Why study this course?
If you work in specialised services for women and children who have experienced sexual violence then this course is an ideal step to expand your understanding and knowledge. It's aimed at those working as policymakers or delivering services at local, regional or national levels, as well as those who are intending to establish careers in these sectors.
This course is delivered by specialist lecturers and provides a comprehensive introduction to theory, research, policy and practice. On completion, it can serve as a stepping stone towards a postgraduate qualification.
More about this course
The course will focus on forms of sexual violence in childhood and adulthood, exploring topics including:
- incidence
- prevalence and reporting
- theoretical and explanatory frameworks
- impacts and meaning for victims/survivors
- persistence and change with respect to legal frameworks
- the justice system and support services
- perpetrators and approaches to prevention
By the end of this course, you'll be able to:
- develop and present an argument using key concepts and contemporary research data
- critically assess changing legislative, policy and practice frameworks
- recognise the similarities and differences between a range of forms of sexual violence in childhood and adulthood
- draw on and apply explanatory frameworks and social science concepts
Assessment
If you're taking this course as a module on the Woman and Child Abuse MA you will be assessed and accredited at an MA level. To gain the 20 credits for the course, you must pass both an individual presentation and an essay.
If you're taking this course as a short course, assessment is not compulsory.
Fees and key information
Who's this course for?
Our courses are aimed at professionals currently working in the statutory or voluntary sector who wish to:
- conduct internal evaluation, monitoring and small-scale research projects
- develop and extend specialist services dealing with child and/or woman abuse
- undertake policy development at a local, regional or national level where you have responsibility for delivering support and advocacy services, coordinating multi-agency forums and/or improving the response of the criminal justice and/or health sectors
- deliver government and/or agency policy commitments for safeguarding children, addressing sexual violence in childhood and adulthood, incidence, prevalence and reporting and other forms of violence against women and children.
Course structure
This course will be delivered in class over six days from 10am to 5pm.
Three blocks of two days will be spread over a few weeks. A structured programme of formal lectures, exercises and small group discussions will provide the framework for teaching and learning.
Case study material will be supplied, as well as recommended reading to support each session.
The course will explore the following:
- the extent and forms of sexual violence in child and adulthood
- critical examination of theoretical, conceptual and explanatory frameworks
- location of legal reform, support services and policy development in historical and comparative contexts
- an examination of the impacts and consequences for individuals and for gender and generational relations
- the prevention and work with perpetrators in the context of contemporary sexual norms and cultures
- sexual abuse in childhood, rape and sexual assault of adults, sexual exploitation including pornography, prostitution, trafficking and other aspects of the sex industry and sexual harassment.
Course content will cover:
- Definitions and prevalence
- Impacts and meanings
- Legislative frameworks and the criminal justice response
- Sexualised cultures
- Perpetrators
What our students say
"The course exceeded my original hopes and expectations. The knowledge of the staff within the unit was not only academic but was also informed by frontline work in the violence against women sector. This experience gave a depth and a passion to the lectures and course materials."
"The course has been rigorous and thorough and very enlightening. It strengthened my academic reading and writing and vastly improved my knowledge of the subject. The quality of the teaching is excellent."
"It has really shaped my way of working and given me so much important knowledge and awareness, and a conviction that we can all make a difference."
Where this course can take you
Former students have gone on to:
- work in specialist support services for women and children who have experienced violence
- jobs in research on women, children and violence against women
- work in social care settings, ie mental health and social work
- lead on policy on violence against women and/or child abuse
- set up non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in their country of origin to support women's rights
- undertake PhDs
How to apply
Please email schooladmin@londonmet.ac.uk for further details on how to apply to the course
The cost for this course is £885. Please pay online through our eShop.
For more information on course content, please contact the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit on email to s.dhaliwal1@londonmet.ac.uk
When to apply
There is no official closing date for this course but you are advised to apply as early as possible, as we will only consider your application if there are places available.