Teaching Responsibility
LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:
Justice Studies
Learning Methods
Lecture
Online
Workshop
Module Offerings
4303PS-JAN-MTP
Aims
Define what is meant by vulnerability in its broadest terms. To familiarise the student with the complex nature of vulnerability, whilst providing an understanding of how situational and environmental factors, combined with personal vulnerabilities may result in a person becoming a victim and/or perpetrator. Exploring how the effective use of training, knowledge and skills, can assist in supporting those who are vulnerable and why it is necessary to use a safeguarding approach to those who are vulnerable.
Students will investigate the need for first responders to identify their own vulnerabilities when dealing with sensitive or violent incidents. Identifying the effects of stress and so understand how to develop personal resilience and coping strategies. The value and efficacy of professional help in various circumstances will also be assessed.
Introduction to theories of criminology and victimology. Specifically consider the issues around crime, victimisation and harm.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Summarise key pieces of literature around vulnerability in a policing context including the broad range of vulnerability issues affecting victims witnesses and offenders.
2.
Identify considerations and risks when dealing with a vulnerable victim, witness or suspect, linking the potential risk to communities, and identify key initial actions.
3.
Consider and compare the criminological, sociological and situational causes of overt and covert vulnerability. Explore relevant theories in criminology and victimology.
4.
Consider the multi-agency dimension as it relates to vulnerability.
Module Content
Outline Syllabus:
Theories of vulnerability and risk. The importance of identifying and dealing with vulnerability and risk. Public Protection, policies and processes around vulnerability and risk. Safeguarding. Criminology. Victimology. Policing Communities. Community engagement and problem solving.
Theories of vulnerability and risk. The importance of identifying and dealing with vulnerability and risk. Public Protection, policies and processes around vulnerability and risk. Safeguarding. Criminology. Victimology. Policing Communities. Community engagement and problem solving.
Module Overview:
This module will define what is meant by vulnerability and familiarise you with the complex nature of vulnerability, whilst providing an understanding of how situational and environmental factors, combined with personal vulnerabilities, may result in a person becoming a victim and/or perpetrator. You will explore how the effective use of training, knowledge and skills can assist in supporting those who are vulnerable and why it is necessary to use a safeguarding approach to those who are vulnerable.
This module will define what is meant by vulnerability and familiarise you with the complex nature of vulnerability, whilst providing an understanding of how situational and environmental factors, combined with personal vulnerabilities, may result in a person becoming a victim and/or perpetrator. You will explore how the effective use of training, knowledge and skills can assist in supporting those who are vulnerable and why it is necessary to use a safeguarding approach to those who are vulnerable.
Additional Information:
Lectures and other activities will provide the students with information, which they will then be able to apply practically, within the tasks and experiences incorporated into the workshops. Facilitated discussions and activities such as recognising the complex nature of vulnerability. Students will also be identifying the effects of stress and developing personal coping strategies. Where relevant and appropriate the concept of evidence based policing will be introduced and its relevance emphasised. There will also be reference to the College of Policing 'What Works' facility and how that might assist. National Policing Curriculum Indicative Content Criminology and Crime Prevention 1.1 An introduction to criminology and sociology 1.2 Crime, victimisation and harm: • Definition • Measurement • Trends and patterns • Causes 2.1 Offenders and offending: • Risk and vulnerability • Criminal careers and desistance from crime • Environmental criminology 2.2 Victims and victimology: • Risk and vulnerability • Repeat victimisation 2.3 Relationship between offenders and victims: • Overlap • Restorative justice 3.1 Definition of 'procedural justice' 3.2 Application of procedural justice Vulnerability and Risk 1.1 Definition of 'vulnerability': • 'A person is vulnerable if, as a result of their situation or circumstances, they are unable to take care or protect themselves, or others, from harm or exploitation.' 1.2 How definitions of vulnerability can vary between organisations 1.3 Importance of the police working to one specific definition of vulnerability 1.4 Different thresholds that exist for assessing vulnerability 1.5 Complex nature of vulnerability e.g. presence of some situational/environmental factors can combine with personal vulnerability resulting in a person possibly being both a victim and/or perpetrator and susceptible to a range of harms 2.1 National drivers for dealing professionally and ethically with people who are vulnerable, have suffered harm and/or are at risk of harm: • PEEL: Police Effectiveness 2015 (Vulnerability) - A National Overview • National Policing Crime Prevention Strategy 2015 • Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997-2013) • Cross-governmental approach for managing vulnerability • Increase in reporting of child sex abuse following high-profile cases • Changing demand arising from complexity of some vulnerability cases 3.1 Intrinsic personal characteristics (that may lead to harm/risk of harm) 3.2 Historical factors that can contribute to, or cause current vulnerability: • Adverse childhood experiences • Effect of impact trauma on emotional development • Link between perpetration and victimisation: the cycle of abuse 3.3 Personal vulnerabilities, when combined with situational/environmental factors, that can result in harm or risk of harm, including: • Lack of ability to understand a situation through circumstance e.g. age, mental ill-health, learning disabilities, dementia, substance misuse • Poverty • Disability • Race and/or faith • Gender identity and sexual orientation • Isolation caused by: - lack of support - language/communication barriers - coercive controlling behaviour - dependency/reliance upon abuser(s) 3.4 How the police cannot alter those personal factors that make an individual vulnerable 3.5 Why vulnerable people may be targeted by perpetrators 3.6 How a vulnerable person may become known to the police only after suffering harm, or being at risk of harm 3.7 How a vulnerable person may be at risk of coercive control by others, to commit crimes or become radicalised 4.1 Factors that, when combined with personal vulnerability, can lead to harm or a risk of harm: • Environmental influences • Situational influences • Circumstantial influences • Presence of an abuser 4.2 The relationship between the factors (e.g. situational) and the personal characteristics and vulnerabilities that may lead to harm/risk of harm to an individual 4.3 Police role i
All assessed components on this module must be successfully passed for credit to be released.
