This book offers insights and perspectives from a study of "Cultural Encounters in Intervention Against Violence" (CEINAV) in four EU-countries. Seeking a deeper understanding of the underpinnings of intervention practices in Germany, Portugal, Slovenia and the United Kingdom, the team explored variations in institutional structures and traditions of law, policing, and social welfare. Theories of structural inequality and ethics are discussed and translated into practice. Using a shared qualitative methodology, space was created to listen to professionals discussing the challenges of intervention and as well to hear voices of women who had escaped domestic violence or trafficking for sexual exploitation and of young people who had been taken into care due to abuse or neglect. Voices of professionals as well as of women and young people who have experienced intervention illuminate how and why practices may differ. The authors examine how existing theories can illuminate complex inequalities or encompass the experiences of minorities against the background of European colonial history, and what streams of ethical theory apply to the dilemmas and challenges of intervention practice. Analytical descriptions of the legal-institutional frameworks for each of the three forms of violence set the stage for comparison. Drawing on a rich store of empirical data, five chapters discuss key issues facing policy-makers and practitioners seeking effective strategies of intervention that can diminish violence while strengthening the agency of women and children. Unique among comparative studies, CEINAV integrated creative art workshops into the research and involved both professionals and survivors of violence in the process. "Reflections" include a discussion of different intervention cultures in Europe, alongside working with different voices and making cultural encounters visible through art. Overall the authors argue that overcoming violence cannot be achieved by standardising procedure but require an ethical foundation, for which they offer a proposal.

Bestselling author Joyce Meyer explores the true path to emotional healing through God's love.

Many people seem to have it all together outwardly, but inside they are a wreck. Their past has broken, crushed, and wounded them. They can be healed. God has a plan to heal the broken hearted and he wants to heal victims of abuse.Joyce Meyer was a victim of physical and sexual abuse she suffered as a child. Yet today she has a worldwide ministry of emotional healing to others like herself. In Beauty for Ashes she outlines major truths that brought healing to her life and describes how other victims of abuse can also experience this healing, which include:

• How to deal with the emotional pain of abuse

• How to understand your responsibility to God for overcoming abuse

• Why victims of abuse often suffer from other addictive behaviors

• How to grab hold of God's unconditional love

• The importance of God's timing in working through painful memories

For over 30 years, Joyce suffered the devastating effects of abuse. God exchanged her ashes for beauty and she wants to help others allow Him to do the same thing in their lives.

DEEP DOWN is a moving, witty, unexpected novel of family secrets, perfect for fans of Naoise Dolan, Katherine Heiny and Megan Nolan Billie and Tom have just found out their father has died. Dislocated from each other and unable to talk about the trauma in their family's past, Billie decides the best thing to do is get on a plane to her brother in Paris. Maybe there they can find a way to heal? As their story veers between present bereavement and flashbacks to growing up, we see the siblings search for common ground and attempt to repair old wounds. Following the tracks of their grief, Billie and Tom find themselves - unexpectedly - lost in the catacombs of Paris, confronting both each other and their own demons. Funny, moving and unexpected, DEEP DOWN is a novel from a huge new talent who readers are going to love.

In "Domestic Violence: Intersectionality and Culturally Competent Practice," experts working with twelve unique groups of domestic abuse survivors provide the latest research on their populations and use a case study approach to demonstrate culturally sensitive intervention strategies. Chapters focus on African Americans, Native Americans, Latinas, Asian and Pacific Island communities, persons with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, women in later life, LGBT survivors, and military families. They address domestic violence in rural environments and among teens, as well as the role of religion in shaping attitudes and behavior.

