| CODE | PLC5631 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | On Safeguarding of Minors | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Pastoral Theology, Liturgy and Canon Law | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Pastoral ministry is essentially linked to the promotion of the welfare of the human person and, correspondingly, to the prevention of any harm or abuse. This study-unit is an introduction in the field of safeguarding of minors, with a particular focus on pastoral care. It presents students with the foundation knowledge related to the causes, dynamics and effects of abuse of children and young people, the key standards, values and principles of safeguarding, the main principles of self-care, and the basic ethical and legal obligations for those working with minors. Study-Unit Aims: The study-unit aims to equip participants with the basic awareness and skills to understand the depth of traumas caused by abuse, to create a safe space and promote the welfare of children and young people, to elaborate preventive measures and reduce risk factors, and to recognise and respond effectively to the indicators of abuse. The unit also seeks to help students to appreciate the importance of a proper vetting, recruiting and monitoring when it comes to people working or interacting with minors. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. list the key standards, values and principles of safeguarding; 2. identify different causes, dynamics and effects of abuse; 3. outline the main characteristics or behaviours of potential victims or perpetrators of abuse; 4. discuss protective measures that reduce the possibility of abuse; 5. explain the need to provide care and support to victims. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. implement key safeguarding principles within their respective settings; 2. evaluate the efficiency of particular safeguarding structures; 3. identify potential limitations of reporting mechanisms; 4. detect signs and symptoms of abuse of minors; 5. recommend interventions and courses of action to prevent abuse. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Goodyear-Brown, P. (2011). (Ed.). Handbook of Child Sexual Abuse: Identification, Assessment, and Treatment. (New York: John Wiley and Sons). - Maltese Ecclesiastical Province (2014). On Cases of Sexual Abuse in Pastoral Ministry. Statement of Policy and Procedures in Cases of Sexual Abuse (Malta). - Demasure, K., Fuchs, K.A. & Zollner H. (2018). (Eds.) Safeguarding. Reflecting on Child Abuse, Theology and Care (Leuven: Peteers). - Pope Francis (2019). Apostolic Letter Vos Estis Lux Mundi (Vatican City). - Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (2020). Vademecum on Certain Points of Procedure in Treating Cases of Sexual Abuse of Minors committed by Clerics (Vatican City). - Moore, J. (2020). The ABC of Child Protection. (London: Taylor and Francis). Supplementary Readings: - Hughes, L. & Owen, H. (2009). (Eds.). Good Practice in Safeguarding Children: Working Effectively in Child Protection. (London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers). - Friggs, B. (2012). Child Protection. The Essential Guide for Teachers and Other Professionals whose Work Involves Children. (Australia: Woodslane Pty Ltd). - Bohm, B., Zollner, H., Fegert, J. M. & Liebhardt H. (2014). Child Sexual Abuse in the Context of the Roman Catholic Church: A Review of Literature from 1981-2013. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 23, 635-656. - Crossen-Tower, C. (2014). Confronting Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse. (Thousand Oaks, C.A.: Sage Publications Inc). - Pope Francis (2018). Letter to the People of God (Vatican City). - Laws of Malta (2020). Cap. 602: Minor Protection (Alternative Care) Act. - Government of Malta (2020). Mandatory Reporting Guidelines for professionals in terms of the Minor Protection (Alternative Care) Act, Cap. 602 of the Laws of Malta. - Keeping Children Safe (2020). The International Child Safeguarding Standards. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Ruth Farrugia Paul Galea Mark Pellicano Kevin Schembri Damian Spiteri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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