Providing a comprehensive introduction to the etiology, prevalence, treatment, and prevention of family violence, this title is updated and expanded to achieve a deeper understanding of current trends within the field.

A thoroughly updated and expanded new edition, Family Violence Across the Lifespan, helps students achieve a deeper understanding of the methodology, etiology, prevalence, treatment, and prevention of family violence. Research from experts in the fields of psychology, sociology, criminology, and social welfare are woven together to provide broad coverage of current viewpoints and debates within the field of domestic violence study. Practice and policy considerations provide new and welcome perspectives, and in addition, informal interviews with leading authorities in the field of violence add depth and clarity to the topics. Organized chronologically, chapters cover child physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; courtship violence and date rape; spouse abuse, battered women, and batterers; and elder abuse.

INTRODUCTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CHAPTER 1 - HISTORY AND DEFINITIONS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE

Violence in Families

Why are Families Violent?

Discovering Family Violence: How Social Conditions Become Social Problems

Defining Family Violence: Understanding the Social Construction of Deviance Definitions

Introducing Issues in Practice, Policy and Prevention

Summary

Goals of the Book

Discussion Questions

Recommended Readings CHAPTER 2 - RESEARCH METHODOLOGY, ASSESSMENT, AND THEORIES: INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM OF FAMILY VIOLENCE

Introduction

Case History #2A: Juanita's Broken Heart and Broken Body

Studying Family Violence: A Multidisciplinary Effort

Theoretical Explanations of Family Violence

Methodology: How Researchers Try To Answer Questions about Family Violence

Practice, Policy, and Prevention Issues

Discussion Questions

Suggested Readings CHAPTER 3: CHILD PHYSICAL ABUSE

Chapter Outline

Introduction

Case History: Kevin Fell Off of His Razor

Scope of the Problem

Chapter Summary

Searching For Patterns: Characteristics of Victims and Perpetrators

Consequences Associated With Child Physical Abuse

Practice, Policy, and Prevention Issues

Summary

Discussion Questions

Recommended Reading CHAPTER 4: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Chapter Outline

Introduction

Case History: Sashim's Secret

Scope of the Problem

Searching For Patterns: Characteristics of Victims and Perpetrators

Dynamics and Consequences Associated With Sexual Abuse

Explaining Child Sexual Abuse

Practice, Policy, and Prevention Issues

Summary

Discussion Questions

Recommended Reading CHAPTER 5: CHILD NEGLECT

Chapter Outline

Introduction

Case History: Will and Mark: "Where Are the Parents?"

Scope of the Problem

Searching For Patterns: Characteristics of Children, Parents, and Families of Neglect

Consequences Associated With Child Neglect

Practice, Policy, and Prevention Issues

Summary

Discussion Questions

Recommended Reading CHAPTER 6: CHILD PSYCHOLOGICAL MALTREATMENT

Chapter Outline

Introduction

Case History: Tough Love or Psychological Maltreatment?

Scope of the Problem

Searching For Patterns: Characteristics of Victims and Perpetrators

Section Summary

Consequences Associated With Psychological Maltreatment

Practice, Policy, and Prevention Issues

Summary

Discussion Questions

Recommended Readings

Explaining Child Physical Abuse CHAPTER 7: KEY ISSUES IN THE FIELD OF CHILD MALTREATMENT

Chapter Outline

Introduction

The Criminal Justice System Response to Child Maltreatment

Cultural and International Issues in Child Maltreatment

Additional Forms of Child Maltreatment

Collateral Effects of Child Maltreatment

Unifying The Field Of Child Maltreatment

Summary

Discussion Questions

Recommended Reading CHAPTER 8: DATING VIOLENCE, STALKING, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

Case History #8a: Ivana and Bruce - Teaching Her a Lesson

Introduction

Scope of the Problem

Searching For Patterns: Characteristics of Perpetrators and Victims of Dating Violence, Stalking, and Sexual Assault

Explaining Dating Violence, Stalking, and Sexual Assault

Practice, Policy, and Prevention Issues

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

Recommended Readings CHAPTER 9: INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE (IPV) IN ADULT RELATIONSHIPS

Case History #9A: Kree Kirkman: Getting Even With the Woman You No Longer Love

Introduction

Scope of the Problem

Outcomes of Intimate Partner Violence

Explaining Intimate Personal Violence

Practice, Policy, and Prevention Issues

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

Recommended Readings CHAPTER 10: INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE: ABUSED PARTNERS

Case History #10A: Lisa-Staying for Better or Worse

Introduction

Blaming Battered Victims

Consequences of Being a Battered Woman

Remaining with an Abuser

Practice, Policy, and Prevention

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

Recommended Reading CHAPTER 11: INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE: ABUSIVE PARTNERS

Case History #11A: Ari and Bernadette - When a Little Slap is a Knock-Out Punch

Introduction

Descriptions of Batterers

Becoming and Remaining a Batterer

Practice, Policy, and Prevention Issues

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

Recommended Reading CHAPTER 12: ABUSE OF ELDERS AND THE DISABLED

Case History #12A: Jenny and Jeff Jr. - "Dwindling Assets, Dwindling Devotion"

Introduction

Scope of the Problem

Searching For Patterns: Who Is Abused And Who Are The Abusers?

Explaining Abuse of Elders and the Disabled

Practice, Policy, and Prevention Issues

Chapter Summary

Discussion Questions

Recommended Reading CHAPTER 13 - WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?

Introduction

Condemning Culturally Accepted Violence

Advocating for a Public Policy Commitment to Preventing Family Violence

Joining, Giving, and Volunteering

Summary