Lettie L. Lockhart and Fran S. Danis are editors of the Council of Social Work Education's popular teaching modules on domestic violence and founding co-chairs of the CSWE symposium on violence against women and children. In their introduction, they provide a thorough overview of intersectionality, culturally competent practice, and domestic violence and basic practice strategies, such as universal screening, risk assessment, and safety planning. They follow with collaborative chapters on specific populations demonstrating the value of generalist social work practice, including developing respectful relationships that define issues from the survivor's perspective; collecting and assessing data; setting goals and contracting; identifying culturally specific interventions; implementing culturally appropriate courses of action; participating in community-level strategies; and advocating for improved policies and funding at local, state, and federal levels. Featuring resources applicable to both practitioners and clients, Domestic Violence forms an effective tool for analysis and action.

Even the littlest lies can have the biggest consequences... On the night of her mother's wake, only one thing brings Ruby comfort; the knowledge that her mother's killer is safely behind bars. But guilt is eating away at fragile younger sister Sophie, who brought their mother's killer into their lives. This is why Ruby is glad that Sophie is with her supportive boyfriend Ewan, despite Ruby's doubts about him. He's been Sophie's rock, not only taking care of her, but her little kids, too. So what if he doesn't like talking about his past? But when news of another woman's murder spreads through their town like wildfire, Ruby is shocked to find herself with reason to suspect Ewan of the crime. And with one good lie driving a wedge between the sisters, it's hard for Ruby to get Sophie to see what she sees. Ewan is keeping dangerous secrets. But he's not the only person close to home who has something shocking to hide... A gripping and unputdownable thriller that will keep you reading into the early hours of the morning. Read what everyone is saying about One Good Lie:'Oh my GOODNESS!! I absolutely loved this... It got to the point where I was suspecting every single character in the book... The ending was twisty, thrilling, scary and, best of all, satisfying. Truly a wonderful psychological thriller that kept me captivated throughout!' Shalini Boland, author of The Secret Mother, 'I can honestly say that this is psychological fiction at its best. Cleverly written and packed full of chilling suspense... With lots of delicious twists and clashes of personality that could set the pages on fire, One Good Lie ticks all the boxes for me. A hugely satisfying read and one I would highly recommend.' Sheryl Browne, author of My Husband's Girlfriend, 'A clever, creepy and compulsive psychological thriller' Diane Jeffrey, author of The Silent Friend, 'Jane Isaac never lets us down; this is fast-paced storytelling at its best. One Good Lie is a chilling, unputdownable read, packed with menace and suspense... Highly recommended!' Linda Huber, author of Baby Dear, 'One Good Lie had me on the edge of my seat! Every time I thought I had the plot figured out the carpet was pulled from under my feet! Twisty and full of surprises. Highly recommended! 5/5.' NetGalley Reviewer, 'An exciting psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of Ruth Ware, Greer Hendricks, and Sarah Pekkanen... Excellently-written, well-plotted... I sped through this book and finished it in a day... If you're a fan of the thriller genre, you won't regret checking out this book' Goodreads Reviewer, '5 Stars! Highly recommend. It was hard to put this book down. It was a fast-paced story full of suspense. I was hooked from the first chapter... I absolutely loved this story of two sisters.' NetGalley Reviewer, 'I was invested straight away; it was fast-paced and I couldn't put it down.' NetGalley Reviewer, 'Book drought over! Hooked from page one, didn't stop reading until silly o'clock, had a few hours' sleep, walked the dog then dived back in to finish.' Goodreads Reviewer 'Absolutely kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't wait to find out what happened. The ending didn't disappoint. I highly recommend this one.' NetGalley Reviewer, 'This is a brilliant read... The characters are likeable, even the villainous ones, and it just shows you can never really trust anyone who you think you know.' Goodreads Reviewer,

"What a breath of fresh air. [This book] takes on the entrenched and very powerful. Superb stuff. . . . Exhilarating."--Archbishop Desmond Tutu

"Here is a searching and spirited story of human intimacy as it sometimes descends into aggression: violence inflicted and vulnerability endured--a melancholy story told with thoughtfulness, with sensitivity, and with a brave willingness to consider the subtleties and ironies of affliction perpetrated and endured."--Robert Coles, Harvard University, editor of "DoubleTake" magazine, and author of "The Secular Mind"

