Objectives: The course will introduce the students to the signs, indicators, and consequences of abuse for victims, to the concept of secondary victims, and pastoral and personal accompaniment of victims of abuse, (restorative) justice, and healing. The course will also bring students to deepen their reflection on the systemic issues of abuses in various settings, in particular, to abuse of children/adults with disabilities, women religious, and war contexts. There will be intercultural reflection throughout the course.

Learning Outcomes: At the end of the course, the students will become aware of how the reality of abuse affects victims, secondary victims, safeguarding personnel, the church, and society. They will be able to properly relate to victim-survivors, assessing their feelings and attitudes. They will be able to create specific ways to (pastorally) care for victims and secondary victims. They will be able to reflect on and become aware of the specific vulnerability for (sexual) abuse created by disability, war contexts, etc. They will be able to reflect on the concept of restorative justice for victims and how community is affected.

Content : Signs and indicators of abuse, forms of assistance and therapy for victims; (pastoral) accompaniment of victims and secondary victims, way to reduce conditions of vulnerability, restorative justice and healing from a multicultural perspective.

Methodology: The course will combine lectures, readings, and seminar discussion and will focus on a range of selected texts.

Means of evaluation : Evaluation will be based on class participation and written papers.