EPN-V2

BV1400 Psychosocial perspectives – Child neglect, violence and sexual abuse Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Psykososiale perspektiver – omsorgssvikt, vold og seksuelle overgrep
Study programme
Bachelor Programme in Child Care and Welfare
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Course history

Introduction

This course provides an introduction to topics related to children and young people in vulnerable life situations. Core topics are the different impacts of neglect, domestic violence and sexual abuse, and the students will gain knowledge of the consequences of violence and sexual abuse for the child’s development. The course also provides knowledge of how these topics are handled by professionals in the field of child care and welfare.

The teaching programme ‘The Same Child - Different Arenas’ (INTER1100) will be taught at the start of the course. See INTERACT’s website for a more detailed description of the content of INTER1100: https://www.oslomet.no/forskning/forskningsprosjekter/interact

Language of instruction is Norwegian.

Required preliminary courses

None.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

  • has acquired understanding and knowledge from research and the field of practice of different types of child neglect, violence and sexual abuse
  • has knowledge of the psychological consequences of being subjected to neglect, domestic violence and sexual abuse as a child
  • has knowledge of risk and protection factors related to neglect, violence and sexual abuse
  • has knowledge of how child welfare officers can contribute to identifying and helping children who have experienced violence and sexual abuse
  • has knowledge of how neglect, violence and sexual abuse can be understood in light of different theoretical perspectives and disciplines

Skills

The student

  • can refer to knowledge of neglect, violence and sexual abuse when working on issues related to child care and welfare
  • can reflect on the relationship between neglect, violence and sexual abuse and gender, ethnicity, religion and view of life, functional impairment, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and age

General competence

The student

  • has insight into relevant issues related to neglect, violence and sexual abuse
  • can share points of views about why and in which ways neglect, violence and sexual abuse are relevant to the practice of child care and welfare
  • can reflect on their own behaviour when interacting with others

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching takes place with in-person attendance on campus, and the course is taught through lectures, self-study, group work and other teaching methods as needed.

Course requirements

The following compulsory activity must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

  • Coursework 1: skills training in professional interaction (dialogue seminar) lasting 4 days 

The minimum attendance requirement is 80%. If a student’s absence exceeds 20% but is lower than 40%, a compensatory coursework requirement will be set. The coursework requirement must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If a student’s absence exceeds 40%, they lose the right to take the exam. 

Assessment

Language of instruction: Norwegian

Trauma is a public health issue, and for individuals with trauma disorders to receive proper treatment, mental health workers in specialized and municipal health and care services need updated knowledge.

This course provides an introduction to what trauma is and how traumatic events early in life affect psychological development, and mental and physical health later in life. There is a focus on understanding how stressors such as violence, substance abuse, and mental illness in the family, or abuse and displacement, affect children and adults. The course also covers prevention and working methods for risk assessment, prevention, and management of violence.

The aim of the course is to develop students' understanding, skills, and relational competence in mental health, substance abuse, and addiction work to be able to identify, assess, and interact with individuals experiencing psychological reactions as a result of trauma and crises.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

Admission to the programme.

Grading scale

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

Skills

The student

General competence

The student

Examiners

Emnet legger opp til et blandet opplegg med flest digitale dager, som innebærer selvstudium av digitale forelesninger og ressurser og digital spørretime, og noen fysiske forelesninger og studiegrupper.