"Mills is thoughtful, nuanced, and original in her analysis of intimate abuse. With compassionate insight, she reveals how insult can lead to injury and outlines a practical alternative path to healing and safety. "This is a feminist critique, and a survivor's, of a mandated one-size-fits-all approach to punishing domestic violence. Mills moves our thinking beyond unilateralism, beyond bilateralism, to a multilateral approach to repairing lives shattered by violence. It poses a profound challenge to existing orthodoxy and should spawn a generation of empirical research to refute, refine. and vindicate its analysis."--John Braithwaite, Australian National University

"Insult to Injury will change the public relationship to intimate violence: "Linda Mills mines the depths of our personal denial, challenging us to return to what we somehow already know. She'll take hits for the honesty--and the expectations it holds out to us. But she's done the long labor of real scholarship, building a sturdy bridge to these next dangerous steps of trust."--Adrian Nicole LeBlanc, author of "Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Agein the Bronx"

"In this book, Linda Mills generates a bold and provocative thesis. While some may disagree with her, her views must be taken into account in the conversation on domestic violence."--Phyllis Goldfarb, Boston College School of Law

"Mills's accomplishment is impressive and courageous. Clearly and even elegantly written, her book offers a way out of the current unproductive debate about the agency of women in abusive relationships."--Christine A. Littleton, Professor of Law and Chair, Women's Studies Programs, UCLA

"Mills is the right person to write this book, and she does an admirable job."--Richard Gelles, author of "The Violent Home and The Book of David: How Preserving Families Can Cost Children's Lives"

"Stunning . . . . This is an immensely courageous story that will break your heart, leave you in tears, and, finally, offer hope and redemption. Brava, Kelly Sundberg." -Rene Denfeld, author of The Child Finder In this brave and beautiful memoir, written with the raw honesty and devastating openness of The Glass Castle and The Liar's Club, a woman chronicles how her marriage devolved from a love story into a shocking tale of abuse-examining the tenderness and violence entwined in the relationship, why she endured years of physical and emotional pain, and how she eventually broke free. "You made me hit you in the face," he said mournfully. "Now everyone is going to know." "I know," I said. "I'm sorry." Kelly Sundberg's husband, Caleb, was a funny, warm, supportive man and a wonderful father to their little boy Reed. He was also vengeful and violent. But Sundberg did not know that when she fell in love, and for years told herself he would get better. It took a decade for her to ultimately accept that the partnership she desired could not work with such a broken man. In her remarkable book, she offers an intimate record of the joys and terrors that accompanied her long, difficult awakening, and presents a haunting, heartbreaking glimpse into why women remain too long in dangerous relationships. To understand herself and her violent marriage, Sundberg looks to her childhood in Salmon, a small, isolated mountain community known as the most redneck town in Idaho. Like her marriage, Salmon is a place of deep contradictions, where Mormon ranchers and hippie back-to-landers live side-by-side; a place of magical beauty riven by secret brutality; a place that takes pride in its individualism and rugged self-sufficiency, yet is beholden to church and communal standards at all costs. Mesmerizing and poetic, Goodbye, Sweet Girl is a harrowing, cautionary, and ultimately redemptive tale that brilliantly illuminates one woman's transformation as she gradually rejects the painful reality of her violent life at the hands of the man who is supposed to cherish her, begins to accept responsibility for herself, and learns to believe that she deserves better.

This accessible text takes a multi-disciplinary approach to exploring issues surrounding domestic violence. It draws on contemporary research findings, policy developments, innovative practice and case studies to explore new directions in professional and voluntary sector responses to domestic violence.

Centred on the United Kingdom, but located in a context of global change, the book discusses and critically evaluates new criminal justice and multi-agency initiatives such as domestic violence courts and risk assessment conferences, as well as assessing how far these initiatives improve the safety of women and children.

Harne and Radford aim to disseminate ideas about best practice in relation to dealing with this sensitive and still controversial issue. They use real-life case studies from professionals, including the police, health services and Women's Aid, and are inclusive of the experiences of a wide range of survivors, in order to enable an understanding of the need for appropriate responses, depending on different survivor needs.

