This book is intended to provide comprehensive information about domestic violence; what it is, its causes, the extent of the problem, whom it affects, available services, and possible solutions. To provide the reader with a broad and in-depth view of the issue, domestic violence is explored from historical, social, psychological, and legal perspectives. Because the problem is very old but public acceptance of domestic violence as a legitimate problem is fairly recent, there are differing perspectives and conflicting attitudes regarding the cause and possible solutions. I have tried to provide various perspectives, facts, and statistics, and enough information from actual cases to allow the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. The book should also provide readers with the tools necessary to access readily additional information on domestic violence and related topics. Chapter 5 lists nationwide organizations, each of which has statistics, journals, newsletters, and other forms of information available to the public. Chapters 6 and 7 are complete and annotated bibliographies that will allow the reader to continue to research any aspect of domestic violence he or she desires.
Domestic violence is put in historical context as a pervasive problem in most societies. The aspects discussed in Domestic Violence include myths and statistics, effects of domestic violence on children, important legal cases and court actions, programs for victims and abusers, and a state-by-state directory of leading agencies and organizations.
The book deals primarily with the issue of male violence against women, though it also contains information on same-sex battering, elder abuse, abuse of the disabled, and abuse of men by women. This work is an indispensable reference work for students, teachers, shelter staffs, and legislators, as well as social workers and mental health professionals.