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Preparing human service professionals for work in the fields of gender‐related violence: a study in Australia
Author(s) -
Vinson T.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of social welfare
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1468-2397
pISSN - 0907-2055
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-2397.1996.tb00140.x
Subject(s) - psychology , domestic violence , social work , curriculum , sexual violence , welfare , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , social psychology , clinical psychology , criminology , medicine , pedagogy , political science , medical emergency , law
A recent Australian project surveyed the coverage of domestic and sexual violence in first degree courses in social work and welfare, psychology, nursing and medicine, and then, on the basis of the findings, designed a range of educational packages that meet curriculum deficiencies in ways consistent with the expressed preferences of the academics surveyed. The initial survey revealed that psychology schools generally had a good coverage of relevant psychological theories, but not so the relevant sociological perspectives, gender and power issues. Nursing schools gave only sparse coverage to gender‐related violence, with the greatest attention being paid to appropriate practical responses to disclosures of child sexual assault. The medical schools emphasized recognition of behavioral and physical indicators of violence and appropriate legal and medical procedures. Gender and power issues were neglected, a shortcoming less evident in the social work and welfare courses. The latter generally had a good coverage of relevant psychological and sociological perspectives, the recognition of domestic and sexual violence and appropriate practical responses to disclosure of its occurrence. The project has produced four educational packages covering domestic violence, child sexual assault and possible effects in adult life, adult sexual assault, and post‐traumatic stress disorder. The design and content of the packages are described in the article.