"Tackling Domestic Violence" provides an informed background for professionals in the police, probation, health and social care services, the legal system and voluntary sector with a remit to respond to domestic violence. It is also highly relevant to those undertaking courses on domestic violence at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

People with mental health problems are more likely to be victims of domestic violence than the general population. This book gives practical guidance on how mental health professionals can identify and respond to domestic violence experienced by their patients. It covers the prevalence of domestic violence, its association with mental health problems and the current evidence base on effective interventions to reduce abuse and improve mental health. It includes liaison with other agencies, such as social care, the police and the domestic violence sector, and gives information on relevant medico-legal issues in order to prepare professionals to present evidence in court. Comprehensive resource for mental health professionals. Practical advice on how to help those affected by domestic violence. Written by international experts on this major public health problem.

From Title IX cases on campus, to #metoo and #timesup, rape is a definitive issue at the heart of feminism, and lately, it's barely out of the news. Cultural critic Mithu Sanyal is picking up where Susan Brownmiller left off in her influential 1975 book Against Our Will. In fact, she argues that the way we understand rape hasn't changed since then, even as the world has changed beyond recognition. She contends that it is high time for a new and informed debate about rape, sexual boundaries and consent. Sanyal argues that the way we as a society understand rape tells us not just how we understand sexual violence, but how we understand sex, sexuality, and gender itself. For instance, why is it so hard to imagine men as victims of rape? Why do we expect victims to be irreparably damaged? When we think of rapists, why do we still think of strangers in dark alleys, rather than uncles, husbands, priests, or boyfriends? The book examines the role of race and the trope of the black rapist, the omission of male victims, and what we mean when we talk about rape culture. She provocatively takes every received opinion we have about rape, and turns it inside out - arguing with liberals, conservatives, feminists and sexists alike.

Freedoms Flowers is a book about the effects of domestic abuse on children. It is composed of firsthand accounts from these children and their mothers. Some of the children write as adults from memory and some are male. The youngest contributor is eight years old. Their stories describe not only the abuse from the perpetrators but the dreadful collusion from the so called professionals who should have been protecting the victims instead of worsening the effects of the abuse. This book should be read by every teacher, social worker, solicitor, judge and member of the medical profession who comes in to contact with any aspect of domestic abuse. It should be read by every woman who is staying with an abuser for the sake of the children. Every woman whose children wet the bed, throw tantrums and attack other children should read this. Every woman whose children have been taken into care should also read this. The book also sends a strong message about hope. The contributors describe how their lives were saved when they attended the Freedom Programme. They did not need therapy or threats to save their children from abuse. They only needed information to enable them to make informed decisions. Knowledge is power

Obsession, jealousy, lust, revenge ... There is nothing more dangerous than a passion that curdles and spills into murder. Love, when it goes wrong and spirals into violence, leads to the most chilling and tragic consequences. Death at the hands of a partner or ex-partner is the most common form of murder for women, far outnumbering the risk of death from a stranger. Obsessional sexual desire is the common thread through the stories in this book, tragic examples of how death can come at the hands of a once trusted and loved partner. There is the story of talented US landscape artist Jill Cahill, whose husband was not content with battering his wife to a pulp but went back to finish the job while she lay in her hospital bed. There is the case of Martha Freeman from Tennessee, who hid her lover in her wardrobe, and then teamed up with him to murder her husband. There is the wife whose body was found in the boot of her own car, and whose husband had framed his girlfriend for the crime, hoping to get rid of two women from his life. UK student John Tanner served a twelve-year sentence for the murder of his girlfriend, and is now back behind bars for another attack, on another partner. British soldier Emile Cilliers tried to murder his wife by cutting the cords of her parachute; however, while he may not have succeeded, Belgian teacher and amateur skydiver Els Clotterman did when she cut her love rival's cords five years earlier. These, and many others, are the stories of fatal attraction that dominate the pages of this book.

