 

You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students 

Assessment: 

Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment (e.g. applying for an extension of time): 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:  

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy. 

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview