MCCCD Program Description

Victimology and Crisis Management in Public Safety

Course: AJS258

First Term: 2023 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Victimology, the criminal justice system, techniques of crisis intervention and management, and the importance of a multicultural and global perspective. Includes violent crimes, sexual assault, family violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, the role of substance abuse, developing effective coping skills of victims and responders, appropriate community resources, and the cultural responsiveness of the justice system.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Explain the historical, cultural, and social forces and events causing philosophical shifts and changes in laws, as well as responses to and resources for crime victims. (I) 2. Identify major data sources for measuring crime and the extent, trends, and patterns of crime victimization. (II) 3. Analyze the issues associated with various types of victimization, including violent and property crimes, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking, intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect, elder abuse, and school and workplace violence. (III, IV) 4. Explain the various functions of public safety crisis response teams and the role of counseling, community services, and victim assistance programs. (III, IV) 5. Describe the causes of crises and processes for interventions, as well as relevant treatment modalities and their cultural relativity. (III, IV) 6. Discuss the significance of diversity in all its forms when considering the perpetrator, the victim, the professional helpers, and the global/geographical context. (II-V) 7. Explain the process of making referrals to local and national resources and communicating with interdisciplinary colleagues. (IV) 8. Assess proven techniques for managing burnout and stress in light of the helper’s personality and coping styles. (V)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. History of victimology A. Past responses to victims B. Evolution of definitions and theories C. The victims rights movement D. Impact of cultural and social forces II. Crime data A. Sources B. Crime patterns and trends 1. Victims 2. Perpetrators 3. Geographical areas C. Interpretation D. Ethical analysis E. Application III. Types of crimes and responses A. Property crimes B. Crimes against persons C. Services and interventions IV. Culturally responsive crisis intervention and treatment modalities A. Rapport and interpersonal communication B. Common “mainstream” modalities C. Culturally responsive treatments V. Psychological and emotional resilience for first responders A. Vicarious trauma B. Coping skills and stress management C. Managing burnout D. Multicultural and ethical considerations

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 28, 2023

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.