A terrible act of violence. A chance occurrence - or something more sinister?On a beautiful summer afternoon, Stacey Sullivan is getting married to Mark James. But then screams smother the laughter, police sirens drown out the church bells. Out of nowhere, a drug-fuelled gunman opens fire on the wedding party. The shooter is beaten, disarmed and detained by the guests. No one knows who the gunman is... or if they do, they're not admitting it. The job of solving the two murders is laid solely at the feet of DI Charley Mann. Could this be a random attack, or a pre-planned assassination? When information comes to light of a link to feuding drug-dealing families in Manchester, Charley's team need to act rapidly. They need to find - and apprehend - those responsible. Fast. It soon becomes clear: if they fail, more deaths are coming... An utterly compelling crime thriller that won't let go, perfect for fans of J. M. Dalgliesh, Ann Cleeves and Angela Marsons.

One Saturday morning, Beverly Gooden is woken by her husband shoving her off the bed. She makes to flee, but he catches her, his sudden anger inexplicable. No words are exchanged. He begins to strangle her - as he has done many times before. With unflinching vulnerability, Gooden outlines in painstaking detail what she had to do to walk away from violence and control, and how others can use her experiences to escape their own abuse, from skimming the grocery money, to squirreling away personal belongings, to navigating a domestic violence shelter. She offers strategies for overcoming the barriers survivors often face, such as money, housing, overcritical social circles, or, most powerfully: love. Uniquely compassionate when it comes to the heartbreak of still loving one's abuser, Gooden shares how she transformed and extended this love outward, using her story to encourage others to choose themselves. The voice and fire behind #WhyIStayed, Bev Gooden is exceptionally positioned to explore the many reasons victims stay in abusive relationships, and how they can muster the resources and motivation to leave. Surviving is unlike any other memoir of survivorship, given its nuance, compassion, and candour. Above all, it is an exquisitely powerful testament to Gooden's healing, survivorship, and dedication to helping others do the same.

Winner of the CWA Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction. A letter arrives. You've got an appointment with a trainee clinical psychologist on April 29, 2008. You don't attend. Another letter arrives. It says they don't normally reschedule appointments, but they know this is hard for you, so they're offering you another appointment. It's on May 13, 2008. You don't attend. Two years later you shoot three people and shoot yourself. You will be called a monster. You will be called evil. The prime minister, David Cameron, will stand up in Parliament and say you were a callous murderer, end of story. You have nine days and your whole life to prove you are more than a callous murderer. Go. Raoul Moat became notorious one hot July week when, after killing his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend, shooting her in the stomach, and blinding a policeman, he disappeared into the woods of Northumberland, evading discovery for seven days. Eventually, cornered by the police, Moat shot himself. Here, Andrew Hankinson re-tells Moat's story using Moat's words, and those of the state services which engaged with him, bringing the reader disarmingly close, at all times, to the mind of Moat.

Narcissistic abuse. Two horrible words with huge consequences to physical and mental wellbeing. This book gives practical steps that can be taken to avoid getting into an abusive relationship in the first place, how to get out of an abusive relationship and recover from abuse. The Practical Guide to Understanding, Leaving and Recovering from Narcissistic Abuse is a guide to spotting the warning signs with suggestions about how to leave safely and recover from abuse from people who have gone through the traumatic experience personally and understand what you might be going through. This book gives important insights into why it is so easy to get drawn into a romantic relationship with a narcissist and why it is so difficult to leave the relationship, and even harder to recover from it. Discover for yourself the sixteen stages of an abusive relationship, the two pre-leaving stages and the eight recovery phases.

