AC6779 - Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence/Abuse

What will I learn on this module?

During this module you will develop your knowledge and skills in supporting survivors of all types of sexual abuse. This will include critical evaluation of key theoretical concepts underpinning the nature of sexual violence/abuse. This module is aimed at and open to those that work with adults, young people and children within the health, social care, and education setting. The module aims to develop knowledge of the factors that influence the sexual violence/abuse of children, young people, and adults. You will develop a critical understanding of legislation governing the role and responsibilities of the professional in supporting, signposting, and safeguarding people.

More specifically, in this module you will explore and learn what is defined by sexual violence/abuse and the complexity of this topic (sexual violence is a term that incorporates many different sexually violent crimes). This will include in-depth analysis of sexual violence statistics; the increased rates of disclosures following high profile historic sexual abuse case and the #metoo movement; the burden of sexual violence/ abuse on immediate and long-term health, the impact on government monies and the emotional effect on professionals supporting survivors. There will be a critical exploration of gendered based abuse and sexual violence as a continuum in society; Victim blaming and disclosure - myths, unconscious bias, and assumptions surrounding sexual violence and the barriers for disclosure; explore disclosure - whom people disclose to, response in both the social and formal setting and the impact of the response on health and wellbeing. We then go into depth regarding emphasising knowledge of the links to risk, indicators, impact, legalities, signposting. Legal & Professional Frameworks: exploring the legal considerations should the case go to court – awareness of procedure CSP / expert witness Vs professional witness / giving evidence.

Throughout the module we will also touch upon: trauma focused practice, ethical, legal, personal, socio economic, environmental and cultural considerations and frameworks; current legislation and policy regarding to sexual violence / abuse; response to public enquires and serious case review; working with abusive families; empowerment, power and relationships; self-safeguarding; professional roles and discipline guidelines, inter-disciplinary and inter-agency working; collaborative working practice, sharing of information and overcoming territorial historical boundaries. You will also explore comprehensive assessments, documentation, personal conflict issues, advocacy and dealing with sensitive and difficult situations. As part of this module, we will build on skills you will already have around communication, escalating concerns, vulnerable adults, dignity and respect. We will also explore capacity and consent in complex situations.

How will I learn on this module?

This module applies Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles to remove barriers to learning and create an inclusive, flexible experience that accommodates diverse learning styles. By offering multiple ways to engage with content, varied formats for accessing and understanding material, and ample opportunities for diverse action and expression, you can develop and showcase key employability skills. Through a blend of online resources, and live seminars, the module ensures an active, authentic learning journey that supports your success in real-world contexts (La, Dyjur, & Bair, 2018). This means learning will be via a blended delivery using a combination asynchronous (30 hours of web-based resources) and synchronous (12 hours of face-to-face online seminars) learning. A ‘flipped classroom’ approach (Bergman & Sams, 2012), promotes the front loading of theoretical content as preparatory independent study provided via online supported learning (OSL) and reading, prior to the face-to-face online seminars where your understanding of concepts and application of theory will be explored. This approach to module delivery promotes active learning as it works to accommodate your learning needs and abilities by offering flexibility and direction gained from the preparatory web-based materials which are then explored and applied during the live online seminars creating new knowledge. Offering multiple ways of learning helps you to engage along with giving you the opportunity to express your learning through action and/or expression. This encourages a positive learning environment where you are likely to feel more engaged and motivated in your learning. Authentic assessment means that any assessments throughout the module will mirror real life activities that you will be faced with in your professional practice. Authentic assessment will be an on-going key feature of the module, via tasks within the web-based materials and online simulated practice learning. These will not only support your learning of the theory related to professional practice but will also support assessment literacy through developing your skills and knowledge of the assessment process. All assessments within the programme will be operated in accordance with standard operating procedures and marked and moderated in accordance with the Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA) ensuring the academic standards required for student awards are met.