Lectures and other activities will provide the students with information, which they will then be able to apply practically, within the tasks and experiences incorporated into the workshops. Facilitated discussions and activities such as recognising the complex nature of vulnerability. Students will also be identifying the effects of stress and developing personal coping strategies. Where relevant and appropriate the concept of evidence based policing will be introduced and its relevance emphasised. There will also be reference to the College of Policing 'What Works' facility and how that might assist. National Policing Curriculum Indicative Content Criminology and Crime Prevention 1.1 An introduction to criminology and sociology 1.2 Crime, victimisation and harm: • Definition • Measurement • Trends and patterns • Causes 2.1 Offenders and offending: • Risk and vulnerability • Criminal careers and desistance from crime • Environmental criminology 2.2 Victims and victimology: • Risk and vulnerability • Repeat victimisation 2.3 Relationship between offenders and victims: • Overlap • Restorative justice 3.1 Definition of 'procedural justice' 3.2 Application of procedural justice Vulnerability and Risk 1.1 Definition of 'vulnerability': • 'A person is vulnerable if, as a result of their situation or circumstances, they are unable to take care or protect themselves, or others, from harm or exploitation.' 1.2 How definitions of vulnerability can vary between organisations 1.3 Importance of the police working to one specific definition of vulnerability 1.4 Different thresholds that exist for assessing vulnerability 1.5 Complex nature of vulnerability e.g. presence of some situational/environmental factors can combine with personal vulnerability resulting in a person possibly being both a victim and/or perpetrator and susceptible to a range of harms 2.1 National drivers for dealing professionally and ethically with people who are vulnerable, have suffered harm and/or are at risk of harm: • PEEL: Police Effectiveness 2015 (Vulnerability) - A National Overview • National Policing Crime Prevention Strategy 2015 • Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997-2013) • Cross-governmental approach for managing vulnerability • Increase in reporting of child sex abuse following high-profile cases • Changing demand arising from complexity of some vulnerability cases 3.1 Intrinsic personal characteristics (that may lead to harm/risk of harm) 3.2 Historical factors that can contribute to, or cause current vulnerability: • Adverse childhood experiences • Effect of impact trauma on emotional development • Link between perpetration and victimisation: the cycle of abuse 3.3 Personal vulnerabilities, when combined with situational/environmental factors, that can result in harm or risk of harm, including: • Lack of ability to understand a situation through circumstance e.g. age, mental ill-health, learning disabilities, dementia, substance misuse • Poverty • Disability • Race and/or faith • Gender identity and sexual orientation • Isolation caused by: - lack of support - language/communication barriers - coercive controlling behaviour - dependency/reliance upon abuser(s) 3.4 How the police cannot alter those personal factors that make an individual vulnerable 3.5 Why vulnerable people may be targeted by perpetrators 3.6 How a vulnerable person may become known to the police only after suffering harm, or being at risk of harm 3.7 How a vulnerable person may be at risk of coercive control by others, to commit crimes or become radicalised 4.1 Factors that, when combined with personal vulnerability, can lead to harm or a risk of harm: • Environmental influences • Situational influences • Circumstantial influences • Presence of an abuser 4.2 The relationship between the factors (e.g. situational) and the personal characteristics and vulnerabilities that may lead to harm/risk of harm to an individual 4.3 Police role i
All assessed components on this module must be successfully passed for credit to be released.