SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Catalog description

This course will examine the complicated nature and dynamics of sexual violence (SV). The course will begin with a general presentation of sexual violence, such as definitions and the nature, characteristics, and extent of SV. We will also consider the impact of doing "sexual violence" work on criminal justice and victim service practitioners (e.g., vicarious trauma) and the importance of self-care. Next, various tools to measure SV, sources of SV data, and measurement issues will be discussed. Then, we will move on to the major focus of this class - the historical development and evolution of different legislative, criminal justice system, and victim service system responses to sexual violence. Finally, we will examine some of the responses to sexual violence that have been generated outside of formal systems of care.