JSQ203 Reducing Lethal Risk
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 code: | JSQ203 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | JSN203 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,216 |
Unit Outline: Session 1 2025, QUT Online, Online
| Unit code: | JSQ203 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | JSN203 |
Overview
This unit aims to provide knowledge based on the latest research about the risks and characteristics of domestic homicide to inform professional practice and build capacity for action or intervention to prevent violence. Domestic and family homicides comprise a significant proportion of all homicides in Queensland and a significant proportion of all homicides of women worldwide. It is essential to integrate research evidence into professional practice as a key to identifying, assessing and mitigating domestic homicide.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Research and discuss the relationship between domestic violence and lethal risk (Course Learning Outcomes 1.1, 1.3, 5.1, 5.2).
- Apply evidence-based tools for risk assessment to real-world cases (CLOs 3.3, 5.3).
- Identify strategies for mitigating the risk of lethal and other violence. (CLOs 2.2, 3.1, 5.3).
- Analyse evidence from real world scenarios, including the application of independent judgment (CLOs 5.1, 5.2, 5.3).
- Advocate on behalf of victims through effective written communication (CLOs 2.1, 2.3).
- Apply a trauma-informed approach to recognise and respond to the needs of clients (CLOs 3.2).
Content
1. Homicide: such as domestic violence homicide, suicide, and homicide/suicide, collateral killings and their relationship to homicide in general.
2. Lethal risk assessment and mitigation: such as risk assessments, safety planning, strangulation, and specific risks associated with separation/divorce.
3. Death investigation and domestic violence fatality reviews: including their mission, procedures, past findings and best practices.
Learning Approaches
This unit is offered to online students only. The delivery mode is via self-guided modules with weekly online activities, recorded presentations and readings. Students will be able to discuss the content with their peers and the academic through discussion forums, providing them with feedback on their understanding and supporting them in their learning.
The modules are designed using a trauma-informed approach as proposed by SAMHSA (2014) that incorporates safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment, voice and choice, and responsiveness to cultural, historical and gender issues.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Written feedback will be provided on submitted assessment.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment for this unit is both formative and summative. This unit uses qualitative assessment items and formative assessment feedback provided via online tutorials.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Identifying Risks
Students will be required to identify 3 imminent and lethal risks, which will be expanded upon in their risk assessment report for Assessment 2. The risks identified will be based on scenarios where there is the threat of lethal risk, using criteria provided.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Risk Assessment Report
You will be required to complete a risk assessment report on scenarios where there is the threat of lethal risk, using the risk assessment tool provided.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Risk mitigation plan
You will be required to develop a safety plan based on the report you constructed for Assessment 2.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
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
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Johnson, C H (2003). Come with Daddy: Child Murder-Suicide after Family Breakdown. Crawley, WA: University of Western Australia Press.
Websdale, N (1999). Understanding Domestic Homicide. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JQ12 Graduate Certificate in Domestic Violence Responses
- Multidisciplinary theories and perspectives on domestic violence
Relates to: ULO1, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report - Impacts of domestic violence on individuals, families and communities
Relates to: ULO1, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report - Effective written communication skills for a range of audiences
Relates to: ULO5, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Plans for negotiation, collaboration and networking with professionals and agencies
Relates to: ULO3, Risk mitigation plan - Advocating for victims/survivors
Relates to: ULO5, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Appropriate and professional responses to victims/survivors
Relates to: ULO3, Risk mitigation plan - Trauma-informed approaches
Relates to: ULO6, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Use of professional tools for identification, intervention and prevention of domestic violence
Relates to: ULO2, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Critical reflection and analysis skills
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Synthesis of information from a variety of sources
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Problem solving in relation to real world issues
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan
JQ45 Master of Justice
- Critically analyse research, data and evidence and apply to justice practices and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Design approaches for working with a plurality of diverse stakeholders and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO6, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Evaluate complex and sensitive problems of justice to inform evidence-based responses.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Apply a range of communication modes to professionally and strategically interpret and convey critical information to diverse stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO5, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan
Unit Outline: Session 3 2025, QUT Online, Online
| Unit code: | JSQ203 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | JSN203 |
Overview
This unit equips graduates with specialised, advanced knowledge of the risks and characteristics of domestic homicide, drawing from the latest research to inform professional practice and enhance intervention and prevention efforts. You will gain an integrated understanding of the key factors contributing to domestic and family homicides.