The interactive use of online technologies will be designed to encourage you to critically explore experiences of sexual violence disclosure, in the light of current theory, literature and policy. You will be encouraged to learn with, from and about each other’s roles and professional perspectives, in order to promote a culture of collaboration in the professional learning environment.

Bergman, J., & Sams, A. (2012) Flip your classroom. Reach every student in every class every day. Washington D.C., International Science of Technology in Education.
La, H., Dyjur, P., & Bair, H. (2018). Universal design for learning in higher education. Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. Calgary University of Calgary

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported by the module lead who will guide your academic learning and assessment throughout the module. The module lead was involved in developing the e-learning materials, assessment exercises, and will provide some of your live online seminars, and feedback, supported by other staff. This module is supported by Blackboard Ultra and adheres to the university’s minimum standards. The site includes module information, assessment information, power-point presentations and e-learning packages, reading lists and relevant web links. Blackboard Collaborate will be used for the delivery of the live online seminars.

A discussion board is available to the cohort, through which students can post comments and ask questions of their peers throughout the duration of the module. You will have a live online group tutorial will help you prepare for the summative assessment. Your Programme Lead and Personal Tutor are also available to offer guidance on academic support throughout the programme.

The University Libraries offer an extensive collection of material, both hard copy and electronic, access to international databases and training in information retrieval. A variety of study-skills-related help sheets, and online videos can be found on the library Skills Plus site. You can also access a range of student support and wellbeing services via Student Central or by accessing the student support and wellbeing pages and Ask4Help via your electronic student portal.

You will also have an allocated personal/guidance teacher who will provide advice and support in relation to academic, procedural, and (where desired and appropriate) personal matters during the programme of study you have enrolled on. You will have access to 24/7 generic IT support and specific support from the programme team with any specific IT issues related to the e-learning package.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

On completion of this module:

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will have explored past and current legislation relating to sexual violence in adults, young people and children
2. You will have critically discussed safeguarding issues considering the legal, ethical, socioeconomic, environmental, professional & cultural implications within the wider parameters of all types of sexual violence.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will have reflected on your own professional role, responsibilities and boundaries in supporting and protecting children & adults.
4. You will have demonstrated evidence-based decision making in complex and unpredictable contexts

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will have discussed and evaluated effective relationships with learners, colleagues, service users and carers to support collaborative learning in practice in order to enhance communication networks and identify boundaries required for effective team working.

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment
Formative tests and quizzes will be embedded within the e-learning package providing immediate electronic feedback. Analysis of case studies to articulate information gained or missing from assessment process in your area of professional practice based upon current legal, ethical and professional frameworks and guidance.

You will also have the opportunity to submit a 500-word, referenced, overview of your service improvement idea. Academic supervisors will provide feedback to appraise your current level of understanding and appreciation of the concepts within the activity, to provide formative feedback for undertaking the summative assignment. (MLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Summative assignment
The summative assessment for this module will require a 2500-word service improvement assignment exploring your practice area regarding supporting survivors of sexual violence. You will choose a specific area of practice and critically reflect on exploring practice improvements.

(MLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Electronic submission will be utilised for submission of the reflective critique.

Summative feedback on final submission of the assessed work will be given in a structured format to inform future practice via my grade centre.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

During this module you will develop your knowledge and skills in supporting survivors of all types of sexual violence / abuse. This module is aimed at and open to those that work with adults, young people and children within the health, social care, and education setting. The module aims to develop knowledge of the factors that influence the sexual violence/abuse of children, young people, and adults.

More specifically, you will explore and learn: what is defined by sexual violence/abuse and the complexity of this topic; the burden of sexual violence/ abuse on health, the impact of government funding/ monies and the emotional impact on professional supporting survivors. There will be a critical exploration of gendered based abuse and sexual violence as a continuum in society; Victim blaming and disclosure, myths, unconscious bias, and assumptions surrounding sexual violence and the barriers for disclosure; whom people disclose to, response in both the social and formal setting. Legal & Professional Frameworks: exploring the legal considerations should the case go to court.