This book takes a global approach to violence between husbands and wives in faith contexts. Focusing primarily on Christians, the book uses anthropological, theological and historical methods, which intersect with, and are challenged by, lay and ordained women and men from sixteen countries. Focusing on marital violence, the book explores ways to understand how various churches, their priests, preachers, theologians and members, approach the topic, interpret the texts, and, with often thoughtless complicity, hide from the sin. Drawing on over a decade researching marital violence in Christian contexts across five continents, Elizabeth Koepping, an anthropologist and priest, presents testimonies from abused women, as well as theological and cultural justifications for spousal abuse employed by perpetrators and bystanders. She argues that if violence against the (female) spouse is understood as proper behaviour by manly men towards unruly wives, Christians may set aside the core text 'Men and women are made in the Image of God', enabling and silently colluding in abuse. The book shows that spousal abuse is an ecumenical phenomenon present all over the inhabited world, and therefore in all Christian churches and indeed other faith traditions.

One guilty secret will tear her life apart...After a series of heart-breaking miscarriages, Kate's marriage is hanging by a thread. When her husband Michael tells her he has shocking news, at first, she thinks the worst - he's been having an affair. It would explain why he's been so distant. Instead, he reveals that the daughter he abandoned twenty years ago is coming to stay. Kate is blindsided by the sudden arrival of Imogen mere hours later. Her new stepdaughter is beautiful but troubled and seems wary of her own father. All the same, Kate is pleased to find herself connecting with Imogen, until one day, Imogen reveals a disturbing secret to her stepmother, making her swear never to tell a soul. With Kate already keeping secrets of her own, she worries her marriage will crumble under the weight of another. But perhaps it's not Imogen's intrusion Kate should be worried about. Perhaps it's Michael's past she should have been looking at all along... A completely addictive domestic suspense novel that will keep you guessing into the early hours of the morning. Perfect for fans of The Stepdaughter, Amanda Robson and Adele Parks. What readers are saying about The Stepmother:'This elegantly written suspense novel quickly drew me in and transported me into the lives of Kate and Michael and their dysfunctional marriage... Compels the reader to keep turning the pages... A very satisfying and well-written novel.' M. M. DeLuca 'Loved this one! So easy to read and lots of twists and turns along the way. Definitely a quick read and one I recommend.' NetGalley Reviewer 'I really enjoyed this book, I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn't put it down, loads of twists & turns to keep one guessing' NetGalley Reviewer 'A marriage in tatters and a shocking surprise. This thriller is just that, thrilling until the end. Definitely not for the faint-hearted.' NetGalley Reviewer 'I really enjoyed this story... It was well written and truly heartfelt... A great read that I would recommend.' NetGalley Reviewer 'An original domestic thriller telling the story of a stepmother caught between the rock and a hard place... Highly recommended!' NetGalley Reviewer 'I really enjoyed this book... A unique perspective on the step-parent spectrum. Carne really makes you think and question the secrets of her characters. The Stepmother is a great read.' NetGalley Reviewer 'This is a story of a marriage failing, death and life's drama. Well written and gripping. This is my first book by Ros Carne and look forward to her next book.' NetGalley Reviewer 'I really enjoyed it. There were enjoyable twists to keep me guessing and I'd definitely read more by this author in the future.' NetGalley Reviewer

Does your partner blame you for his or her own problems?
Does your partner humiliate you, especially in front of others?
Is your partner impossible to please?
Are you convinced something is wrong with you?
Are you too ashamed to admit you are being abused?

In Escaping Emotional Abuse, Beverly Engel, world-renowned therapist and expert in emotional abuse, exposes techniques an abuser uses to break your spirit and gain control - and guides you in how to free yourself from the shame that can keep you from the life, and the love, that you deserve.

By using your deepest fears against you, the abuser strips you of self-esteem, dignity, and humanity - making you feel unworthy and utterly powerless to escape. But you possess a potent tool with which to combat shame: self-compassion. In these pages, Engel shows you how to access it. Using her highly effective Shame Reduction Program, she helps you jumpstart the process of recovery by offering specific steps to help you heal and regain self-confidence.

An invaluable resource for both men and women who suffer from emotional abuse, as well as therapists and advocates, Escaping Emotional Abuse is a supportive, nurturing guide for anyone seeking to break the chains of shame, and gain the emotional freedom to create healthier, lasting relationships.