Description:

A description and causal analysis of the different physical, psychological, and sexual abuse acts that may occur within the primary family unit will be provided in this course. The study will include possible causative factors; psychological and social effects on the various family members; psychological, social and legal implications; treatments; and the relationship between abuse and crime. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Define the different aspects of family violence.
2. Explain inter-generational effects of family violence.
3. Relate problems of the legal definitions of family violence and the legal system’s handling crimes associated with domestic abuse.
4. Explain socio-cultural risks of family violence.
5. List and explain conditions most general to family violence situations.
6. Explain the psychological, social, fiscal, and physical complications faced by victims of domestic abuse in reporting the problem.
7. Explain why abused persons, regardless of age, continue to live in abusive situations.
8. Explain the particulars of child, elder, and partner abuse.
9. Explain the legal and moralistic roles played by schools, doctors, and society members in combating family violence.
10. Discuss present and future trends of societal reactions and treatment of the abuser.
11. Discuss the unique problems associated with the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault crimes.
12. Discuss the immediate and long term effects of sexual violence on the victim.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Child Abuse and Neglect
   A. Define physical child abuse  
   B. Explain the dynamics and prevalence of physical child abuse
   C. Discuss causes and consequences of physical child abuse
   D. List and explain the indicators of physical child abuse
   E. Define sexual abuse and incest
   F. List and explain causes of sexual abuse
   G. Describe the victims and the varied effects of sexual abuse
   H. List the categories of sexual offenders and their rationale for the
abuse
   I. Discuss treatment vs. imprisonment, giving pros and cons of each
   J. Identify the types of child neglect
   K. Identify common causes and indicators of child neglect
   L. Define failure to thrive syndrome and identify the characteristics
II. Spousal Abuse
   A. Discuss the scope of the problem
   B. Profile the victim of domestic violence
   C. Describe the effects on the children of domestic violence
   D. Profile the perpetrators - cause and effect
   E. Explain alternatives available to police when responding to domestic
violence calls
   F. Discuss the types of restraining orders and the function of each
type
   G. Describe changes that must be made in the future to prevent domestic
violence
III. Women and Sexual Violence
   A. Cite the law regarding sex crimes
   B. Discuss the causes of sexual assault and the types of perpetrators
   C. Explain the distinction between stranger, marital and acquaintance
rape
   D. Discuss the consequences of sexual assault on the victim
   E. Define stalking both literally and legally
   F. Identify the different types of stalkers and their motivations
IV. Issues in Family Violence
   A. Discuss the causes and consequences of elder abuse
   B. Discuss the victim’s rights movement and the legislation that has
resulted from it

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Four Unit Exams
One Comprehensive Final Exam
A research paper on an approved topic or 20 hours of service learning

Caveats:

1. Students will need basic word processing and Internet searching skills for the completion of some papers, exercises and projects.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.