module specification

 This module will focus on forms of sexual violence in child and adulthood.  We will address: incidence, prevalence and reporting; theoretical and explanatory frameworks; impacts and meaning for victims/survivors; persistence and change with respect to legal frameworks, the justice system and support services; perpetrators and approaches to prevention.

This module will:
- explore the extent and forms of sexual violence in child and adulthood;
- critically examine theoretical, conceptual and explanatory frameworks; 
- locate legal reform, support services and policy development in historical and comparative contexts;
- examine the impacts and consequences for individuals and for gender and generational relations;
- explore prevention and work with perpetrators in context of contemporary sexual norms and cultures.

Theory, concepts and boundaries LO1, LO3, LO4
Sociological, psychological and biological theories of sexuality and sexual crime, with an emphasis on feminist perspectives; definitions and overlaps between rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexual abuse; boundary issues between consent and non-consent, acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, including in the context of changing sexual cultures. 

Prevalence, impact and meanings LO1, LO3, LO4
Prevalence studies - methods and findings; debates on who defines 'rape' and how; reporting and seeking help; the framings of victim/survivor, trauma and harm; cultural constructs of honour, stigma and self-blame; constructions of identity in the aftermath of sexual violence and how women and children create personal safety

Law and the Criminal Justice Systems LO2
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 will form a framework for exploring law reform, and comparative data on attrition will provide a basis for explorations of commonalities and differences in international approaches to adult rape and sexual abuse in childhood.

Support services in historical and comparative contexts LO2, LO3
Emergence and constitution of rape crisis centres, survivors’ groups, victim support and children's charities within the UK and comparator countries.  The themes of professionalisation, assimilation and social change will be addressed, alongside what we know about good practice.

Perpetrators and prevention LO1, LO4
The normalisation of aspects of the continuum of sexual violence will be contrasted with social constructions of sex offenders, especially the 'paedophile' and 'serial rapist'. Links between pornography and sexual violence will be explored. A final session will address prevention, with a focus on international campaigns and approaches.

This module is delivered over 6 days, 10am -5pm   Three blocks of 2 days will be spread over the teaching semester of 11 weeks.  
Case study material will be supplied, as well as recommended reading to support each session.

 By the end of the module students should be able to:
1. develop and present an argument using key concepts and contemporary research data;
2. critically assess changing legislative, policy and practice frameworks; 
3. recognise the similarities and differences between a range of forms of sexual violence in childhood and adulthood;
4. draw on and apply explanatory frameworks and social science concepts.

This will consist of an individual presentation and an essay.
For the 10 minute presentation students will be able to choose from a list of statements reflecting populist positions and are to use concepts and research data to address the accuracy of the assertion.   The presentation will be assessed against learning outcome 1, and will take place on Day 5. 
For the essay, a list of topics will be supplied on Day 3 and will be assessed against learning outcomes 1 to 4. 
Students must pass on aggregate.
Coursework 100%
Oral presentation followed by a written paper of 3,500 - 4,000 words

 Core Readings:
Brown, J. & Walklate, S. (2011) (eds) Handbook on Sexual Violence London: Routledge. 
Campbell, R. (2002) Emotionally involved: The impact of researching rape New York: Routledge.
Factora-Borchers. L (Ed) (2014) Dear Sister: Letters From Survivors of Sexual Violence. AKbooks.
Gavey, N. (2005) Just Sex? The Cultural Scaffolding of Rape London: Routledge.
Kennedy Bergen, R.L., Edleson, J.L. and Renzetti, C.M. (eds) (2005) Violence Against Women: Classic Papers. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. 
Horvath, M.A.H. and Brown, J (2009) Rape: Challenging Contemporary Thinking Cullompton: Willan.
Jordan, J. (2008) Serial Survivors: Women’s narratives of surviving rape Sydney: Federation Press. 
Kelly, L. (1988) Surviving Sexual Violence Cambridge: Polity Press.
Martin, P.Y. (2005) Rape Work: Victims, Gender and Emotions in Organization and Community Context. Abingdon: Routledge.
Phillips, M (2016) Beyond Blurred Lines: Rape Culture in Popular Media. New York, Rowman & Littlefied.
Reavey, P. & Warner, S. (eds) (2003) New Feminist Stories of Child Sexual Abuse, London: Routledge.
Westmarland, N. & Gangoli, G. (2011) (eds) International Approaches to Rape Bristol: Policy Press.

Additional Readings:
Anonymous (2006) A Woman in Berlin, London: Virago.
Cameron, D. and Frazier, E. (1987) The Lust to Kill New York: New York University Press.
Itzin, C (2000) Home Truths about Child Sexual Abuse: Influencing Policy and Practice – a Reader London: Routledge.
Jordan, J. (2004) The Word of a Woman? Police, Rape and Belief Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Kelly, L., Lovett, J. and Regan, L. (2005) A Gap or a Chasm? Attrition in reported rape cases, Home Office Research Study 293 London: Home Office. Available from: http://paladinservice.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/gap-or-chasm-rape-report.pdf
Nelson, S. (2016) Tackling Child Sexual Abuse: Radical Approaches to Prevention, Protection and Support. Bristol: Policy Press.
MacKinnon, C.A. (2006) Are Women Human? And Other International Dialogues Cambridge: The Belknap Press.
Whittier, N. (2009) The Politics of Child Sexual Abuse: Emotions, Social Movements and the State. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Journals:
Child Abuse Review
Critical Social Policy
Feminist Media Studies
Feminist Review
Feminist Theory
Journal of Sexual Aggression
Violence Against Women
Women’s Studies International Forum

Websites:
Centre for Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse https://www.csacentre.org.uk/
Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit  http://cwasu.org/
End Violence Against Women Coalition http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/
European Institute for Gender Equality http://eige.europa.eu/
Imkaan https://www.imkaan.org.uk/
Nia Project http://www.niaendingviolence.org.uk/
Open Democracy 50:50  https://www.opendemocracy.net/5050
Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/
Rape Crisis England and Wales https://rapecrisis.org.uk/
Rights of Women http://rightsofwomen.org.uk/
The Consent Collective https://www.consentcollective.com/

Electronic Databases:
Academic Search Complete
Care Knowledge
JSTOR
Lexis Library
Oxford Journals Archive
PsycARTICLES
PsycINFO
Sage journals online
Science Direct
Social Care Online
Web of Science
Zetoc

Social Media Sources
#MeToo
#TimesUp