Throughout the unit, you will develop expert cognitive and technical skills, enabling you to critically analyse, synthesise, and reflect on complex evidence related to domestic homicide. You will also learn to research and apply established theories to inform practice, enhancing your ability to assess and mitigate risks associated with domestic homicide.
By the end of the unit, you will be able to independently interpret and communicate specialised knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences. This will demonstrate your autonomy, expert judgment, and professional responsibility as a practitioner or scholar in the field.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically analyse the relationship between domestic violence and lethal risk, researching and applying established scholarship
- Apply evidence-based tools for risk assessment to real-world cases
- Identify and reflect on strategies for mitigating the risk of lethal and other violence
- Analyse evidence from real world scenarios, including the application of expert judgment
- Advocate on behalf of victim-survivors through effective written communication to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Apply a trauma-informed approach to recognise and respond to the needs of clients
Content
1. Homicide: such as domestic violence homicide, suicide, and homicide/suicide, collateral killings and their relationship to homicide in general.
2. Lethal risk assessment and mitigation: such as risk assessments, safety planning, strangulation, and specific risks associated with separation/divorce.
3. Death investigation and domestic violence fatality reviews: including their mission, procedures, past findings and best practices.
Learning Approaches
This unit is offered to online students only. The delivery mode is via self-guided modules with weekly online activities, recorded presentations and readings. Students will be able to discuss the content with their peers and the academic through discussion forums, providing them with feedback on their understanding and supporting them in their learning.
The modules are designed using a trauma-informed approach as proposed by SAMHSA (2014) that incorporates safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment, voice and choice, and responsiveness to cultural, historical and gender issues.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Written feedback will be provided on submitted assessment.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment for this unit is both formative and summative. This unit uses qualitative assessment items and formative assessment feedback provided via online tutorials.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Identifying Risks
Students will be required to identify 3 imminent and lethal risks, which will be expanded upon in their risk assessment report for Assessment 2. The risks identified will be based on scenarios where there is the threat of lethal risk, using criteria provided.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Risk Assessment Report
You will be required to complete a risk assessment report on scenarios where there is the threat of lethal risk, using the risk assessment tool provided.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Risk mitigation plan
You will be required to develop a safety plan based on the report you constructed for Assessment 2.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
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
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Johnson, C H (2003). Come with Daddy: Child Murder-Suicide after Family Breakdown. Crawley, WA: University of Western Australia Press.
Websdale, N (1999). Understanding Domestic Homicide. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JQ12 Graduate Certificate in Domestic Violence Responses
- Multidisciplinary theories and perspectives on domestic violence
Relates to: ULO1, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report - Impacts of domestic violence on individuals, families and communities
Relates to: ULO1, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report - Effective written communication skills for a range of audiences
Relates to: ULO5, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Plans for negotiation, collaboration and networking with professionals and agencies
Relates to: ULO3, Risk mitigation plan - Advocating for victims/survivors
Relates to: ULO5, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Appropriate and professional responses to victims/survivors
Relates to: ULO3, Risk mitigation plan - Trauma-informed approaches
Relates to: ULO6, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Use of professional tools for identification, intervention and prevention of domestic violence
Relates to: ULO2, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Critical reflection and analysis skills
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Synthesis of information from a variety of sources
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Problem solving in relation to real world issues
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan
JQ35 Graduate Diploma in Prevention and Responses to Gendered Violence
- Analyse research and data related to domestic and sexual violence.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO4, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Design approaches for working with a plurality of diverse stakeholders and communities affected by domestic and sexual violence.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO6, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Evaluate gendered violence problems and contexts to inform contextually relevant and evidence-based responses.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Apply a range of communication modes to professionally and strategically convey critical information about domestic and sexual violence to diverse stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO5, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan
JQ45 Master of Justice
- Critically analyse research, data and evidence and apply to justice practices and contexts.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Design approaches for working with a plurality of diverse stakeholders and communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, ULO6, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Evaluate complex and sensitive problems of justice to inform evidence-based responses.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, ULO6, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Examine how ethics, intersectionality and contextual factors converge to impact on and shape social justice issues.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, ULO6, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report, Risk mitigation plan - Conduct independent ethical research on specialised and contemporary justice issues and practices.
Relates to: ULO1, Identifying Risks, Risk Assessment Report