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Unit outline_

LAWS6105: Child Sexual Abuse: Diverse Perspectives

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study examines the socio-legal complexities of responding to child sexual abuse in society. The unit presents students with a theoretical and multidisciplinary framework for understanding and evaluating contemporary issues relevant to child sexual abuse. More specifically the unit of study will analyse the nature of child sexual abuse and the underlying dynamics of such victimisation. Students will critically evaluate different strategies and models directed at identification and prevention of child sexual abuse and critically analyse legal responses to child sexual victimisation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rita Shackel, rita.shackel@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Judy Cashmore, judith.cashmore@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Written paper
Written task
20% - To be added by the unit coordinator
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation Class participation/presentation
Engagement
20% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Research essay
Essay
60% Week 08
Due date: 21 Oct 2020 at 11:00
4500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work receiving a high distinction grade will generally exhibit the following characteristics:
• Completely answers the question.
• Contains striking originality of approach or analysis.
• Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research
required).
• Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed.
• Is otherwise exceptional in some way.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work receiving a distinction grade will generally exhibit the following characteristics:
• Completely answers the question.
• Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues.
• Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument.
• Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented
argument.
• Generally well expressed and free from errors.
• Has a clear structure and is well articulated.

Credit

65 - 74

Work receiving a credit grade will generally exhibit the following characteristics:
• Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question.
• Contains no significant errors
• Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues.
• Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues.
• Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.

Pass

50 - 64

Work receiving a pass grade will generally exhibit the following characteristics:
• Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument.
• Contains some significant errors.
• Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues.
• Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question.
• Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase.
• Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis.
• Adequate expression.
• Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and
satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject
area.

Fail

0 - 49

Work may fail for any or all of the following reasons:
• Does not answer the question.
• Contains significant or numerous errors.
• Few or no identifiable arguments.
• Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant.
• Lack of research or analysis.
• Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or
structure.
• Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the
assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, which has not been granted an extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per calendar day or part thereof.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to child sexual abuse and the field of research Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Impact and sequelae of child sexual abuse Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 The dynamics of child sexual abuse Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Child sexual abuse in child welfare and family law cases Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Child sexual abuse and the criminal law Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Issues in investigating and interviewing children in child sexual abuse cases Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 The prosecution of child sexual assault in Australia Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Challenges facing child witnesses - special measures, witness assistance and intermediaries Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Recording evidence and evidentiary issues in child sexual abuse cases Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Institutional child sexual abuse, care and church-based abuse and historical abuse Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Sexual abuse - multidisciplinary approaches Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Responding to child sexual abuse – contemporary issues in prevention, education, and treatment of offenders & sexually abusive children Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Please refer to information on Canvas.

Word count penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will exclude bibliography; footnote numbers; footnote citation; cover page and include body text; headings and sub-headings; quotations; anything other than numbers and citations in footnotes.

Referencing: Students may use either: 

  1. the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) see About the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (‘AGLC’). See also the library guide Referencing and Citation Styles: AGLC4,  or
  2. a social science style such as American Psychological Association (6th or 7th) or Harvard.

The main requirement is consistency of style according to the chosen referencing and citation style.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Refer to Canvas for details

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate understanding of the nature of child sexual abuse, its sequelae and impacts by drawing on relevant multidisciplinary perspectives, knowledge and the findings of research
  • LO2. demonstrate a theoretical and multidisciplinary understanding of contemporary issues related to child sexual abuse prevention and intervention
  • LO3. demonstrate understanding of the needs of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and a capacity to critically evaluate how these needs have been responded to by society generally, and through legal and justice systems
  • LO4. demonstrate capacity to critically evaluate relevant socio-legal research, policy and other materials related to child sexual abuse and societal responses to child sexual abuse

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Some changes have been made since the last time it was offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.