This module enables health care professionals to gain and expand their knowledge of sexual offences and develop the skills and confidence to respond to disclosures.

Professional accountability, guidelines and protocols, legal and ethical issues, appropriate documentation, autonomy, competence and contemporary issues both national and global, will also be explored.

The module will facilitate the individual to relate the core content to their own clinical role.

Scheduled Learning and teaching activities (32 hours)

lectures, formative simulation, assignment tutorials, group work, problem-based learning



Guided Independent Study (168 hours)

128 hours reading, study and blackboard

40 hours assignment preparation

1. PRACTICALLY DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO A SEXUAL OFFENCE DISCLOSURE

Knowledge and Understanding

2. COMMUNICATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ONGOING CARE WITH CONSIDERATION OF CONFIDENTIALITY AND SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

Problem Solving

Communication

3. DEMONSTRATE CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE EVIDENCE BASE WHICH UNDERPINS THE POLICIES AND GUIDELINES RELATING TO SEXUAL OFFENCES

Enquiry

Analysis

4. CRITICALLY REFLECT UPON YOUR RESPONSE TO A SEXUAL OFFENCE DISCLOSURE

Reflection

A 30 mins recorded simulation session where the student responds to a disclosure of a sexual offence from a SP within a clinical area setting (LO 1 & 2)



Simulation session video will be made available to the student for the purpose of writing the reflective essay



Where students have been unable to attend the practical session, due to unforeseen events, a simulation scenario video with actors will be provided. Students will use this sample scenario for the purpose of writing the reflective essay.



A written assignment which reflects upon and critically analyses a chosen aspect of the sexual offence disclosure simulation video. It should critically appraise the evidence base and consider how this influences practice. (LO 3 & 4)



All elements must be passed.



Formative simulation session, formative feedback, scenario discussions, tutorial support and group tutorial on assignment with formative feedback on assignment plan.

Essential reading



Sanders, T. (2017)¿The Oxford Handbook of Sex Offences and Sex Offenders. 1st edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003

The Act 1997

Equality Act 2010

Mental Capacity Act 2005

Skill laboratories, Blackboard VLE, IT facilities, sample scenario video with actors.

Professional registration

Approximately 17% of the population have been victims/are survivors of sexual offences. As healthcare professionals, you are undoubtedly meeting and caring for people who have been affected by such crimes, and you may be the professional a victim/survivor turns to for help and advice. This module will explore sexual offences and develop your understanding of the crime. It will clarify your safeguarding responsibilities, enhance your clinical practice and empower you to respond to disclosures with confidence.