Domestic Violence Course 2010—A Report

The course was presented over a period of four weeks. The sessions were for approximately two hours. Four U3A members joined the group.

The areas covered were as follows:

1. Feminist Theory and Practice (an outline)
2. Explanation of domestic violence
3. The dynamics of domestic violence
4. The effects of domestic violence on children
5. The legal/Court issues e.g. taking out an AVO and family law implications
6. Associated issues of loss/grief, addictions, mental and physical illness, poverty and homelessness.
7. The difficulties experienced by parents who have been raised in care/institutions.
8. Behaviour types e.g. assertive, aggressive and passive.
9. Parenting Styles: Authoritarian and Permissive
10. Abuse of the elderly

The group was encouraged to participate, ask questions and share their knowledge. Notes were provided at each session. The section of the abuse of the elderly was brief as it is an area I have not worked in. It would have been good to have a guest speaker for this section, but due to the small numbers present it was not an option.

Initially I was apprehensive about presenting the course due to the highly emotive issues it can raise for participants. My concern did not become an issue.

The verbal feedback I received from the group was that they had benefited from the experience and learned about the wider implications of violence in our society i.e. the links between personal/private violence and the wider politics of violence against women and children.

Thank you for inviting me to present this class.