Criminal justice students from Peru State College (PSC) in the United States have donated funds to the Brisbane Domestic Violence Resource Centre (BDVRC) after completing a unique educational program at UQ recently.
The students raised over $430 for the centre’s support programs for children affected by domestic violence at a fundraising BBQ on June 1, coordinated with assistance from The Bridge, UQ’s student volunteer organisation.
The ten PSC students, who were joined by two students from the University of Nebraska, and lead by PSC Criminal Justice Lecturer Professor Kelly Asmussen, undertook an intensive three-week study abroad program delivered by UQ’s Institute of Continuing & TESOL Education (ICTE-UQ).
The program, delivered as a result of the success of previous similar programs for PSC students, includes a combination of site visits, meetings with government and community workers and guest lectures in Brisbane and Sydney.
“This program is really unique. It provides our students with an opportunity to gain insights into Australian drug, alcohol and domestic violence related crime harm minimisation activities,” Professor Asmussen said.
“It’s a chance for our students to compare US and Australian ways of dealing with these issues through the criminal justice system as well as community and government initiatives.
“Importantly it also allows our students to gain exposure to different cultures, different ways of thinking and looking at these sorts of issues.”
The ICTE-UQ program introduces the students to programs and services including those delivered by the BDVRC, Brisbane Youth Detention Centre, Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre, King’s Cross Police Station and Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets Key College.
Professor Asmussen said working with the BDVRC had encouraged students to apply their skills post-graduation.
“Visits to the centre and seeing the work that it does have directly inspired many of our past students to take up roles in our own local domestic violence crisis centre which provides vital services to families affected by violence across five Nebraska counties,” she said.
BDVRC Interim Coordinator Amanda Whelan said the visit was a welcome way to share knowledge and build advocacy for domestic violence research.
“Domestic violence is a universal issue and the dynamics are often very similar,” Ms Whelan said.
“It’s marvellous that the PSC students are interested in looking at different perspectives on this issue. Their visits to the centre also give our staff the chance to exchange information, share ideas and gain that perspective also.”
Media: Frances Wickerson at ICTE-UQ (07 3346 6709, f.wickerson@icte.uq.edu.au)
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