Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Content

Topics will include:

• Definition and Scope: Understanding what constitutes family violence, including physical, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse.
• Impacts on Young People and Families: Exploring short-term and long-term consequences for individuals and communities.
• Youth Work Roles: Identifying the role of youth workers in responding to family violence.
• Understanding the Dynamics: Power and control, cycle of violence, and intersectionality.
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities: Examining how culture shapes experiences and responses to violence.
• Safety and Risk Assessment: Developing and implementing structured approaches to assess risk and ensure safety.
• Trauma-Informed and Restorative Approaches: Strategies to promote healing and positive behavior change.
• Understanding Young People’s Use of Violence: Factors contributing to aggressive or violent behavior.

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

The learning and teaching approach for this unit focuses on active, student-driven learning. This method encourages students to engage deeply with real-world scenarios to develop critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and practical problem-solving skills, which are essential for youth work practice.

Students will explore the complexities of family violence and its impact on young people through lectures, case studies, and interactive discussions. The unit emphasizes a trauma-informed approach and teaches students to identify signs and effects of family violence, assess safety and risks, and implement interventions based on industry best practices.

Collaborative learning activities, including role-plays and group work allow students to practice skills in interagency collaboration, advocacy, and culturally sensitive responses. This approach supports the development of reflective and flexible approaches through immersion in practice-relevant situations that require collaborative inquiry and action-focused solutions. The inclusion of First Nations’ perspectives ensures students learn to provide holistic, culturally responsive support to diverse communities.

Reflective practice is central, enabling students to examine their values and ethical responsibilities in responding to family violence. The unit aligns with ACU’s core values of social justice, human dignity, and the common good, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, effective, and ethically sound support.