Violence Against Women And Children

Violence against women and children has reached epidemic proportions. It cuts across all economic strata and is found in our urban centers and the farthest corners of the nation. This is the only sourcebook on domestic violence for clergy and counselors.

Violence against women and children is a serious public health concern, with costs at multiple levels of society. Although violence is a threat to everyone, women and children are particularly susceptible to victimization because they often have fewer rights or lack appropriate means of protection. In some societies certain types of violence are deemed socially or legally acceptable, thereby contributing further to the risk to women and children. In the past decade research has documented the growing magnitude of such violence, but gaps in the data still remain. Victims of violence of any type fear stigmatization or societal condemnation and thus often hesitate to report crimes. The issue is compounded by the fact that for women and children the perpetrators are often people they know and because some countries lack laws or regulations protecting victims. Some of the data that have been collected suggest that rates of violence against women range from 15 to 71 percent in some countries and that rates of violence against children top 80 percent. These data demonstrate that violence poses a high burden on global health and that violence against women and children is common and universal. Preventing Violence Against Women and Children focuses on these elements of the cycle as they relate to interrupting this transmission of violence. Intervention strategies include preventing violence before it starts as well as preventing recurrence, preventing adverse effects (such as trauma or the consequences of trauma), and preventing the spread of violence to the next generation or social level. Successful strategies consider the context of the violence, such as family, school, community, national, or regional settings, in order to determine the best programs.

3.5. Some basic facts.

The first book to interweave clinical and legal perspectives on such recently formulated diagnoses as rape trauma syndrome and battered woman syndrome, this up-to-date resource helps mental health clinicians better understand their role in criminal or civil proceedings related to sexualized violence against women and children. Foundational knowledge is provided on the nature, prevalence, and psychological consequences of a variety of crimes, including rape, spousal abuse, stalking, sexual harassment, and child sexual abuse. The ways victims and perpetrators are dealt with in the legal system are critically examined, and important recent reforms discussed. Presenting guidelines and findings that will improve forensic assessment, this is a vital sourcebook for those called on to serve as expert witnesses and an invaluable student text.

Violence against women is one factor in the growing wave of alarm about violence in American society. High-profile cases such as the O.J. Simpson trial call attention to the thousands of lesser-known but no less tragic situations in which women's lives are shattered by beatings or sexual assault. The search for solutions has highlighted not only what we know about violence against women but also what we do not know. How can we achieve the best understanding of this problem and its complex ramifications? What research efforts will yield the greatest benefit? What are the questions that must be answered? Understanding Violence Against Women presents a comprehensive overview of current knowledge and identifies four areas with the greatest potential return from a research investment by increasing the understanding of and responding to domestic violence and rape: What interventions are designed to do, whom they are reaching, and how to reach the many victims who do not seek help. Factors that put people at risk of violence and that precipitate violence, including characteristics of offenders. The scope of domestic violence and sexual assault in America and its conequences to individuals, families, and society, including costs. How to structure the study of violence against women to yield more useful knowledge. Despite the news coverage and talk shows, the real fundamental nature of violence against women remains unexplored and often misunderstood. Understanding Violence Against Women provides direction for increasing knowledge that can help ameliorate this national problem.

Child abuse, sexual and domestic violence are among the most destructive experiences afflicting women and children. The wide prevalence of such violence takes an enormous toll on the lives of individual victims as well as the larger society, through innumerable behavioral, health, psychological, and economic consequences. While many groups, organizations, and government agencies have been established to identify, prevent, and treat such violence, our response to these problems has been piecemeal and not optimally successful. A coordinated, cross-disciplinary synthesis of what we know, how we know it, and the necessary next steps is sorely needed to enable us to effectively address these issues. Developed as part of an initiative by former APA President Alan Kazdin, this two-volume set aims to provide consensus recommendations for researchers, practitioners, advocates, policymakers, and all those who seek more effective responses to interpersonal violence. In volume 1, experts from diverse disciplines describe prevalence rates among various populations; risk factors for perpetration and vulnerability and protective factors for potential victims. They also document the impact of violence on the victims in terms of psychological, reproductive, maternal and child health, and behavioral and economic consequences. In the process, they establish commonalities across child abuse, sexual and domestic violence, and suggest vital next steps for collaborative efforts. In volume 2, eminent scholars use a public health model to examine current societal responses to interpersonal violence. Authors examine the efficacy of medical and psychological treatments for victims, families, and perpetrators, as well as justice system responses to various forms of child abuse, sexual violence, and domestic violence. Interventions are suggested at several levels of prevention, including initiatives designed to eradicate the problem (primary prevention), reduce it among those at risk (secondary prevention), and minimize the negative consequences of violence and stabilize health (tertiary prevention). Finally, the editors present an integrative conclusion that provides a sound foundation for future responses across practice, research, advocacy and policy, at the local and national level

Controversial and forward-thinking, this volume presents a much-needed analysis of restorative justice practices in cases of violence against women. Advocates, community activists, and scholars will find the theoretical perspectives and vivid case descriptions presented here to be invaluable tools for creating new ways for abused women to find justice.

This collaborative text captures the complexity of issues related to domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual abuse.

Too prevalent to ignore : violence against women, its prevalence, and health consequences / García-Moreno, C., Stockl, H. -- Gender-based violence in the Middle-East : a review / Madi Skaff, J. -- Violence against women in Latin America / Gaviria A., S.L. -- Violence against women in south Asia / Niaz, U. -- Violence against women in Europe : magnitude and the mental health consequences described by different data sources / Helweg-Larsen, K. -- Intimate partner violence as a risk factor for mental health in South Africa / Jewkes, R. -- Intimate partner violence and mental health / Oram, S., Howard, L.M. -- Sexual assault and women's mental health / Martin, S.L., Parcesepe, A.M. -- Child sexual abuse of girls / MacMillan, H.L., Wathen, C.N. -- Sexual violence and armed conflict : a systematic review of psychosocial support interventions / Stavrou, V. -- Abuse and trafficking among female migrants and refugees / Kastrup, M. -- Abuse in doctor-patient relationships / Tschan, W. -- Workplace harassment based on sex : a risk factor for women's mental health / Cortina, L.M., Leskinen, E.A. -- Violence against women and suicidality : does violence cause suicidal behaviour? / Devries, K.M., Seguin, M. -- Violence against women suffering from severe psychiatric illness / Rondon, M.B. -- Violence against women and mental health : conclusions / García-Moreno, C., Riecher-Rössler, A.

The Third Edition of this comprehensive volume covers the current state of research, theory, prevention, and intervention regarding violence against women. The book’s 15 chapters are divided into three parts: theoretical and methodological issues in researching violence against women; types of violence against women; and, new to this edition, programs that work. Featuring new chapters, pedagogy, sections on controversies in the field, and autobiographical essays by leaders in grassroots anti-violence work, the Third Edition has been designed to encourage discussion and debate, to address issues of diversity and cultural contexts, and to examine inequalities of race and ethnicity, social class, physical ability, sexual orientation, and geographic location.