Course information

Course overview

This programme synthesises psychodynamic, systemic, cognitive behavioural and social theories to examine the impact of being abusive or of being abused.

  • It focuses on practice and research from these theoretical perspectives and will consider abusiveness and its impact in different international, cultural and social contexts from childhood to older age.
  • All of our courses have a creative and innovative focus and draw on the expertise of practitioners and academics working across the field of violence and abuse.
  • The courses make use of a blended learning approach that encourages full participation in discussion and exploration as well as access to online resources.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Doireann Larkin.

What you'll study

CU71080A Working with Children in the context of domestic violence and sexual abuse

3 consecutive days of CPD training: 20-22 February 2020, 09:30 - 16:30

This course offers a psycho-social perspective on children’s experiences of domestic violence and sexual abuse. It covers current research, policy and practice pertinent to a wide range of public and third sector services. Examination of risk and safety, child protection and parenting will be central. We will consider how the intersections of race, class, gender, sexual orientation and disability exacerbate abuse. This is a highly interactive course aimed at encouraging coordinated community interventions. Participants will be offered knowledge and skills that will improve a working understanding of:

  • The physical, emotional and psychological effects of domestic violence and sexual abuse on children
  • Ways in which children adapt to coercive demands of abusing fathers in order to stay safe.
  • The impact of domestic violence on the relationship between mother and child
  • Examples of good practice in working with children, and their parents in relation to domestic violence and sexual abuse
  • Factors that improve multi-disciplinary working

CU71081A Working with Adults in the context of domestic violence and sexual abuse

3 consecutive days of CPD training: 22-24 January 2020, 09:30 - 16:30

This course offers a psycho-social perspective on adults experiencing or perpetrating domestic violence and sexual abuse. It covers current research, policy and practice pertinent to a wide range of public and third sector services. Examination of abuse related risk assessment and management will be central. It is a highly interactive aimed at encouraging coordinated community interventions. Participants will be offered knowledge and skills that will improve a working understanding of:

  • The ways in which coercion, threat and intimidation worked to force compliance with the abuser’s demands.
  • Ways in which women and children adapt to coercive demands in order to stay safe.
  • The interplay between these factors and the experience of being marginalised within society by race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender and mental or physical capacity.
  • The complex nature of post-traumatic stress and its use/abuse by perpetrators and by the health and social care sector.

CU71082A Adolescents as victims and perpetrators

3 consecutive days of CPD training: 19-21 March 2020, 09:30 – 16:30

This course explores the unique experiences of adolescent victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and sexual abuse. It covers current research, policy and practice pertinent to a wide range of public and third sector services. Examination of risk and safety, coping strategies and parenting will be central.

We will consider how the intersections of race, class, gender, sexual orientation and disability exacerbate abuse. This is a highly interactive course aimed at encouraging coordinated community interventions. Participants will be offered knowledge and skills that will improve a working understanding of:

  • The challenges of responding to bullying, relationship abuse, gang association (cyberbullying and sexting are explored)
  • Adolescent responses to domestic violence and sexual abuse as victims, perpetrators and bystanders
  • Patterns of abuse in teenage intimate partner relationships
  • Understanding young people’s violence against parents
  • Service Provision - the role of schools and parents

CU71086A The impact of trauma – distress, resilience and post-traumatic growth

3 consecutive days of CPD training: 29-30 April, and 1 May 2020, 09:30 - 16:30

This course focuses on the psychological impact of violence and abuse related trauma for both victimized individuals and their helpers. We will look into the harmful impact of trauma (e.g. PTSD, self-harm, substance misuse) and consider effective interventions. We will explore resilience and the potential for growth after trauma, comparing this to the disease model of mental health. Positive psychological interventions that support coping and facilitate positive growth will be examined. Trauma work has been linked to experiences of vicarious trauma and burnout so we will encourage participants to consider the positive psychological strategies offered as a means to develop their own self-care and resilience.

Participants will be offered knowledge and skills that will improve a working understanding of:

  • the interplay between trauma and concepts of wellbeing and mental distress in psychologically informed assessments
  • the types of behaviour associated with trauma and post-traumatic stress
  • best practice in the development and delivery of trauma-informed responses to victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse
  • the delivery of interventions that help or hinder recovery, resilience and positive growth out of trauma within the context of the field of domestic violence and sexual abuse
  • their own emotional responses to domestic violence and sexual abuse
  • effective strategies for self-care and resilience as people bearing witness to traumatic narratives.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

For 2021-22 and 2020–21, we have made some changes to how the teaching and assessment of certain programmes are delivered. To check what changes affect this programme, please visit the programme changes page.

Entry requirements

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant/related subject. You must also be able to demonstrate significant experience in either health and social care, psychological therapies, or experience from the third sector in a specialist abuse service.

You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

To find out more about your fees, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

How to apply

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

Find out more about applying.

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