This volume addresses the varied response to domestic violence in a comparative, international context. The chapters are laid out in a consistent format, to cover: the nature of the domestic violence problem, theoretical explanations, the criminal justice response, as well as health care and social service interventions in each country. The intent of the book is to provide an introduction to the attitudes and responses to domestic violence in various regions, to provide meaningful comparisons and share information on best practices for different populations and regions. There are considerable variations to domestic violence approaches across cultures and regions. In some places, it is considered a "private" or "family" matter, which can help it perpetuate. At the same time, the United States' approach to domestic violence has been criticized by some as being too focused on the criminal justice system, rather than other types of interventions which aim to keep families intact. This comprehensive work aims to highlight innovative approaches from several regions, important cultural sensitivities and concerns, and provide analysis to identify the strengths and weakness of various approaches. This work will be of interest to researchers in criminology and criminal justice, as well as related fields who deal with domestic violence and violence against women, including sociology and social work, and international justice. Practitioners and policymakers will also find it informative.

This volume addresses the varied response to domestic violence in a comparative, international context. The chapters are laid out in a consistent format, to cover: the nature of the domestic violence problem, theoretical explanations, the criminal justice response, as well as health care and social service interventions in each country. The intent of the book is to provide an introduction to the attitudes and responses to domestic violence in various regions, to provide meaningful comparisons and share information on best practices for different populations and regions. There are considerable variations to domestic violence approaches across cultures and regions. In some places, it is considered a "private" or "family" matter, which can help it perpetuate. At the same time, the United States' approach to domestic violence has been criticized by some as being too focused on the criminal justice system, rather than other types of interventions which aim to keep families intact. This comprehensive work aims to highlight innovative approaches from several regions, important cultural sensitivities and concerns, and provide analysis to identify the strengths and weakness of various approaches. This work will be of interest to researchers in criminology and criminal justice, as well as related fields who deal with domestic violence and violence against women, including sociology and social work, and international justice. Practitioners and policymakers will also find it informative.

A fresh look at the response to domestic violence in the United States today by experts in their field. Responding to Domestic Violence explores the response to domestic and intimate partner violence by the criminal justice system as well as public and non-profit social service and health care agencies. After providing a brief theoretical overview of the causes of domestic violence and its prevalence in society, the expert author team covers such key topics as barriers to intervention, variations in arrest practices, the role of state and federal legislation, and case prosecution. Focusing on both survivors and offenders, the book provides a thorough exploration of modern strategies to address the realities and needs of all survivors. The new edition offers new chapters on Special Populations at Risk, Victim Services, Coercive Control, Intimate Partner Stalking, and Civil and Criminal Protection Orders. All remaining chapters have been substantially or completely rewritten to reflect the growing body of research in the field.

This comprehensive overview of domestic violence against women and children in America covers the services meant to combat it, the legal approaches to prosecuting it, the public's attitudes toward it, and the successes and failures of systems meant to address it. The fight to end domestic violence consists of community-based services for battered women, laws and policies to combat the problem, a broad spectrum of frequently-innovative programs to protect or otherwise support abused women and children, a dramatic shift in media portrayals of violence against women, and a growing public critique of unacceptable forms of power and control in relationships. These volumes offer another weapon in that battle. Violence against Women in Families and Relationships takes stock of all of the ways in which legislation, programs and services, and even public attitudes have impacted victims, offenders, and communities over the last few decades. Contributors pay special attention to how race, class, and cultural differences affect the experience of abuse. They explore the efficacy of interventions, and they provide compelling real-life examples to illustrate issues and challenges. Our society has made an enormous investment in stopping abuse in families and relationships, but numerous questions still remain. Many of those questions are answered in these pages, as experts uncover the realities of domestic violence and the toll it takes on families, individuals, communities, and society at large.

Previously the only book in the field that provided a strong focus on the criminal justice system's responses to domestic violence, this new edition has been expanded to also provide a comprehensive overview of public and non-profit social service and healthcare services and interventions. This book covers both the victim's and the offender's perspective and discusses the needs, preferences and satisfaction for intervention, as well as the impact of interventions. The diversity in victims is also examined, suggesting that this not only impacts their needs, preferences, and attitudes, but also differentially impacts service needs and impact of interventions. Attention is also given to the diversity among offenders and how this impacts the efficacy of various intervention strategies. This new edition has also been expanded to include more student-friendly material: end-of-chapter summaries and review questions, "Best Practices" sidebars, victim and offender case studies, and interviews with figures in the field.

Since empirical research on domestic violence began in the 1970s, it has become clear that without intervention, significant percentages of domestic violence cases escalate into more serious incidents. However, with the exception of cases resulting in homicides, there are no reliable criminal justice statistics that document the rates of serious domestic violence incidents. What, then, are the most effective means--in terms of safety and cost--of protecting victims? Featuring writings from noted contributors, Do Arrests and Restraining Orders Work? grapples with the markedly different results of research and analyses on the effectiveness of arrests and restraining orders. This probing volume examines the proper role of arrest and the degree to which the criminal justice system can rely on restraining orders to prevent domestic and other kinds of violence. Representing a wide array of research methods, the chapters include a variety of perspectives, including those from police, prosecutors, the judiciary, and probation officers. Timely and provocative, Do Arrests and Restraining Orders Work? asks the challenging questions that will help the criminal justice system move toward effective solutions. This volume is an excellent resource for students as well as researchers and academics in criminology and for a wide array of criminal justice professionals, including police management personnel, attorneys, and policymakers.

The markedly increased attention focused on violence within families has gripped the concerned interest not only of academic researchers but also that of the public and its law enforcement and criminal justice segments. Contemporary recognition of the widespread problem of abuse within the home, often dramatically and poignantly detailed, has not, however, led to clear and universally accepted public institutional responses. This authoritative volume presents a comprehensive evaluation of approaches, policies, and practical enforcement measures that have been effected by law enforcement and criminal justice bodies.

The development of changes in social attitudes to spousal abuse; the role of the police and the practical interventions they may impose when contacted; the ramifications which decisions to prosecute may have on defendants' subsequent behavior; and the victims' responses to public interventions are topics that are all covered by this book. It is a current, substantive, and practically instructive volume on a social issue of vital importance.

Since empirical research on domestic violence began in the 1970s, it has become clear that without intervention, significant percentages of domestic violence cases escalate into more serious incidents. However, with the exception of cases resulting in homicides, there are no reliable criminal justice statistics that document the rates of serious domestic violence incidents. What, then, are the most effective means--in terms of safety and cost--of protecting victims? Featuring writings from noted contributors, Do Arrests and Restraining Orders Work? grapples with the markedly different results of research and analyses on the effectiveness of arrests and restraining orders. This probing volume examines the proper role of arrest and the degree to which the criminal justice system can rely on restraining orders to prevent domestic and other kinds of violence. Representing a wide array of research methods, the chapters include a variety of perspectives, including those from police, prosecutors, the judiciary, and probation officers. Timely and provocative, Do Arrests and Restraining Orders Work? asks the challenging questions that will help the criminal justice system move toward effective solutions. This volume is an excellent resource for students as well as researchers and academics in criminology and for a wide array of criminal justice professionals, including police management personnel, attorneys, and policymakers.