VCU | Department of Sociology | Graduate Program | Certificate Home

The Department of Sociology offers a graduate certificate program in the area of gender violence. In response to increasing reports of gender violence, and its status as a major social and public health problem facing the residents of Virginia as well as other states and communities nationwide, there is a growing need for services in the area of sexual and domestic violence. While many of the initial organized responses to sexual and domestic violence were among grass-roots organizations committed to social change, these organizations have evolved and developed into more comprehensive programs providing a variety of services that pose unique challenges and responses. The administration and provision of these services require specific areas of knowledge and skills that fit both the mission and areas of expertise of VCU's Department of Sociology and would complement the existing professional training in these areas.

The program reflects a collaborative effort between faculty from the Department of Sociology, as well as other departments and programs at VCU, and community advocates working in the area of sexual and domestic violence. The goal is to create a comprehensive approach to training in this area based on shared resources, skills, knowledge and effort.

Grounding this certificate program in sociology facilitates a socio-historical exploration of gender violence in social contexts and its social construction within social institutions including the family, education, media, sports, the military, church, and political and health care systems. The sociological perspective focuses on the intersections of gender, race, social class, sexuality and ability around issues related to sexual and domestic violence. The CGVI's focus on sexual and domestic violence includes stalking, sexual harassment, bullying, rape, and battering experienced in intimate relationships as well as among strangers. The focus is primarily on what is often termed “gender violence,” defined as “any sexual and domestic, organizational, or politically oriented violation perpetrated against people due to their gender identity, sexual orientation, or location in the hierarchy of male-dominated social systems such as families, military organizations, or the labor force.” (O'Toole, Laura and Jessica R. Schiffman, eds. 1997. Gender violence: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. New York and London : New York University Press, p. xii.)

The CGVI is geared to both undergraduates planning to enter the field of sexual and domestic violence, as well as those currently working in the field seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge, and/or change positions within the field. The program will train participants in critical areas to fulfill occupational responsibilities that include contacts with the victims and survivors of gender and domestic violence. Agencies within the field include advocacy organizations, crisis centers/shelters, social services, mental health, public health, medical, law enforcement and policy fields.

The program trains participants in the following skills:
•  Oral and written communication skills
•  Program design and evaluation
•  Planning, feasibility and needs assessment
•  Data management, analysis and presentation
•  Application of theories to organizational problems, community development and planned change
•  Developing, implementing, evaluating best-practice intervention strategies

The CGVI also provides knowledge in the following areas:
•  Causes, consequences, prevention strategies from a sociological perspective
•  Definitions of sexual and domestic violence
•  Relevant issues in a variety of public and private settings
•  Cutting-edge and controversial issues related to sexual and domestic violence
•  Multi-cultural approaches to diverse populations (e.g. immigrant groups, people with disabilities, gay and lesbian communities, racial/ethnic minorities) and their experiences with sexual and domestic violence

Virginia Commonwealth University | Department of Sociology
Date last modified: September 13, 2005