Domestic and Family Violence in Context unit (PEM301)

Online

Introduction

This unit is designed to provide police officers seeking advancement with contemporary evidence and best practice around the policing of domestic family violence. Topics to be covered include most recent research on risk factors, victim and offender characteristics and presentation, the impact of family violence on children; barriers to reporting; feedback from the public on the policing of domestic and family violence and trauma-informed policing. The unit is intended to be relevant for those familiar with the field, as well as to update their experience with contemporary principles and practices. A key component of the unit is the introduction to the management of frontline officers responding to incidents of family violence. This section will provide skills in identifying burnout, unconscious bias and other human elements which impact on the policing of this complex area.

Summary

Unit name	Domestic and Family Violence in Context
Unit code	PEM301
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Paramedicine and Public Safety
Discipline	Policing and Emergency Management
Coordinator	Doctor James Dwyer
Available as an elective?	No
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the ecological model and its implementation in the policing of domestic and family violence.
• Identify concerns with current policing policy and practice, including the use of risk assessment tools.
• Collate and assess evidence of best practices in order to identify gaps in current practice.
• Assess, coordinate, and monitor team members investigation of domestic and family violence.
• Evaluate the appropriate use of police powers and police procedures in line with best practices and the ecological model of domestic and family violence.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
091105	$2,174.00	$1,020.00	not applicable	$2,249.00

• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

PEM101 Integrity and Governance in Policing PEM102 Preventing Public Disorder & Maintaining Social Order PEM103 Workplace and Community Safety PEM104 Custodial and Coronial Oversight and Investigation PEM105 Strategic Communication, Conflict Resolution, and Leadership PEM106 Information and Communication Technologies in Policing PEM107 Law for Policing PEM201 Forensic Practice PEM202 Understanding and Responding to Interpersonal Violence PEM203 Impact of and Responses to Property Loss and Fraud PEM204 Drug Law Enforcement and Harm Minimisation PEM205 Investigative Techniques for Policing PEM206 Law Enforcement and Public Health PEM210 Applied Policing Practicum 1 PEM211 Applied Policing Practicum 2

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	This unit is delivered fully online. You will need to undertake a minimum of 6 hours of weekly individual study including online learning materials.
Assessment	Participation in weekly discussion boards. (15%)|Presentation (15%)|ecological model of family violence (30%)|place-based issue example of barriers and enablers of policing FV. (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the unit Reading List on the University Library website.
Recommended	Recommended Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the unit Reading List on the University Library website.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.