Diploma in Violence and Trauma Studies

Jeannine believes that many mental illnesses are caused through violence and abuse

The AUT Diploma in Violence and Trauma Studies has been running for a decade to provide vocational training in violence, abuse and trauma from a practical and theoretical perspective for those already working or planning to work in social service roles.

Graduates work in the health and justice sector and with community agencies which offer crisis intervention.

They have jobs such as a refuge worker, group facilitator, prison staff, drug and alcohol worker, family support worker, WINZ case worker and within various sectors of mental health.

People can study the NZQA level 6 diploma full-time for one year or part-time for two years at the Akoranga campus on Auckland's North Shore.

Students develop an understanding of theory and practice in this field as well as gain the skills and attitudes necessary to enhance work practice.

Students cover seven papers on personal and professional development, family violence theory and policy, applied perspectives on violence and trauma, critical issues in violence studies, group facilitation and development, violence and trauma interventions, and a practicum in violence and trauma studies consisting of 80 hours of agency-based work.

Full-time students have 12 hours of structured classwork two days each week in the first semester and nine hours in the second semester, plus practical work experience.They are expected to spend at least another 12 hours a week in self-directed study.

The schedule for students choosing to study the diploma part-time is flexible, as long as the papers are done over two years.

Assessment is varied between essays and projects, class presentations, a practicum assessment, a debate, a video of intervention skills and a final oral presentation to a panel of industry practitioners.

The course starts in February and applications close in late November, but late applications are considered.

Each applicant is interviewed.

Applicants ideally come from backgrounds of where they have worked in agencies helping people or are drawn to working in that field.

They need to be people with a sense of self-awareness because the work in this area can be demanding.

The course is not open to school leavers.

It costs a total of $3798 including GST.

THE STUDENT

Jeannine, 48
Case manager
Viviana, Western Women's Refuge
West Auckland
Graduated 2005

I included the Diploma of Violence and Trauma Studies in my Bachelor of Health Science in Applied Mental Health degree papers because I believe that many mental illnesses are caused through violence, trauma and abuse.

I have personal experience of childhood trauma and for that reason I have a passion for encouraging people to treat each other and themselves with respect and dignity.

My employer recognised this within me and I was employed.

The course taught practical skills and presented academic knowledge and research, therefore I was able to start my job with a huge advantage of knowing the reasons why.

In completing the course, I believe I have a deeper understanding of human suffering in this way.

The lecturers are remarkable people who continually challenge their students because they want them to learn and to deal with 'their own stuff'.

I believe obtaining this diploma would give any person an advantage in getting employment in this field and in some cases, like my own, it can be a building block to higher education.

THE EMPLOYER

Glenda Ryan
Chief executive officer
Viviana, the community-based office of the Western Women's Refuge
West Auckland

In the past, I have not asked for new employees to have had any specific training.

However, after having hired staff with the diploma, I would never go past it now. It is very important.

The difference is that graduates have a grounding and understanding of the dynamics and basic principles of domestic violence.

They understand matters like confidentiality and privacy and the differences between rescuing and working in a professional manner.

They have got the theory and the knowledge that work when you are working with women and children in respect of domestic violence.

Obviously it is theory based. People still require on-the-job training.

While their ability to get up and running depends on them personally, having the training that they receive in their course enables this to happen with a better grounding and with deeper understanding. 

The qualification

Diploma in Violence and Trauma Studies
Auckland University of Technology
Phone: 921 9999 ext 7195
Salary: starting $30,000, higher if working in justice system