JSB286 Domestic and Family Violence


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:JSB286
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:72cp of completed study
Coordinator:Rachel King | r49.king@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

Domestic and family violence involve crimes that are pertinent to virtually all justice professions and contexts from policing to law and justice policy. They are also a central issue in health care and social services, and arise in many other employment contexts. This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to research, issues and professional practice that students will be able to apply in many areas.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Explain the dynamics and impact of domestic violence.
  2. Explain and analyse factors involved in domestic violence perpetration and victimisation.
  3. Critically reflect on the intersections between domestic violence and social categories such as race, class, age, immigration status, nationality, sexuality and gender.
  4. Evaluate information and evidence pertaining to domestic violence within a professional context.
  5. Communicate about domestic violence in engaging and informative ways to general and professional audiences.

Content

This unit will cover the following:

  • Dynamics and impact of domestic violence
  • Myths and facts about domestic violence
  • Factors involved in domestic violence perpetration and victimisation
  • How domestic violence intersects with social categories like race, class, age, immigration status, sexuality, nationality, and gender

Learning Approaches

In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:

  • lectures - live and recorded
  • workshops - face-to-face and online
  • peer and group discussions
  • readings, media and video resources.

The unit adopts an interactive  learning approach in which you are encouraged to analyse cases, debate and discuss domestic violence, reflect on personal values and explore responses to domestic violence.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

This unit uses quantitative assessment items and formative feedback via discussion with other students in class or via weekly Collaborate sessions.

Assessment

Overview

In this unit there are three assessments:

1. Case Presentation - This task analyses a case of domestic violence to produce an educational podcast exploring the impacts of domestic violence.

2. Case Review - This task builds on explorations of the dynamics and impacts of domestic violence to review a case and produce a Case Study Report.

3. Written exam - This task brings together core unit concepts to discuss domestic violence, its dynamics, impacts, causes, issues of diversity and inequality, and how to respond to and prevent domestic violence.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case Presentation

You will take on the role of an violence prevention educator producing a short podcast episode on the impacts of domestic violence, focusing on the experience of a particular victim-survivor.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions

Weight: 20
Length: 4-5 minutes
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 4
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 5

Assessment: Case review

You will take on the role of a researcher commissioned by a domestic violence organisation to analyse the experience of a victim-survivor and produce a Case Study Report on the dynamics of domestic violence. Your report is intended for professionals who may come into contact with domestic violence victims in their work, in order to raise their awareness of domestic violence.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 50
Length: 2000 words
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 8
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Assessment: Examination (written)

You will respond to a series of extended response questions. The exam will be based on unit materials.

Weight: 30
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): During central examination period
Central exam duration: 2:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Additional unit readings will be available via QUT Readings and/or links in Canvas.

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Meyer, S., and A. Frost (2019). Domestic and Family Violence: A critical introduction to knowledge and practice. London & New York: Routledge.

Recommended text(s)

Walsh, Deborah. (2019). Working with Domestic Violence: Contexts and Frameworks for Practice. Routledge.

Risk Assessment Statement

Students are advised that some content in justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

JS34 Bachelor of Justice

  1. Apply social and criminal justice principles to explain justice issues and contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Case Presentation, Case review, Examination (written)
  2. Collect and analyse evidence to inform decisions and recommendations in justice systems.
    Relates to: ULO4, Case review
  3. Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse communities and people as a Justice professional.
    Relates to: ULO3, Case review, Examination (written)
  4. Communicate justice and social issues in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
    Relates to: ULO5, Case Presentation, Case review