LAW5469 · Family violence, gender and law

Overview

This unit focuses legal responses to the pervasive problem of family violence. It considers the nature and adequacy of our laws in preventing, identifying and responding to gendered family violence. The unit is structured around four themes • gender, violence and prevention • separation • children and • harm You will examine areas of law relevant to family violence issues and legal processes designed to prevent and respond to family violence issues including family law, criminal law, civil protection orders and human rights law. A focus of attention will be on the appropriateness and quality of various formal and informal processes in cases of family violence. You will also explore the role of legal professionals in the prevention, identification, mitigation, and punishment of family violence. Drawing from knowledge gained in the unit, you will develop a law and policy reform research report supported by the Unit Coordinator, with input from other staff as appropriate.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Identify relevant areas of law appropriate to a range of family violence matters and articulate the complex interaction between these areas of law.
2. Evaluate the appropriateness of both formal and informal processes in family violence matters including litigation, mediation and restorative processes.
3. Outline the skills and knowledge required of lawyers to work effectively, ethically and collaboratively with other professionals in matters of family violence.
4. Make recommendations for law and/or policy reform which critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of law in preventing and responding to family violence.

Workload

24 contact hours per teaching period (either intensive, semi-intensive or semester long, depending on the Faculty resources, timetabling and requirements). You will be expected to do reading set for class, and to undertake additional research and reading applicable to a 6 credit point unit.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.